Workplace Safety

The campuswide Workplace Safety Program serves as the university’s central program for creating a safe and healthful work environment. 

2026 Non-Structural Earthquake Seismic Bracing, Q-Brace, Safety Program

2026

The Non-Structural Earthquake Seismic Bracing, Q-Brace, Safety Program provides guidance on the seismic safety requirements for furnishings and equipment in buildings across the University of California, Berkeley.

Non-Structural Seismic Bracing

Overview

When an earthquake shakes unrestrained objects, they can slide, swing, overturn, or strike people or other objects. File cabinets, freestanding bookshelves, office equipment, and items stored on shelves or racks can all cause serious injuries by their movement during an earthquake.

Most injuries that occur during earthquakes are caused by the movement of the building’s contents, not by the movement of the building itself.

The...

Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program

2026

According to the American Heart Association’s 2022 update on cardiovascular health, instances of out-of-hospital Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) continue to rise in the United States coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, and disproportionately affect vulnerable populations and communities of color. The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) strives to increase survivability for those suffering from SCA by spreading awareness and broadening public access to Automated External Defibrillator (AED) devices on campus. These devices are intended to provide a lifesaving bridge during the...

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

Emergency Ventilation Shut-Off Controls

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2008

Fact Sheet: Emergency Ventilation Shut-Off Controls

Accident Investigation

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2020

Supervisors, Department Safety Coordinators (DSCs), and safety committee members: Do you know how to conduct a thorough investigation after an accident occurs in your department? Are you aware that serious injuries require the immediate notification of the Office of Environment, Health & Safety
(EH&S)? Investigation of accidents is not only required by law, it can also help prevent future accidents. Follow the steps outlined below to comply with the law, improve procedures and conditions, and create a safer work environment.

Training

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

Reproductive Hazards in the Laboratory

Office of Environment, Health & Safety

Event Safety

crowd (icon) Ensuring safe and compliant campus events. Fire & Life Safety during Events

An event permit may be required to ensure the fire and life safety of the campus community. Issues of concern include:

Expected attendance of fifty or more people Campus space being used for other than normal purposes Tents or canopies over 400 sq ft Locations that could impact access by emergency vehicles Use of open flame, pyrotechnics and/or compressed...

Tritium Self-Illuminating Exit Signs

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2008

Fact Sheet: Tritium Self-Illuminating Exit Signs