Category: Announcements

USC Researcher Spotlight (Biosafety Month 2024)

Professor Cheryl Mae Craft, Ph.D. October marks International Biosafety and Biosecurity Month, a time to reflect on the critical importance of safety in research environments. At USC, our focus is promoting best practices that protect researchers, their teams, and the communities they serve. Whether handling biohazardous materials, ensuring the safe disposal of lab waste, or…

Happy Biosafety Month!

Happy Biosafety Month and Happy Halloween! What do Biosafety Month and Halloween have in common? Both happen in October and can bring up scary images. But, this month, we’re highlighting how to contain the real fright – biohazards – and keep our labs safe! Join USC EH&S for weekly activities, prizes, and essential tips to…

New Web Page Published: Hazardous & Compressed Gases

Compressed gases, though widely used in USC research laboratories, USC shop locations (instructional, fabrication), and USC facilities, present physical, chemical, and health hazards. It is critically important then to consult key references (including manufacturer’s safety guidelines) before planning and executing work with compressed gases. See the Hazardous and Compressed Gases web page….

Workplace Violence Prevention Training

As part of USC’s commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment for faculty, staff, students, alumni, volunteers, and visitors, the university maintains a Violence-Free Campus Workplace Policy. Recently, California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) released new regulations requiring employers, including USC, to develop a formal plan and train employees on the prevention of…

2024 Asbestos-Containing Materials Building Inventory Memo

USC is committed to maintaining a healthy and safe environment. In compliance with California regulations (Connelly Act), USC Environmental Health & Safety is required to identify areas at USC where asbestos may be present in building materials. The annual inventory was recently updated on April 29, 2024. If there are any questions regarding asbestos-containing materials,…

New Guide Sheet Available: Waste Anesthetic Gas Canisters

Waste Anesthetic Gas (WAG) Canisters are passive gas filters that rely on anesthesia flow and the anesthetized animal’s exhalation volume to push waste anesthetic gases into the charcoal canisters. Download the guide sheet for instructions on use, storage, and disposal of the canisters. The guide sheet is also available at the Fact/Guide Sheets and Health…

New SOP Available: “Safe Autoclave Operation”

An autoclave (or steam sterilizer) uses steam heat under pressure to sterilize/decontaminate medical/lab items contaminated with microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores. Autoclaves are mostly used in laboratory settings to sterilize surgical instruments and glassware for example. This SOP offers the end user guidelines on the safe operation of the autoclave….

Attention EHSA Users! Access now requires USC Secure Network (e.g., VPN) connection

In our ongoing efforts to enhance data security and privacy, a secured USC internet connection is now required to access the EHSA application. Secure internet connections at USC: Questions? If you have any questions or encounter difficulties setting up VPN access, contact your local IT team which may be able to assist with your specific…