During National Biosafety Month in October, EH&S is encouraging labs working with biohazards to identify hazards that could be substituted with a safer alternative to reduce the potential for harm while performing the same role.
Examples of safer alternatives include:
When evaluating potential substitutes, remember that an effective substitute is one that can reduce the potential for harmful effects and does not introduce new risks.
Substitution is one method of mitigating hazards that comprises the Hierarchy of Controls, an approach for evaluating how to reduce or limit the risks of an adverse outcome when working with a hazard, featured in the (Lab R.A.T). Substituting hazards will not eliminate the need for other controls, such as administrative controls and proper use of PPE. Employing all the different risk mitigation strategies in the Hierarchy of Controls will create a safer work environment.
If your lab has identified creative ways to substitute hazardous agents, instruments, or activities with safer alternatives, we would love to hear your story and share it with other labs!
For any questions or comments, please contact the EH&S Biosafety Team at ehsbio@uw.edu or 206-221-7770.
Incoming graduate students working in laboratories or other research spaces with hazards at any...
EH&S’s Laboratory...
© 20 UW Environmental Health & Safety Department | 201 Hall Health Center, Box 354400, Seattle, WA | Tel: 206.543.7262 | Fax: 206.543.3351 | ehsdept@uw.edu