The following lessons learned reports detail what went wrong and what corrective actions have been taken or will take place to address the incidents.
All News
October 2, 2023
September 25, 2023
What happened?
Using dry Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) as solvent, a reaction between an organic macrocycle and bromoethane was placed in a round bottom pressure vessel. The reaction was heated using armor aluminum beads in a stainless steel bowl sitting atop a hotplate. The setup was briefly left unattended inside a fume hood with the sash closed.
What happened?
A researcher was heating a small volume (<30mL) of hexanes/ethyl acetate containing approximately one gram of an organic azide. The solution was placed in a capped, 40mL pyrex media storage bottle. Holding the bottle of the azide solution in their left hand, the researcher was heating it with a heat gun with their right hand behind a horizontal fume hood sash protecting their face and torso.
September 20, 2023
Please share this information with supervisors in your department of outdoor workers:
Wildfire Smoke
As of this morning, the campus air quality index has exceeded 100 for a sustained period of time and we continue to be impacted by smoke from wildfires in Northern California and Oregon. Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) advises the following actions in response to unhealthy air quality:
July 24, 2023
2023 Workshop on Laboratory Safety
The UC Center for Laboratory Safety (UCCLS) will be hosting a hands-on in-person workshop to promote research safety for researchers and safety professionals on Sunday, September 17 - Tuesday September 19 in Los Angeles.
July 21, 2023
The ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety will be hosting their RAMP in the Research Lab workshop on Wednesda
July 10, 2023
UC Berkeley faculty and staff can now stay updated on potential COVID-19 exposures by accessing the UC Berkeley Potential Worksite Exposure Information Website. This will replace the previous practice of sending a COVID-19 potential workplace exposure CALmessage to all employees within one business day of a potential COVID-19 exposure in campus buildings.
June 29, 2023
It’s summertime and warmer temperatures are returning. The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for the region starting Friday. Heat can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening. It is important to take precautions and to be prepared for high heat conditions. Please share this information with supervisors and employees in your department that work outdoors or may be exposed to high temperatures indoors during their workday.
May 31, 2023
Effective today, May 31, 2023, UC Berkeley Managers and Supervisors will now report workplace-related injuries or illnesses online with RSS Injury and Illness Reporting. RSS Injury & Illness Reporting is an online solution that offers a simplified way to submit and monitor employee injury claims to help manage risks and reduce the likelihood of repeated injuries in the workplace. Injury & Illness Reporting (IIR) will replace our current Employer’s First Report (EFR) system.
April 11, 2023
The annual shop safety self-inspection period is here! Each year, shops are asked to conduct self inspections to supplement EH&S inspections in order to promote safety awareness and safe work practices.
Complete a self-inspection online by Monday, May 1, 2023
April 5, 2023
The annual self-inspection program for shipping/receiving and storage facilities is here! Each year, these facilities are asked to conduct self-inspections to supplement inspections conducted by EH&S in order to facilitate safety awareness and safe work practices.
Complete a self-inspection online by Wednesday, April 26, 2023.
March 6, 2023
Department Safety Coordinators (DSC) play an important role in campus safety structure – coordinating, implementing, and documenting safety practices in departments across campus. The Office of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) partners with DSCs to help implement safety and compliance programs and communicate information to departments.
Update DSC Contacts
February 28, 2023
The Office of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) a s pleased to announce that Ingrid Castro-Rodriguez has returned to UC Berkeley to serve as the Health and Safety Manager for EH&S.
February 21, 2023
The following announcement was sent to Lab Safety Coordinators and Department Safety Coordinators.
What's New?
The personal protective equipment (PPE) fitting room has relocated to Physics North, Room 156
About PPE Fitting
The PPE fitting room is where EH&S fits new researchers for lab coats and eyewear, as well as where PPE is picked up post-appointment. Previously, appointments were held in University Hall.
January 30, 2023
January 10, 2023
This is reminder was sent to Laser Use PIs as follow-up to the Vice Chancellor of Research, Katherine Yelick’s, October 28, 2022 message.
January 4, 2023
December 16, 2022
UC Berkeley continues to take critical steps to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of the campus community. EH&S is offering surgical masks, N95s, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) for COVID-19 protection to employees. Please refer to the PPE order form or learn more about the current UC Berkeley mask requirements
December 7, 2022
Laser Free Day Information
Two laser safety presentations were held on Wednesday, November 9; 10:00am - 12:00pm and 2:00pm - 4:00pm. Both presentations were identical and were held in-person at 290 Hearst Memorial Mining Building and virtually via Zoom. Laser Use Principal Investigators (PIs) were encouraged to attend the session that worked best with their schedules.
Online option
December 6, 2022
Agilent, a lab instrumentation company, has identified a potential fire safety hazard affecting the 8890, 8860, and Intuvo 9000 Gas Chromatography (GC) instruments. If your department has any of these instruments, please share the attached notification with potential users for more details about corrective actions that can be taken to mitigate the fire safety hazards.