Workplace Safety

Worker Memorial Day 2025

April 3, 2025

Each year, thousands of workers are killed, and millions more are injured or diseased because of their jobs. Please join us on Worker Memorial Day to honor those who have died in 2024 from a work-related injury or illness in King County. This special ceremony will raise awareness

The University of Washington Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Worker Memorial Day 2025 event is a special ceremony that raises awareness about strengthening our commitment to making jobs safer and saving lives in Washington State.

Safe Internal Cooking Temperatures Poster

Refer to the Safe Internal Cooking Temperatures Poster when cooking or reheating food to the correct minimum internal temperature to ensure harmful pathogens are reduced to a safe level.
Visit the Food Safety page for more information.

Office Furniture and Equipment

Updated February 6, 2025

University of Washington personnel who work in offices need to have a workstation that allows them to be productive, comfortable and not be susceptible to pain or injury. Slight adjustments may be all that is needed to improve an existing workstation for an individual.

However, if you determine that new furniture and/or equipment may be needed to correct deficiencies in your workstation, follow these steps:

Adjust Your Workstation

Updated February 6, 2025

There are important steps you can take to set up your office workstation (e.g., chair, desk, footrest, monitor, keyboard, mouse) to increase your comfort and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries while working.

2024 UW Work-Related Injury and Illness Summaries

January 27, 2025

The University’s 2024 Work-Related Injury and Illness Summaries are now available for download and posting. University units are required to download the summary for their location and post it from February 1 to April 30, 2025, in a location where personnel can easily access it.

Work-Related Incident Reports

Updated January 25, 2025

Recordable incidents are tracked in the University's Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses in accordance with Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) requirements. The recordable work-related injuries and illnesses for University of Washington locations are summarized below.

EH&S move to Gateway building

January 7, 2025

Most Environmental Health & Safety teams relocated to the new Gateway building above the Sound Transit Link light rail station on Brooklyn Avenue NE between NE 45th and 43rd Streets.

Programs and services that moved include: map of U District light rail station

Directions to EHS

View directions, parking, and public transit options for arriving at UW Environmental Health & Safety main office.

EH&S Annual Report FY24

The EH&S Annual Report FY24 summarizes the work of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) during fiscal year 2024.

Many older UW buildings are made of hazardous materials

November 16, 2024

Do-it-yourself repairs or projects that disturb walls, floor tiles, ceilings, fixtures and other building materials can expose you to substances that pose serious health risks.

University policy prohibits any “do-it-yourself” construction, renovation or modification of University buildings. Even simple projects, such as hammering a nail into a wall, can expose you to hazardous chemicals and result in regulatory fines.