Lab Safety

Providing support, in the form of risk assessment, review, consultation(link sends e-mail), training, and the necessary resources and guidance for research at UC Berkeley.

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.To promote this effort, please complete your self-inspection in advance of your General Lab Safety inspection. EH&S recommends you complete your self-inspection 3 to 6 months relative to the General Lab Safety inspection.

The self-inspection questionnaire can be...

Lab Inspections

Lab Safety General Lab Safety Inspection Program

EH&S safety professionals inspect research labs with hazardous materials, hazardous operations, or biological materials. During inspections, EH&S safety professionals help researchers stay up to date on current safety requirements by providing consultations, support, and resources. Example inspection topics include, but are not limited to: training, chemical...

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...

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.

Overpressurization of Concentrated Hydrofluoric Acid Waste Solution

June 30, 2008
Office of Environment, Health, and Safety
What Happened?

A graduate student in a UC Berkeley laboratory discovered the aftermath of a chemical waste overpressurization upon arrival at the laboratory he shares with other graduate students. The extensive contamination was caused by the explosive rupture of a plastic bottle of liquid waste kept inside the hood. According to the container label, one of the components inside the ruptured bottle was hydrofluoric acid. The investigation revealed that an incompatible material may have been poured into the same container causing the reaction and resulting overpressurization. The hood...

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...

Equipment and Tool Safety

hammer and wrench icon Providing resources and guidance for the safe use of tools by UC Berkeley personnel.

Maximum Allowable Quantities (MAQ) Project

The California Fire Code establishes requirements for Maximum Allowable Quantities (MAQ) of hazardous materials, which ensures amounts used and stored within buildings do not pose fire and life risks. Following the management of hazardous chemicals guidelines issued by the University of California Office of President in 2023, EH&S is implementing the directives outlined in...

Reminder: Food and Drink in Laboratories

January 25, 2024
Office of Environment, Health, and Safety

The beginning of the year is the perfect time to review the following key points to help prevent contamination of food and beverages.

Food and beverages are NOT allowed to be stored or consumed in laboratories or other rooms that use or store hazardous materials (e.g., hazardous chemicals, biological hazards, unsealed radioactive materials, research animals, and/or human blood or tissues). Whenever feasible, break rooms or separate office space(s) should be made available for food and beverage consumption. Protect Clean Areas from contamination: Consistent with building,...

Glove Selection Guide

Follow these steps to choose the appropriate type of protective glove for your job. The Glove Selection Chart also provides advantages and disadvantages for specific glove types. This guidance was prepared for laboratory researchers but may also be helpful for other people working with hazardous materials.

Once selected, glove use requirements for your lab should be posted in your Chemical Hygiene Plan flipchart under the Standard Operating Procedures section.See below for the...