Workplace Safety

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

Laboratory Ergonomics

June 24, 2025

The campus Ergonomics program is a faculty and staff support unit part of the Be Well at Work program under University Health Services. They provide assistance to departments to guide ergonomic improvement for campus faculty and staff work environments to prevent and address repetitive strain injury.

Their primary goal for departments with lab environments is to help labs address ergonomic risk from a design and equipment standpoint. Most of the fundamental ergonomic risks faced in lab work can be attributed to lack of adjustability, manual...

Duwon Choi

Safety Specialist
Workplace Safety

Important PPE Services and Reminders

May 6, 2025
Office of Environment, Health, and Safety

Please review the following personal protective equipment (PPE) reminders and share this information with lab members.

Get a bulk replacement of clean coats

EH&S is now offering bulk lab coat replacements. This time of the year is a good time to exchange your lab coat for a clean one, even if there are no visible stains or spillage on it.

To request bulk lab coat replacements (5 or more coats), fill out the Bulk Lab Coat Replacement...

Asbestos Safety on The UC Berkeley Campus

Office of Environment, Health & Safety

EH&S assists the campus in complying with asbestos laws and regulations by assessing the potential risk from asbestos exposure and developing measures to control those exposures. In addition, EH&S together with Facilities Services (formerly PP-CS), responds to campus asbestos concerns, provides sampling, consults with contractors, and recommends corrective actions in emergency situations. Contact EH&S for training on asbestos hazards and for additional campus information, see the...

Asbestos Safety

EH&S assists the campus in complying with asbestos laws and regulations by assessing the potential risk from asbestos exposure and developing measures to control those exposures. In addition, EH&S together with Facilities Services (formerly PP-CS), responds to campus asbestos concerns, provides sampling, consults with contractors, and recommends corrective actions in emergency situations.

Contact EH&S for training on asbestos hazards and for additional campus information see the...

Fire Safety & Lab Doors: Propping Open Doors

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2025

Many people prop doors open for ease of access or to increase airflow. However, not all doors are allowed to be propped open. Laboratory doors and any door opening into a corridor should never be propped open.

Access to many campus labs is restricted to approved personnel due to the presence of hazardous materials and equipment, including lasers, radiation sources, as well as biological and chemical agents. These areas require specific safety training and personal protective equipment (PPE) before entry is permitted. Any lab that handles...

Required Heat Illness Prevention Training

March 4, 2025
Office of Environment, Health, and Safety

A new Cal/OSHA Indoor Heat Illness Standard went into effect July 2024 to protect workers in areas where temperatures may exceed 82°F. During Bay Area heat waves, our building ventilation systems may be challenged to maintain temperatures below this threshold, potentially affecting all campus employees.

Action Required

Complete the Heat Illness Prevention Training by Friday, April 4...

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.

Rooftop Work Safety Plan Checklist

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2020