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 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.
Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) provides guidelines for UW personnel who are pregnant (or planning to become pregnant) and who may be exposed to certain biological agents that can increase the risk of reproductive hazards.
Does your research require the use of Aqua regia or Piranha solutions? These are two types of acidic washes used for very specific purposes and have very important workplace health and safety considerations.
Help raise awareness of safe lab practices!
Lab Safety Awareness Week is an event held at academic institutions nation-wide February 13-17. This event is dedicated to recognizing the successes of laboratory safety programs and offering ideas on how to keep faculty, staff and students safe.
EH&S Radiation Safety has resources and guidance for University laboratories when preparing radiation items for surplus. The resources include a new Preparing Radiation Items for Surplus Focus Sheet.
EH&S has received reports of coyote sightings on the Seattle campus. Coyotes have been present at our campus locations and vicinity for years and they are an important part of our ecosystem.
Read the Coyotes on UW Campuses focus sheet for information on living and working around urban coyotes, preventing human-animal conflict, and reporting coyote activity our campuses.
During National Biosafety Month in October, EH&S is encouraging labs working with biohazards to identify hazards that could be substituted with a safer alternative to reduce the potential for harm while performing the same function.
Examples of safer alternatives include:
