The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a new rule for methylene chloride (also known as dichloromethane) for worker safety and public and environmental protection. The required actions and timelines to comply with the new rule are described below. The new EPA rule is in addition to existing Washington State Department of Labor & Industries rules for workplace safety.
If your research includes operations out in the field, download the latest version of the UW Field Operations Safety Manual, which provides updated information on state regulations, UW policies, safe work practices, and document templates.
Field research conducted at the UW may include drone work, model rocket tests, water sample collection, boat trips, and wildlife observation, to name just a few examples.
Updated 8/10/21
The Notice of Cleaning and/or Decontamination Form (Word) must be completed by a UW employee knowledgeable of the hazardous materials used in, on and/or around a space, equipment, appliance or furniture when either of the following occur:
1. The dirty or contaminated equipment, appliance or furniture is being repaired or removed (for disposal, reuse or surplus).
2. The space is being vacated.
University personnel have the following options for getting rid of hazardous materials and potentially contaminated supplies and equipment.
Note: Not all options are available for all items.
University units/departments may use the UW Float Plan as a template to develop their float plan.
Visit the Boating Safety page for more information.
The Laboratory Safety program oversees safety and compliance in all UW research and teaching laboratory spaces to reduce the risk of injury and exposure, decrease the risk of property loss, lessen the likelihood of lost research, and minimize environmental damage.
University personnel who generate hazardous chemical waste for the University, including all campuses and off-site locations, are required to follow chemical waste management practices when selecting appropriate containers, labeling and storing containers.
Refer to the UW Laboratory Safety Manual for additional information.
This report shows the most recent survey status of UW laboratories' safety facilities and equipment (eye washes, fire extinguishers, emergency showers and autoclaves). Its data is ordered by building/department/equipment type/room.
Current report: Safety-Equipment-Status-Report.pdf
Email questions to labcheck@uw.edu.
