Workplace Safety

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

Non-Structural Seismic Bracing Program

2022

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 ...

Laser Shutdown & Safety Day - November 9, 2022

October 28, 2022
The following message was sent to Laser Use Principal Investigators (PIs) on October 28, 2022. Laser Free Day - November 9, 2022 After nearly 20 years without any reported laser injuries and only a few laser incidents on the Berkeley campus, there have been 5 laser exposure incidents within the past 15 months. One incident led to minor, but permanent, retinal damage in a student. For each incident, there were violations of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and/or failure to adhere to campus regulations on laser use.

In response to this uptick, I am...

Working on Indoor Light Fixtures

Facilities Services
2022

Job Safety Analysis - Facilities Services
Working on Indoor Light Fixtures

Download Word Document Download Google Document

Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2022

The UC Berkeley Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program is administered by the Office of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S). The AED Program applies to UC Berkeley faculty, staff, and other entities who have obtained, or are planning to obtain an AED device on campus, particularly: building managers, department safety coordinators, facilities services, EH&S, and University Health Services. This document serves to...

General Self-Assessment Form (word)

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2022

This self-assessment form should be used to document safety assessments in large office suites, areas with multiple cubicles, copy rooms, coffee rooms, and other common work areas. It should not be used for individual offices, nor for non-administrative areas such as shops, laboratories, and areas containing any hazardous materials.

General Self-Assessment Form (pdf)

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2022

This self-assessment form should be used to document safety assessments in large office suites, areas with multiple cubicles, copy rooms, coffee rooms, and other common work areas. It should not be used for individual offices, nor for non-administrative areas such as shops, laboratories, and areas containing any hazardous materials.

Office Self-Assessment Form (word)

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2022

This self-assessment form should be used to document safety assessments of individual offices. It should not be used for general administrative areas such as large office suites, areas with multiple cubicles, copy rooms, coffee rooms, and other common work areas, nor for non-administrative areas such as shops, laboratories, and areas containing any hazardous materials.

Office Self-Assessment Form (pdf)

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2022

This self-assessment form should be used to document safety assessments of individual offices. It should not be used for general administrative areas such as large office suites, areas with multiple cubicles, copy rooms, coffee rooms, and other common work areas, nor for non-administrative areas such as shops, laboratories, and areas containing any hazardous materials.

Risk of Fire Notice: Recall of SMC Oscillating Fans

September 12, 2022
Office of Environment, Health, and Safety

On Friday, September 9, 2022, Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) responded to a fire incident at 2000 Carleton Street resulting from a defect in a recalled “SMC” brand pedestal oscillating floor fans.

What happened?

On the morning of September 9th, a pedestal floor fan used in the mailroom of the facilities services building suddenly ignited itself, without an external catalyst, and started burning. Upon noticing the flames coming from the fan, an employee located a portable fire extinguisher and put the fire out. On scene investigation determined that...

Respiratory Protection

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.

Do not...