Workplace Safety

The campuswide Workplace Safety Program serves as the university’s central program for creating a safe and healthful work environment. 

Materials Handling and Storage Self Inspection Program

Each year, shipping/receiving and storage managers (or their delegates) are asked to conduct Materials Handling and Storage self-inspections. The self-inspections cover facilities such as:

Loading docks

Loading dock materials storage areas

Distribution facilities for mail and package delivery

Facilities used for furniture and event supplies storage and transport

The topics covered are designed to supplement inspections...

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Labs

A standard operating procedure (SOP) is a set of instructions for performing experiments or processes that involve hazards (chemical, physical, biological, radiation). SOPs are lab-specific and include documentation of the people who have received training for that procedure.

New students and employees working in your lab should be provided with hands-on training for hazardous materials and operations that are covered by the SOPs for your lab.

SOPs by Hazard Type Chemicals & General Lab Safety

Written SOPs are required for all hazardous operations/activities. A library of...

EH&S Safety Newsletter - Vol 3, July 2025

July 7, 2025
Office of Environment, Health, and Safety

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

...

Understanding Sharps Safety and Handling

June 25, 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

Glass microscope slides and coverslips

Sharp instruments...

Laboratory Ergonomics

June 24, 2025

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.

Their primary goal for departments with lab environments is to help labs address ergonomic risk from a design and equipment standpoint. Most of the fundamental ergonomic risks faced in lab work can be attributed to lack of adjustability, manual...

Sewer System Management Plans

Wastewater generated at UC Berkeley is conveyed through our sanitary sewer collection systems and eventually flows to EBMUD's wastewater treatment plant in Oakland prior to discharge to the San Francisco Bay.

The Waste Discharge Requirements Order No. 2022-0103-DWQ adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board regulates sanitary sewer systems greater than one mile in length (each individual sanitary sewer system).

UC Berkeley maintains regulatory coverage for three collection systems:

Sewer System Management Plans

(All...

Wildfire Smoke

Providing resources and guidance for the UC Berkeley community to reduce exposure to wildfire smoke.

Jacob Sharp

Industrial Hygienist Specialist
Workplace Safety
Indoor Air Quality

UC Berkeley Workplace Violence Prevention

Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) is the responsible department for overseeing the campuswide Workplace Violence Prevention Program.

Overview Workplace Violence Prevention Plan What to Report How to Report Employee Training Requirements Workplace Violence Hazard Assessment Resource and Policy Links Overview

The University of California, Berkeley is...

Event Permit Procedures

Ensuring safe and compliant campus events. Special Event Requirements for Registered Student Organizations

The Office of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) is responsible for permits and inspections of campus events at which food is served to the public. In accordance with the California Retail Food Code, Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) can hold up to ...