LAB SAFETY SPECIALIST
Company: University of Washington
Location: Seattle
Posted on: January 26, 2023
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Job Description:
If you are using a screen reader and experience any difficulty
accessing our web pages, please call 206-543-2544 or email UWHires
and we will be happy to assist you. jump to content As a UW
employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our
campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer
their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and
dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional
growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted
for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and
natural beauty.
We have an outstanding opportunity for a Lab Safety Specialist.
Under general direction, this position will help administer and
implement the University of Washington's (UW) Laboratory Safety
Inspection Program which includes approximately 4,000 laboratory
rooms and about 1,000 research groups. This program is a
comprehensive health and safety audit program in place for
University research laboratories where hazardous materials are
used. The program includes laboratories at UW Seattle, Tacoma,
Bothell, Friday Harbor, satellite facilities, and some leased
facilities. This position will ensure that the program conforms to
institutional and department policies and regulations. An effective
Laboratory Safety Inspection Program is critical to help the
University ensure health and safety of personnel, environmental
protection, public trust, and compliance with federal, state and
location regulations. This position is a lab Safety Specialist in
the Environmental Health and Safety Department (EH&S).
The position requires a thorough understanding and knowledge of
laboratory safety regulations, funding agency requirements, and
University policy. It requires the ability to interpret, apply, and
assess compliance for numerous complex and technical regulations
for laboratories. It also requires strong understanding of hazard
and risk assessment, risk and risk communication. These assessments
require judgment, innovation, and advanced technical expertise in
applying regulations and best practices to a diverse collection of
research and teaching spaces. This position requires minimal
supervision and is expected to regularly exercise independent
decision-making, advanced technical expertise and judgment on
program development, direction, and client service delivery for
complex laboratory safety issues.
This position is critical for partnering with UW organizational
units with the goal of providing a safe University laboratory
environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors and is
responsible for the implementation of a multi-faceted, critical
Laboratory Safety Inspection Program for the University. The safest
achievable work environment can minimize accident or injury to the
individuals in the lab as well as help protect laboratory equipment
and data. This position provides regulatory compliance support to
the University's research and teaching mission. Failure on the part
of the University to comply with these mandated laws and rules
could result in injuries, regulatory citations, monetary penalty
assessments, and possible civil and criminal sanctions against the
University and its officials.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Laboratory Inspector and Mentor
--- Provide evaluation, consultation, and support to ensure health
and safety and compliance, in the University's various complex
research and teaching laboratories, in addition to carrying our
inspections via established procedures.
--- Developing compliance tools and training materials for
laboratories, reviewing existing practices, and recommending
changes that support minimization of hazards to meet UW
expectations as stated in policy documents.
--- Conduct routine lab safety inspections and schedule visits via
the established program.
--- Provide support or escalated consultation and technical
expertise on best practices in laboratories as determined by
inspection results, incidents, or by request based on need for
hazard mitigation or compliance.
--- Perform data analysis and reporting as needed.
--- Update policies, procedures, checklists, web references, and
materials that support the inspection program as needed.
--- Support the annual Lab Safety Manual review and revision
process.
--- Identify measures to monitor the effectiveness and improve the
laboratory inspection program and related processes.
--- Work with organizational units and laboratories to implement
consistent practices and procedures; provide oversight and
routinely evaluate the effectiveness of inspection program.
--- Review complex research protocols, identify hazards to
personnel, and assist researchers and research support staff in
mitigating hazards by providing consultation, assist with
laboratory procedures, personal protective equipment, chemical
management practices, and lab specific training.
--- Provide expertise for the interpretation, application, and
implementation safety regulations, research safety, field
investigations, hazard communication, laboratory safety.
--- Assist research departments understand and implement
requirements and best practices identified in the University's
Laboratory Safety Manual.
--- Develop and lead departmental process for safety review of
chemical handling and other occupational hazards in the laboratory
environment.
--- In coordination with client groups, develop and implement
compliance strategies to address regulatory mandates, which
recognize the complex operational and business lines of the
University.
--- Determine laboratory compliance requirements; identify areas
for improvement; in both technical and layman's terms, communicate
requirements, University policy, implementing
guidelines/recommendations and relative risk to all levels of
management, employees, professional and technical staff.
--- Provide recommendations for engineering and administrative
controls primarily to address chemical and physical hazards in the
laboratory; also general work practices and organization
strategies, personal protective equipment, and training.
--- Review accident/injury/illness trend analysis; identify
intervention strategies and necessary policy and program
improvements. --- Participate in long-range strategic planning;
identify initiatives and operational activities to ensure
University compliance with changing standards of safety
regulations.
--- Assimilate complex health and safety regulations and knowledge
of University operations to develop and present technical training,
web guidelines, and other educational outreach materials for
delivery to audiences with a broad range of educational and
technical backgrounds.
--- Conduct training related laboratory/research safety, chemical
safety, personal protective equipment, hazard communication, and
other lab safety related topics.
--- Participate in University and state advisory and/or technical
committees and organizational lab safety committees, as
assigned.
Departmental Activities and Special Projects
--- Participate in EH&S departmental and team meetings, work on
special projects, other duties/projects as assigned.
--- Incorporate strategic planning initiatives from the EH&S
Strategic plan into routine work. Support data gathering for
metrics and performance monitoring of programs to ensure
organizational efficiencies and desired outcomes are met and
program goals are reached.
--- May serve as the University's EH&S On-Call (Duty Officer)
on a rotational basis.
Requirements include:
--- Bachelor's Degree in Science such as chemistry, biochemistry,
engineering, other natural science, environmental and occupational
health sciences, public health and 4-5 years of relevant
professional experience
--- Thorough understanding and knowledge of laboratory safety
regulations, funding agency requirements, and University policy.
Ability to interpret, apply, and assess compliance for numerous
complex and technical regulations for laboratories.
--- Strong understanding of hazard and risk assessment, risk and
risk communication
--- Demonstrated ability to provide judgment, innovation, and
advanced technical expertise in applying regulations and best
practices to a diverse collection of research and teaching
spaces
--- The ability to regularly exercise independent decision-making,
advanced technical expertise and judgment on program development,
direction, and client service delivery for complex laboratory
safety issues, with minimal supervision
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum
qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a
license/certification/registration.
Desired:
--- Advanced degree in chemistry, biochemistry, other natural
science, engineering, environmental and occupational health
sciences, public health
As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life
programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this
position, please visit our website, click here.
Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of
a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information
that will be used in the evaluation process. These may include Work
Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you
need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select
"Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be
completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you
will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs"
page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My
Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your
application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered
for this position until all required assessments have been
completed.
Applicants considered for this position will be required to
disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or
current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their
current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required
under Washington state law .
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the
University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives
and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and
maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive,
equitable and welcoming.To request disability accommodation in the
application process, contact the Disability Services Office at
206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu .COVID-19 VACCINATION
REQUIREMENTEmployees of the University of Washington are required
to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless a medical or
religious exemption is approved. Being fully vaccinated means that
an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an
authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. As a condition of employment,
newly hired employees will be required to provide proof of their
COVID-19 vaccination. View the Final candidate guide to COVID-19
vaccination requirement webpage for information about the medical
or religious exemption process for final candidates.
Keywords: University of Washington, Seattle , LAB SAFETY SPECIALIST, Healthcare , Seattle, Washington
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