Latest News

A new focus sheet that describes how to use box cutters safely is now available for University units and departments to download, print and share with personnel who use box cutters.

Updated April 10, 2023

EH&S is offering a Low Voltage Electrical Safety training course which is required for University electricians, welders, and other personnel who are assigned to work with (or near) exposed electrical circuits operating at 50 to 600 volts to ground in accordance with the Washington Administrative Code (WAC 296-24 Part L).  

The University’s Emergency Management and Office of Research have provided guidance to the research community to assist with business continuity planning. As a supplement to these resources and in response to requests for assistance at the lab level, EH&S has prepared a Guide to Business Continuity and Recovery Planning for Laboratories and Research Facilities.

Each year thousands of workers are killed and millions more injured or diseased because of their jobs. Please join us on Worker Memorial Day to honor those who have died in 2022 from a work-related injury or illness in King County. 

The University of Washington Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences annual Worker Memorial Day event is a special ceremony that raises awareness about how we can strengthen our commitment to make jobs safer and save lives in Washington state.

EH&S needs the information you provide in the Chemical Waste Collection Request for safety, legal, and logistical reasons. 

Safety: Knowing the potential hazards associated with each container allows EH&S staff to prepare for safely evaluating, handling, transporting, and storing chemicals prior to disposal. 

An updated March 2023 version of the UW Biosafety Manual is now available online. The changes made to the manual were limited to administrative updates, including updating web hyperlinks and minor grammar or language changes. Note: The recent administrative updates are not recorded on the log of changes. Please refer to the log of changes for content changes made in 2021.

UW personnel who work at heights, where there is a potential to be exposed to a fall to a lower level, should read and understand the key changes to the Washington Administrative Code Unified Safety Standards for Fall Protection (WAC 296-880) that became effective on November 1, 2022.

UW personnel must be aware of the following significant changes.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) published updated regulations manuals for 2023, which may impact University units and departments that ship dangerous goods by air. Notable changes include:

The Environmental Health & Safety Department (EH&S) created guidelines for safely conducting photo and video sessions in University locations with hazards while also ensuring the images reflect health and safety requirements and best practices.

In the event of a spill or exposure to biohazardous materials, established response procedures and reporting requirements apply to all students and personnel of the UW. Researchers should review and share this information with laboratory personnel.