Shops and Trades

EH&S assists the campus in complying with asbestos laws and regulations by assessing the potential risk from asbestos exposure and developing measures to control those exposures. In addition, EH&S together with Facilities Services (formerly PP-CS), responds to campus asbestos concerns, provides sampling, consults with contractors, and recommends corrective actions in emergency situations.

UC Berkeley’s Office of Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) manages Crane Safety to ensure Cal/OSHA compliance by campus Departments, Field Stations, and Contractors using University-owned overhead cranes, hoists and rigging. Administrative requirements, training requirements, recordkeeping requirements, inspection criterion and procedures, “Operator” and “Standby Person” safe-work procedures are included for all types of cranes and hoists that are used for lifting/moving equipment and materiel.

The University of California (UC) Lock Out/Tag Out mobile application (LOTO app) and online management dashboard allows users to easily access, follow, create, copy and modify Energy Isolation SOPs or Lock Out/Tag Out procedures for any equipment that operates on one or more types of energy (electricity, compressed gas, hydraulics, mechanical movement, fuels, etc.). For Researchers, LOTO procedures may be used for research equipment “Energy Isolation SOPs” for documenting and training lab personnel on safe research equipment operation / shut down.

This program guides all aspects of the Forklift and Industrial Lift Truck Safety Program for the University of California at Berkeley. As mandated by Cal/OSHA and other regulatory compliance codes, this program guides compliance with, and application of, all legal requirements for UC Berkeley departments, field stations and work / research operations that use these types of equipment.

Departments that own, lease, rent and/or otherwise operate forklifts and other types of industrial lift trucks must:

UC Berkeley has developed this Ladder Safety Program to manage the safe selection, procurement, safe work practices, inspection, inventory tracking and record keeping of all ladders. The Ladder Safety Program applies to any department on campus, at field stations, or on leased property where any type of ladder three (3) feet or more in length/height is used.

EH&S evaluates workplaces for possible airborne hazards and recommends ways to reduce these hazards when found. When appropriate, EH&S will fit campus workers with respirators and provide annual training on their proper use. This program is administered in cooperation with University Health Services. UHS evaluates a person's ability to safely wear a respirator prior to a respirator being issued.