UVA-VPR

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY

 
REPORT AN ACCIDENT, SAFETY CONCERN, NEAR-MISS OR HAZARDOUS SITUATION! USE THIS FORM.

View all waste types.

Waste pick-up & new container online request form (except for Radioactive Waste).

More waste information can be found on the following pages:

AEROSOL CANS - All unwanted cans MUST be collected by EHS!

BIOLOGICAL WASTE

CHEMICAL WASTE

EMPTY CHEMICAL CONTAINERS

HOSPITAL WASTE (generated in patient care areas)

NON-LABORATORY WASTE

RADIOACTIVE WASTE

SATELLITE ACCUMULATION AREAS

Search Training Records.

View list of all training modules.

View list of training modules available online.

STAR - Safety, Training & Record-keeping

STAR is an online application designed to help faculty and staff to manage documentation of Federally required training and research related compliance data at the University of Virginia.

STAR allows users to document locally provided training and track UVA provided training.

STAR automatically integrates data and program access for UVA's IACUC, OAW, CCM, IBC, EHS Biosafety, Door Signs (aka Hazard Communication Signs), Laser Safety & Radiation Safety into a single page for the user.

Log-in to STAR

University departments ship a variety of "hazardous materials", also termed dangerous goods including infectious substances, dry ice, other biologicals, and sometimes may need to ship chemical or radioactive materials. These shipments are highly regulated depending upon the material, the mode of transportation, the commercial carrier, and the destination.

Environmental Health & Safety is available to assist faculty, staff, and students who make hazardous material shipments. EHS can provide training, guidance and support services that will help ensure hazardous material shipments arrive at their destination in the safest way possible.

View our shipping page for more information.

All laboratories MUST have a Hazard Communication Door Sign!

As required by regulation and for the benefit of UVA personnel, outside contractors, emergency personnel, or other visitors to an area, UVA posts a Hazard Communication Sign on all laboratory doors and other select room doors where hazardous materials may be present.

The Hazard Communication Sign will display (through symbols, icons and text) which types of hazards (e.g. biological, radiological, or chemical) are potentially present beyond the door. The sign will also list PI(s) and emergency contact information.

When personnel are present in a space, enter as instructed; if uncertain about entering an unoccupied space, refer to the emergency contacts list displayed on the sign.

View our door sign page for more information.

Assistance is provided as a free service. With our expertise, the process is much easier than trying to move a research lab by oneself.

NEW LABS - Information for New Principal Investigators moving into lab space.

ESTABLISHED LABS - Information for Labs who are moving to, or expanding to, other UVA space.

LAB DECOMMISSIONING - To assist any laboratory that plans to move laboratory equipment and/or hazardous materials (i.e. chemical, biological, radioactive). Environmental Health & Safety assistance ensures that materials are moved safely and in compliance with federal, state or local regulations. EHS facilitates laboratory moves and relocations throughout the University and to other institutions, as well as laboratory closeout due to retirement.

Welcome to the University of Virginia!

As you prepare to move your lab from another institution, or start up your new lab, please feel free to contact UVA’s Chemical Safety Officer with any questions regarding your new lab space or any special lab equipment requirements (e.g., facility-specific or safety considerations). Please contact your department for questions related to facility requirements you may have.

Environmental Health & Safety functions as a research support office and as such does not directly bill for any of our services. We will provide whatever assistance we can in making your research lab’s transition to UVA as seamless as possible.

We look forward to working with you!

FAQ FOR NEW PIs

Information for New PIs moving into UVA lab space.

SEARCH Safety Data Sheets.

The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires that employees be provided information about the physical and health hazards of the chemicals they use or are potentially exposed to in their work area.

The primary communication tool is the Safety Data Sheet or SDS (formerly Material Safety Data Sheet). The SDS for each hazardous chemical must be readily accessible to employees. Electronic access is permitted as an alternative to paper copies as long as no barriers to immediate employee access are created (i.e. An employee asking a supervisor for access to an SDS constitutes a barrier. If computer access is not provided for an employee, accessible paper copies are required.)

Those responsible (supervisor, researcher, instructor) for a given work or research area must ensure employees understand how to access their SDSs, and that access is barrier-free.

View our Safety Data Sheet page for more information.

University of Virginia - Environmental Health & Safety Statement

The following statement is for inclusion in research proposals that require a brief overview of the University of Virginia's environmental, health, safety, quality assurance practices, and oversight.

"The University of Virginia is a major research institution. Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) is responsible for coordinating and monitoring the execution of all health, safety, and hazardous material use activities at the University. EHS assists individuals, departments, and committees, to achieve compliance with University, local, state and federal policies and regulations. EHS serves as the University’s liaison with external regulatory agencies. Compliance is monitored through audit, program development, education, accident investigation, and consultation. Online training modules are provided by EHS to satisfy regulatory training requirements. Full-time Biosafety, Chemical Safety and Radiation Safety Officers, Hazardous Materials Manager, and Industrial Hygienists are available to consult and advise on appropriate safety procedures. The University has developed a Chemical Hygiene Plan, and EHS strongly recommends that each chemical laboratory maintain lab-specific Standard Operating Procedures. Proper Hazardous Waste collection and disposal is provided as a service to researchers through the EHS Hazardous Waste program."

See our Policy Page for more information.

Methylene Chloride (aka Dichloromethane)

Methylene Chloride is in use at UVA as a laboratory chemical. It is also a component of many common products, such as adhesive removers and cleaners.

If you use and/or store Methylene Chloride (including products which contain Methylene Chloride) at UVA please report your activities to EHS via email or call 2-4911.

Background: The EPA recently issued a new regulation, "Methylene Chloride; Regulation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)".  Under this new regulation, EHS is required to conduct exposure monitoring for all uses of Methylene Chloride by faculty, staff, and students. Find out more here.

 
Service Satisfaction Survey
Please complete this brief survey and give us your opinion about the services Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) has provided to you. All completed surveys are sent to the Director of EHS.