News

When Alan Bolind walks into a lab, he’s not just inspecting equipment — he’s laying the foundation for a safer research environment. As a lab safety specialist (LSS) for UC Berkeley’s Office of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S), Bolind works closely with department safety coordinators (DSCs), like Amin Jazaeri, to ensure that safety isn’t just a checklist item, but a shared culture.

This message was sent as a Calmessage to all faculty and staff by the Vice Chancellor for Research and Vice Chancellor for Administration. 

Dear colleagues,

Following a nationwide search, we are pleased to announce that Alicia Bihler will assume the role of Executive Director within UC Berkeley’s Office of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S), effectiveJuly 1, 2025.

What Are Sharps? 

Sharps are any items with pointed edges or projections capable of cutting, puncturing, or piercing the skin. Common examples include:

• Hypodermic needles

• Syringes with attached needles or tubing

• Razor blades, scalpels, and X-Acto® knives

• Glass Pasteur pipettes

• Broken glass items

The campus Ergonomics program is a faculty and staff support unit part of the Be Well at Work program under University Health Services. They provide assistance to departments to guide ergonomic improvement for campus faculty and staff work environments to prevent and address repetitive strain injury.

Google is currently experiencing an outage which is affecting Hazardous Waste Program and possibly other EH&S applications. The status of the issue can be tracked on the UC Berkeley System Status Dashboard. We apologize for the inconvenience. 

Update: EH&S applications are back up as of 6/12/25 2:38 PM PST.

Please review the following personal protective equipment (PPE) reminders and share this information with lab members.

Get a bulk replacement of clean coats

EH&S is now offering bulk lab coat replacements. This time of the year is a good time to exchange your lab coat for a clean one, even if there are no visible stains or spillage on it.  

Previously, updates to personnel approved to conduct research on a BUA were made on Labs At Berkeley (L@B), the web application used to manage lab roster and training information. There is no longer a need to make BUA personnel changes in L@B. BUA personnel changes can now only be made in RSS BUA.

How do I make BUA personnel changes in RSS BUA?

1. Log into the Risks and Safety Solution Website

Announcing New Lab Safety Inspection Format!

The Office of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) is pleased to launch a new format for lab safety inspections. To everyone in the research community who provided feedback about our services, thank you! We appreciate your input and are dedicated to supporting your needs. 

What’s New

General lab safety inspections and biosafety inspections are now combined into one annual inspection. Inspection checklists are now expanded to cover all biological use authorizations.

We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all employees, and your role as a safety coordinator is instrumental in achieving this goal. This Safety Newsletter is intended to build community and raise awareness about safety topics. 

Behind every groundbreaking scientific discovery at UC Berkeley’s Innovative Genomics Institute, there lies an almost invisible force that keeps the research running smoothly — its facility services team. While scientists like Nobel Laureate Jennifer Doudna develop revolutionary genome-editing technology, Building Manager Teddy Prompichai and Lab Operations Manager Josh Miller work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure labs are safe, equipment is functional, and researchers have the support they need.

A new Cal/OSHA Indoor Heat Illness Standard went into effect July 2024 to protect workers in areas where temperatures may exceed 82°F. During Bay Area heat waves, our building ventilation systems may be challenged to maintain temperatures below this threshold, potentially affecting all campus employees.

The campus Drain Disposal Restrictions have been revised in an effort to simplify the guidelines and mitigate improper disposal practices. Discharge of hazardous chemical wastes into the municipal sanitary sewer system is prohibited by campus policy and is regulated by federal, state, and regional laws. UC Berkeley is committed to the protection of the local community and the environment.

Replace your protective eyewear 

Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) is excited to announce a one-time opportunity to exchange your eyewear for FREE

This special opportunity will take place on Wednesday, February 26th at 775B Tan Hall from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

CSHEMA's Lab Safety Awareness Week is held from February 10-14, 2025, and is intended to promote laboratory health and safety programs and offer information and ideas on how to keep our faculty, staff, and students safe.

Following guidance from Cal/OSHA and the University of California Office of the President (UCOP), UC Berkeley’s Guidelines on Protecting Workers from COVID-19 training, the COVID-19 Prevention Program, and the COVID-19 Workplace Exposure dashboard will be retired.

Please refer to the University Health Services website for the latest COVID-19 information.

All EH&S web applications will be shut down for a system upgrade on Saturday, January 18, from 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM.

Why?

We’re implementing a newer database version that will enable

• better integration with our systems and others
• easier, faster creation of new tools and features

Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) is preparing the 2025 Manufactured Nanoscale Materials Disclosure for the City of Berkeley.

If you use nanoscale materials in your lab, and

    a. you have never filled out the Nanoscale Materials Information Form,

or,

    b. you have begun using new nanoscale materials, or a new class of nanoscale materials 

The following materials are for researchers, principal investigators, staff, and faculty involved in off-campus fieldwork–both domestic and international.