2025 Fall Semester Reminders for Labs

The fall semester is under way, and Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) would like to help get you started on the right foot with some key lab safety reminders:

All labs

• Update your lab’s roster in Labs @ Berkeley (L@B)

• Add new lab members, delete old ones, and click on the “Click here if lab roster is current" button once you are done.

• Note: Labs with Biological Use Authorizations (BUAs) should only make BUA personnel changes on RSS BUA

• Wear PPE when doing lab work with hazardous materials. This includes at minimum a lab coat, safety glasses or goggles and protective gloves.

• Remind new lab members to get lab coats. Follow the instructions on the EH&S website for new lab coats.

• Get a bulk replacement of clean coats by filling out the Bulk Lab Coat Replacement Request form

• Request a clean coat via campus mail by filling out the lab coat request form

• Review the General Lab Inspection Checklist on the EH&S website. As a reminder, general lab safety inspections and biosafety inspections are now combined into one annual inspection, which will be scheduled with your inspector.

• Complete a self-inspection if you have not already done so.

• Self-inspections should be performed once a year and are checked for completion during the General Lab Safety Inspections

Labs with biological materials

• Ensure your Biological Use Authorization (BUA) is up to date.

• See instructions on how to renew or update your BUA on the EH&S biosafety webpage

• Note: BUA personnel changes can now only be made in RSS BUA

• To make personnel changes in RSS BUA, go directly to the personnel section. DO NOT start a renewal, amendment or submit your draft for review at any point during this process.

• Ensure your biological trainings are up to date on Labs @ Berkeley (L@B)

• Personnel changes made in RSS BUA will transfer to L@B. There may be an overnight delay for personnel or training status updates to be reflected on L@B.

• If personnel changes made in RSS BUA do not appear in L@B after the overnight period, please email bso@berkeley.edu

Labs with chemicals

• Maintain accurate chemical inventories

• Tag and add new chemical containers into RSS Chemicals

• Delete the chemical entry from RSS Chemicals when you dispose of a chemical.

• Update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for new chemicals as needed. Written SOPs are required for all hazardous operations/activities. 

• Additional SOP templates can be found on the SOP tab on Labs @ Berkeley (L@B)

Labs with controlled substances

• Ensure that any changes to your controlled substance use authorization (CSUA) are amended via our project registration update form

• Adding/removing authorized users

• Adding/removing controlled substances

• Changing storage locations

• Change in annual quantities

• New authorized users are required to submit abackground clearance before they are able to use or handle controlled substances

• Dispose of expired or unwanted controlled substances:

• Ensure thatdisposal forms are filled out in a timely manner

• Do not keep expired, unused, or partial bottles on hand for extended periods of time

• Request pick-up at csuse@berkeley.edu

• Perform quality checks daily and/or weekly for inventory log books to ensure accuracy 

Labs with ionizing radiation (radioactive materials and/or radiation producing machines)

• Ensure personnel are listed on your Radiation Use Authorization (RUA) prior to working with radioactive materials or radiation producing machines (e.g. particle generators, x-ray cabinets, XRF/XRD units, etc.)

• Ensure RUA personnel have signed off on the appropriate SOP in the UC Learning Center before working under an RUA

Labs with lasers

• Use laser safety checklists when onboarding new laser users

• New Laser User Onboarding Checklist: Guidance on laser use requirements for all new users of Class 3B and / or Class 4 laser systems. 

• On-the-Job Training Checklist: Practical, hands-on training activities for new laser users