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.

Dispose of Waste

Master list of waste types is displayed below. Note: If you cannot find the item that you are trying to get rid of in this list, please contact EH&S at ehs@berkeley.edu or (510) 642-3073. collapse all expand all Aerosol Cans

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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.

Biosafety How Do I: collapse all...

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.

General Autoclave Safety

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2023

Autoclaves are used for steam sterilization – a process achieved by using superheated steam to kill microorganisms and spores. Autoclaves are used to decontaminate certain biological waste and sterilize lab materials.

Needles and Sharps: Safe Handling, Injury Response and Disposal

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2020

A sharp is any device with corners, edges, or projections capable of cutting or piercing. Sharps include,
but are not limited to, the following:

Needles Needles with syringes and attached tubing Blades (razors, scalpels and X-acto®) Glass pasteur pipettes Broken glass, glass slides, and coverslips

Biosafety Comprehensive Training Documentation

2023

Attentation of biosafety training and requirements

Biosafety Laboratory Inspection Program

Biosafety Biosafety Laboratory Inspection Program

EH&S biosafety staff conduct inspections of all laboratory spaces included on a research group’s Biological Use Authorization (BUA). These inspections cover administrative controls, elements of general laboratory safety, and specific requirements related to the...

Campus Committees

Certain high-hazard activities and equipment require additional safety training and written pre-approval. Faculty-led committees issue use authorizations for high hazard activities to ensure the work is safe and monitored appropriately. These include:

collapse all expand all Laboratory Operations & Safety Committee

Summary of Charges

The campus Laboratory Operations...

Resources and Guides

Job Safety Analysis (JSA)

A JSA describes job tasks in step-by-step fashion, identifies associated hazards at each step, and outlines proper hazard controls that minimize the risk of injury or illness to the individual(s) performing that task.

JSAs Listed by Topic: Body Mechanics ...

Recombinant DNA Training for Research Group Members Template

2023

Principal Investigators (PIs) whose research involves recombinant DNA are required by NIH to provide their research group members training on lab-specific hazards and emergency procedures. The UC Berkeley Biosafety Program (bso@berkeley.edu) has prepared this PowerPoint presentation template to assist PIs in meeting this requirement.