Workplace Safety

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

UC Berkeley Mold Awareness and Guidance

Overview

Mold is a type of fungus that can produce spores which are released into the air. Mold can be found everywhere and can be detected year-round, both indoors and outdoors. Persistent warm and humid conditions promote mold growth. Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all. For people who are sensitive to mold, exposure can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, and in some cases, skin irritation.

No matter what type of mold is present it should be removed.

Please...

Hearing Conservation

EH&S and University Health Services (UHS) together administer a Hearing Conservation Program designed to protect faculty, staff and students from hearing loss due to exposure to loud noise, i.e., exposure to noise above 85 decibels as an eight-hour time-weighted average.

The Hearing Conservation Program includes:

Workplace and personal exposure monitoring Audiometric (hearing) tests Training on the...

Ladder Safety Program

UC Berkeley has developed this Ladder Safety Program to manage the safe selection, procurement, safe work practices, inspection, inventory tracking and record keeping of all ladders. The Ladder Safety Program applies to any department on campus, at field stations, or on leased property where any type of ladder three (3) feet or more in length/height is used. Roles and responsibilities for safe use of ladders by employees (including temporary employees and graduate students...

Will Cyrs

Senior Certified Industrial Hygienist
Air Quality, Indoor / Wildfire Smoke
Field Research
Workplace Safety

UC Berkeley Workplace Violence Prevention

California state law requires every employer to establish, implement, and maintain an effective Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (California Labor Code, Section 6401.9). Consistent with its legal obligations, UC Berkeley is committed to providing a safe learning and work environment that is free from threats and acts of violence.


Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) is the responsible department for...

Welding and Hot Work Program

Gary Bayne

The UC Berkeley Hot Work Program provides procedures and supplemental information for welding and other hot work on campus. This program is designed to prevent injuries, prevent fire, control hazards, and to ensure compliance with Cal/OSHA safety regulations and the California Fire Code. The procedures outlined in this program must be followed by staff who perform welding and other hot work on UC Berkeley property.

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Respiratory Protection Program

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2018

EH&S evaluates workplaces for possible airborne hazards and recommends ways to reduce these hazards when found. When appropriate, EH&S will fit campus workers with respirators and provide annual training on their proper use. This program is administered in cooperation with University Health Services. UHS evaluates a person's ability to safely wear a respirator prior to a respirator being issued. For more information contact EH&S at ehs@berkeley.edu.

Hot Work Permit

Anyone performing temporary hot work is required to have a valid Hot Work Permit for each day of work.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Reminders: Working in Hot Weather

September 30, 2024
Office of Environment, Health, and Safety

Warmer temperatures are returning. The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for the region. Heat can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening. It is important to take precautions and to be prepared for high heat conditions. Please share this information with supervisors and employees in your department that work outdoors or may be exposed to high temperatures indoors during their workday.

Outdoor work when temperature exceeds 80°F

Workers performing job duties outside must follow the campus...