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.

Important Updates to Drain Disposal Restrictions

February 27, 2025
Office of Environment, Health, and Safety

The campus Drain Disposal Restrictions have been revised in an effort to simplify the guidelines and mitigate improper disposal practices. Discharge of hazardous chemical wastes into the municipal sanitary sewer system is prohibited by campus policy and is regulated by federal, state, and regional laws. UC Berkeley is committed to the protection of the local community and the environment.

Action Required

Review the revised ...

Lab Managers & Safety Coordinators

Laboratory managers and Laboratory Safety Coordinators (LSCs) are typically selected by a lab’s principal investigator, and serve a critical role with regards to lab safety. In many cases, the LSC is also the lab manager, though not always. LSCs serve as delegates for the principal investigator for many safety programs and applications including Lab Hazard Assessment Tool (LHAT) and Inspect.

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Template - General

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
Standard Operating Procedures

The library below contains standard operating procedure (SOP) templates for a variety of hazardous chemicals and operations.

Download: Chemical-Specific SOPs

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 ...

Order and purchase List I/II and CA precursors

Federal and State List I/II and CA Precursor Chemicals

List I/II and Precursor Chemicals that have legitimate uses in research but also have the potential to be used in the manufacture of controlled substances. State and federal laws require campus vendors to uphold stringent regulations regarding distribution of these chemicals.

The Federal List can be referencedDEA List I/II

The...

Precursor Chemicals

Precursor chemicals and List I Chemicals are chemicals that have legitimate uses and also have the potential to be used in the manufacture of controlled substances. State and federal laws require campus vendors to uphold stringent regulations regarding distribution of these chemicals.

Federal list (List I Chemicals)

Navigate to “Alphabetical Order” under the List I and II Regulated Chemicals section...

Updates to Hazardous Waste Recharge

August 26, 2024
Office of Environment, Health, and Safety

Please review important changes to hazardous waste disposal costs.

What’s new

Research labs, core facilities, and instructional labs will no longer be recharged for routine waste disposal. Subsidizing waste disposal is a part of the University’s strategy to reduce unsafe quantities of hazardous materials storage, and is a key recommendation from UCOP’s ...

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Chemical Abbreviation Guide

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2024

All containers (including beakers, flasks and vials) must be clearly labeled with the contents and a hazard indication. Labs may use abbreviations as long as a guide is posted in the space. Please use this template to capture all chemical abbreviations for a material. Below are some common examples. Extend the list as necessary. Post in a visible location in each lab room. Near the door may be best. If you use a large variety of chemicals in multiple spaces, you can use the same list in all rooms as long as the list is comprehensive.

If you have questions about chemical...

Updating hazard assessment and other semester start reminders

August 29, 2024
Office of Environment, Health, and Safety

To ensure new lab members can obtain PPE, please review the following reminders.

1. Make sure your lab's hazard assessment is certified

A new Field Hazards section was added to LHAT earlier this year. If you have not already done so, please complete the field hazards section by following these directions:

Principal Investigators (PIs) or Lab Safety Coordinators (LSCs)

Select “Amend” and choose “yes” or “no” depending on if...