The Fire Prevention Division of the Office of Environment, Health & Safety discourages University employees from using space heaters in their workplaces because of fire risks.
Campus laboratories that are cluttered and poorly organized present a variety of safety hazards to researchers, students, and visitors. In some cases, campus laboratories have been cited by government regulators for excessive clutter and related hazards.
Note: Power Outage guidance for Food Facilities, Swimming Pools, and Campus Housing is not included in this resource. Please see the Power Outages: Preparation and Response Health Considerations resource (coming soon).
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is a potentially fatal viral infection carried principally by deer mice, but also found in other rodents. There have been over 322 known cases of HPS in the United States as of June 2002 with almost 40 percent resulting in death. However, the survival rate is greatly improved when proper diagnosis and medical support are rapidly obtained. The disease is relatively difficult to get and easy to avoid by taking the necessary precautions. In California, many hantavirus cases have occurred in the central Sierra Nevada.
Extension cords are very useful in many applications on campus and in the field, but they do have limitations. Misused and damaged extension cords (see photos 1-6 below) have caused painful injuries, fires, equipment damage, and regulatory citations and penalties. Take the time to choose the proper extension cord for the equipment being used.
