The College takes the health and safety of all individuals conducting research on its behalf very seriously. The College’s Health and Safety Committee (HSC) meets monthly to reduce illnesses and injuries in the workplace. This section contains valuable information for researchers to review prior to and as they are conducting research. Following the guidelines in these resources will ensure compliance with University policies as well as personal health and safety when working with some of the unique hazardous situations, materials and equipment found within the College of the Environment. Additional information can be found at the University’s Office of Environmental Health and Safety.
Boating Safety
The University’s Boating Safety Program oversees the safe use of water vessels of all sizes and classes by faculty, staff, students and approved volunteers at the University of Washington who are using these vessels as required by their employment or education.
Diving Safety
The University’s Diving Safety Program provides training and oversight to faculty, staff and students who use self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba) as a tool to conduct underwater research.
Field Safety and Etiquette
The College has put together a guide on Best Practices for Field Work to provide those who are engaging in research in the field the best advise on how to do so in a safe manner.
Lab Safety
The University’s 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.
- See the Lab Safety Training Matrix for a list of the required EH&S trainings for laboratory personnel. This matrix can also be used to track training completion.
- See the EH&S Safety Training Courses page for a complete list of current online and in-person trainings.
- See the EH&S My Training tool to view your EH&S safety training records and reprint course certificates.
- See the EH&S Lab Safety Dashboard to review safety performance data and survey reports for your lab.
Visitors and Children in Labs and Shops
Please see University Administrative Policy Statement 10.9, Rules for Visitors and Children in University Laboratories and Shops.
Safe and Inclusive Worksites for Off-Site or Off-Campus Research
The College has put together resources for creating plans for Safe and Inclusive Working Environments for Off-Campus or Off-Site Research which are now required for PIs looking to conduct off-campus research through NSF-funded grants.