Research & Lab Safety

Control volatile organic chemical smells

September 26, 2024

Does your laboratory have volatile organic chemicals that produce strong, pungent odors even when the cap and bottle are intact? Controlling these smells, often found in chemical storage areas, will help reduce your risk of exposure.

Volatile organic chemicals can escape their containers, which presents an exposure risk to everyone in the lab. Restricting the ability for the chemical to disperse into the air can lower that risk.

HSIP Requirements Checklist

This document provides a summary of Health Sciences Immunization Program (HSIP) requirements and acceptable documentation for each item. Full instructions will be available in the CastleBranch account students purchase to submit documentation.

Notice of Cleaning and Decontamination Form (updated 8/10/21)

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.

Hazardous Material Disposal and Recycling

What type of material or equipment do you want to get rid of?

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.

Resources for laboratory equipment maintenance

July 15, 2024

If your research involves the use of centrifuges, ovens/furnaces, vacuum pumps, or other laboratory equipment, the Laboratory Equipment Maintenance webpage provides resources that can help you mitigate the hazards associated with commonly used lab equipment.

UW Float Plan

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.

MyChem users required to upload SDSs

May 3, 2024

MyChem requires users to upload a safety data sheet (SDS) when adding a new chemical to an inventory if that chemical does not currently exist in the MyChem database. If you have chemicals in your MyChem inventory that do not have an SDS linked to them, you must either upload the missing SDS or have an easily accessible copy of the SDS in your workspace to remain in compliance.

Diving Control Board (DCB) Meeting Agenda

View the agenda for the UW Diving Control Board's quarterly meeting.

Make your electronic Chemical Hygiene Plan

April 23, 2024

Keeping your safety documents up to date and easily accessible are key for staying safe.

Laboratory Safety

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.