Biological Safety

Providing support, in the form of risk assessment, review, consultation and training, for research at UC Berkeley that involves the use of recombinant DNA, biohazardous materials and biological toxins.

Training

The EH&S training team creates, delivers, and tracks health, safety, and environmental training for all faculty, staff, and students.

Controlled Substances

bottle and pill icon Controlled Substances

UC Berkeley’s Controlled Substances (CS) program outlines required procedures pertaining to the procurement, use, storage, inventory, and disposal of controlled substances to comply with Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regulations. These procedures apply to all research and teaching activities using controlled substances.

Controlled...

Dangerous Gain of Function (DGOF) Research

Background:

The United States Government Issued a Policy for Stopping High-Risk Life Sciences Research (“USG Policy”) on July 20, 2026. The policy superseded the UC Policy on Dual Use Research of Concern and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential (issued on May 1, 2025).

What is impacted:

Any...

Biological Safety

Providing support, in the form of risk assessment, review, consultation and training, for research at UC Berkeley that involves the use of recombinant DNA, biohazardous materials and biological toxins.

illustration of a biohazard symbolHow Do I: collapse all...

Biological Spill Kits

EH&S will provide one biological spill kit to each lab with an approved Biological Use Authorization (BUA). This kit contains the supplies needed to safely clean up small spills of biological materials. Bleach or other disinfectants must be made fresh in the event of a spill.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Labs

EH&S provides campus researchers with lab coats, safety glasses, and goggles. Please contact the PPE coordinator at ppe@berkeley.edu if you have any questions or comments about personal protective equipment for your lab.

We also distribute N95 masks to employees when campus is impacted by unhealthy air quality due to wildfire smoke (when AQI exceeds 150). View distribution schedule.

Biological Spill Kit Instructions

Chips (Toan) Hoai
2016
When a biological spill occurs Alert people in the immediate area. Check yourself for contamination. Assess the situation: Are you wearing all of the necessary PPE to clean this spill? Cover the spill and the area around the spill with absorbent material. Pour freshly made 10% bleach on absorbent materials in a spiral motion, starting from the outside of the spill working your way into the center. Allow a 20-minute contact period. Wipe down any contaminated stationary equipment or furniture with an appropriate disinfectant. Use forceps, tongs, or broom to remove...

Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

UC Berkeley’s Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is comprised of subject matter experts, an animal health expert, an occupational physician, the campus biosafety officer, and community members.

The committee meets to review Biological Use Authorizations (BUAs) on the first Monday of every month starting at 2:00 pm via Zoom. The IBC is a public meeting; however,...

2026 Fall Semester Reminders for Labs

August 25, 2026
Office of Environment, Health, and Safety
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

Campus Laboratory Safety Policies

The University of California, Berkeley is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for the campus community. Faculty, students, and other personnel in laboratories and other academic settings may work with hazardous materials, equipment, and processes. With regard to safety and environmental protection, this teaching, and research work is governed by state and federal regulations and University policies.

New UC Systemwide Laboratory Safety Policies...