On August 31, 2020, EH&S sent an email to biological researchers warning them to be aware of suspicious mail. Our local FBI shared with us reports of threatening mail being sent to COVID-19 researchers on the east coast of the U.S. Several local and national media outlets have since published news stories based on the email. The original email is included below.
3M announced an immediate Stop Use and Product Recall Notice for its 3M™ DBI-SALA® Self-Rescue Descent fall protection systems manufactured before July 2020.
Petzl®, a manufacturer of fall protection ropes, issued a request for inspection of Petzl® low-stretch kermantle ropes due to the discovery of critical defects.
University units using Petz® kernmantle ropes with fall protection equipment should immediately inspect the following ropes with serial numbers between 18 C 0000000 000 and 20 H 0000000 000:
Your workspace should always be ready for an inspection. The most important thing you can do to be prepared for an inspection is to keep your lab, shop, clinic, or other workspace clean, organized, and up to University of Washington standards.
The hazards: Nitric acid is a highly corrosive mineral acid and strong oxidizer used primarily for nitration of organic molecules and washing glassware or metal equipment. Nitric acid reacts violently with alcohols, alkalis, reducing agents, combustible materials, organic materials, metals, acids, cyanides, terpenes, charcoal, and acetone. It produces exothermic reactions, as well as toxic, corrosive, and flammable vapors.
The UW Environmental Health & Safety Department (EH&S) received a Silver Award from King County Industrial Waste Program to recognize Seattle campus wastewater treatment practices that protect regional water quality.
All personnel must complete the COVID-19 Safety Training: Back to the Workplace before or upon returning to work on-site at a University location.
3M™ company issued a Stop Use Notice for the 3M™ Fall Protection Specific DBI-SALA® Delta™ & Exofit XP™ Arc Flash Harnesses. Immediate action is required:
To reduce the risk of injury related to telework activities consider the following ergonomic tips when setting up your workstation:
The Asbestos General Awareness-Online training course that is required for all UW employees was replaced with a newly refreshed video, thanks to a collaboration between EH&S and UWTV. The video contains awareness-level training regarding asbestos-containing building materials in UW facilities and potential hazards for building occupants.
