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The National Institutes of Health (NIH) published revisions to the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines). The published changes include specific considerations and requirements for conducting research involving gene drive modified organisms (GDMOs) and stipulates that a minimum of biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) is required for conducting research with GDMOs.

To reduce the risk of injury related to telework activities consider the following ergonomic tips when setting up your workstation:

COMPUTER SETUP

Image credit: University of Wisconsin-Madison

Help raise awareness of safe lab practices at the UW and win prizes!

Lab Safety Awareness Week is sponsored by CSHEMA and held at academic institutions nation-wide February 12-16, 2024. This event is dedicated to recognizing the successes of laboratory safety programs and offering ideas on how to keep our faculty, staff and students safe.

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, occurs on UW campuses in maker spaces, research labs and classrooms. New safety resources are available to University personnel and students using 3D printers, including an updated 3D Printer Safety Focus Sheet and two new standard operating procedures (SOP) templates.

Chemical waste generators at the University have two ways to submit waste collection requests:

1. Directly from your MyChem inventory

2. From the Chemical Waste Disposal page 

You can use these tools for chemicals currently in your MyChem inventory as well as for chemical mixtures, materials and wastes not listed in your inventory.

Lab animal allergens can be a serious health concern for those who work with animals at the UW; it’s important to understand the health risks and how to protect yourself. Environmental Health & Safety has resources that can help.

The University’s 2023 Work-Related Injury and Illness Summaries are posted on the Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) website. The summaries show the number and type of work-related recordable injuries and illnesses. University units are required to download the summary for their location and post it from February 1 - April 30, 2024 in a location where employees can easily access it.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Washington State Department of Health (WA DOH), and other public health partners are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella associated with consumption of Italian-style charcuterie meats.  

Seattle Fire Department launched an initiative to avoid “false” (preventable) alarms. 

Preventable alarms include:

EH&S updated the Site-Specific Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure Control Plan template in congruence with Washington state BBP regulations. This update includes an expanded list of personal protective equipment (PPE) and engineering controls, a section on sharps safety, and a personnel training log.