Simple tips for incident reporting

Polish up your reporting skills! Great incident reports help us to spot trends and address concerns quickly. 

Laser lab retrofit underway

Nearly 30 U of A research groups applied to participate in the institutionally-funded program to update spaces with laser-rated curtains and window coverings. 

Practical guidance for CL-2 lab managers

A new resource series aims to simplify federal requirements for work in level 2 spaces.

Working in extreme heat?

It's sizzling out there! Learn what it takes to work safely in hot conditions.

HBBFE exposure on the job?

Know what to do in case of human blood or other body fluid exposure (HBBFE) at work.

Severe storm season: there's an app for that

Are you working outdoors or traveling for work? Monitor the temperature, river levels, and even lightning activity in your area.

Message from the Emergency Management Team:

We recommend that all labs located in the basement of any building have a wired phone. This is so that anyone can call 911 if needed, especially if there is no cell coverage in the lab.  

New Field Research Office Director

Welcome to Dr. Erin Bayne, who starts a three-year term as the Field Research Office director on July 1. 

Train, explain, maintain

Element 3 of the HSEMS requires workers to be trained & competent before starting work. In short:

1. Assess your hazards & identify training needs 
2. Complete the training
3. Demonstrate (or explain) to your supervisor what you've learned
4. Retrain as required

"Mystery waste" leads to safety improvements

Upon discovering improperly labeled chemical waste in a fume hood, a PI correctly did the following:

• Recognized a gap in safety practices & took action (including halting all work in the lab to investigate)
• Reported the unsafe condition to HSE
• Took steps to improve waste handling, labeling, and documentation