Workplace Safety

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

Shop Safety Self-Inspections

Each year, shop managers (or their delegates) are asked to conduct shop self-inspections. The topics covered are designed to supplement inspections conducted by EH&S to facilitate safety awareness and ownership within the shop.

Compliance Requirement

Self-inspections are a requirement of the campus Workplace Safety Program and Policy.

2024 Shop Safety Self-Inspections

Complete a...

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...

Important: New UC Chemical Inventory Requirements

March 20, 2024
Office of Environment, Health, and Safety

In response to a directive from the UC Office of the President on December 15, 2023, Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) will be working closely with campus departments to establish appropriate practices for both initial tagging and ongoing maintenance of chemical inventories as part of multiyear implementation of UCOP’s ...

Laboratory Safety Self-inspections

Each year, EH&S initiates and tracks the completion of lab safety self-inspections, which are conducted by principal investigators or their delegates. The topics covered are designed to supplement inspections conducted by EH&S in order to facilitate safety awareness and ownership within the lab.

The self-inspection questionnaire can be viewed prior to initiating the self-inspections: Lab Safety Self-inspection Questions.

Compliance Requirement

...

Materials Handling and Storage Self-inspections

May 22, 2024
Office of Environment, Health, and Safety

The annual material handling and storage safety self-inspection period is here! As a reminder, facilities are asked to conduct self-inspections each year to supplement EH&S inspections in order to promote safety awareness and safe work practices. These inspections are also in compliance with the UC Berkeley Workplace Safety Program and thus, Cal/OSHA annual safety inspection requirements.

Complete a self-inspection via RSS Inspect by Friday, June 7, 2024.

Expanded...

Shop Safety Self-inspections Due May 1, 2024

March 21, 2024
Office of Environment, Health, and Safety

The annual shop safety self-inspection period is here! As a reminder, shops are asked to conduct self-inspections each year to supplement EH&S inspections in order to promote safety awareness and safe work practices.

Important Update Expanded Shop Safety Checklist The inspection checklist has expanded to include additional safety considerations for a more thorough safety inspection. Be prepared to spend more time conducting the self-inspections. There are now 10 safety categories, which includes a total of 83 items to check as part of the self-inspection. Review the...

Questions about your hazard assessment or LHAT?

If you are a PI and have concerns about the activities that will be performed in your lab, please consult with your campus EH&S office. If you are a Lab Worker and have concerns about the activities that will be performed in your lab, please discuss with your PI directly, and consult with your campus EH&S office, as needed. If you have questions about the LHAT system, please contact the UC ERM Service Desk

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Labs

EH&S provides campus researchers with lab coats, safety glasses, and goggles. We also provide shared protective equipment to labs, such as face shields and protective aprons.

Please contact the PPE coordinator at ppe@berkeley.edu or by calling (510) 642-3073 if you have any questions or comments about personal protective equipment for your lab.

UC Berkeley Mold Awareness and Guidance

Overview

Mold is a type of fungus that can produce spores which are released into the air. Mold can be found everywhere and can be detected year-round, both indoors and outdoors. Persistent warm and humid conditions promote mold growth. Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all. For people who are sensitive to mold, exposure can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, and in some cases, skin irritation.

No matter what type of mold is present it should be removed.

Please...

Hearing Conservation

EH&S and University Health Services (UHS) together administer a Hearing Conservation Program designed to protect faculty, staff and students from hearing loss due to exposure to loud noise, i.e., exposure to noise above 85 decibels as an eight-hour time-weighted average.

The Hearing Conservation Program includes:

Workplace and personal exposure monitoring Audiometric (hearing) tests Training on the...