Friday Harbor Labs is dedicated to providing a safe and healthful place for employment, education, and research. Below are general safety rules and guidelines. For how to report or respond to an injury, illness, or disaster, see:

In Case of Emergency

The FHL campus and surrounding preserve present the risks associated with any natural environment in addition to those that accompany proximity to the ocean, time spent on vessels, and laboratory research. The rules and guidelines below are designed to reduce these risks, and apply to everyone while on the FHL campus. Before you visit, read through the information here, think about the conditions you may experience, and plan accordingly.

Foot Injuries, Slips, Trips, & Falls

  • Shoes are required everywhere except in housing units
  • Closed-toe shoes are required in lab spaces and on the research vessel
  • Non-slip, treaded shoes with ankle support are recommended

Most of the walkways on campus are unpaved, dirt or gravel trails where one will encounter sharp rocks and sticks as well as uneven, slick, wet (sometimes icy) terrain, steep inclines, and limited to no lighting at night. There are additional hazards on board the research vessel (e.g. heavy equipment) and in laboratory spaces (glass shards, spilled chemicals).

The type of shoe can make a difference: good footwear with non-slip, treaded soles and ankle support is helpful for providing stability and maintaining footing. Waterproof hiking boots are ideal, especially in winter, when standing water is common. Of equal importance is attentiveness: watch your step!

Safety at Night

  • A headlamp (with spare batteries) is strongly recommended!

In some areas of campus and throughout the surrounding preserve, there is little to no artificial lighting and after the sun sets, it can be very dark – especially in the thick of the forest. The darkness not only increases the risk for slips, trips, and falls, but also for getting lost and disoriented. And while the flashlight mode on a phone can be used in a pinch, a bright, wide-angle headlamp offers better and hands-free coverage.

Water Safety

  • Life jackets are required on rowboats and small motorboats.
  • Life jackets are required for children 12 yrs and under on the FHL pier and docks.
  • Children 12 and under must be directly supervised by an adult or designated supervisor (age 16+) at all times on the FHL pier and docks.
  • Bicycles are not allowed on the FHL pier or docks.
  • An in-person orientation with the FHL Boating Safety Officer is required in order to use the rowboats.
  • A WA State Boater Education Card as well as short course and checkout with the FHL Boating Safety Officer is required in order to use FHL motorboats.
  • Anyone who plans to conduct research under water (on SCUBA or snorkel), should contact the FHL Dive Safety Officer in advance of their visit for requirements and procedures.

Along the shore, on vessels, and in the water, an obvious and serious hazard is the ocean itself – where drowning and/or hypothermia (in water temperatures of 50-55 F) are risks. Respect the water and follow all rules and regulations above and as communicated by FHL Marine Operations personnel.

Laboratory Safety (for details, see Research Procedures)

  • All research conducted at FHL must follow the rules and procedures for laboratory safety at the University of Washington (UW), too numerous to list here but including:
    • Complete the required trainings and use the appropriate equipment (including PPE) for any chemicals or procedures being used.
    • Ensure that any students or assistants working with you are appropriately trained and equipped for chemicals and procedures being used.
    • Properly store and label all chemicals.
    • Have on hand the Safety Data Sheets and Standard Operating Procedures for any chemicals and procedures being used.
  • All research conducted at FHL must follow additional safety procedures specific to FHL, including:
    • Record any chemicals brought/shipped to FHL.
    • Dispose of hazardous waste chemicals properly.
    • If a course instructor, check out and return any stockroom chemicals being used, not allowing course students to do so.
    • Never leave chemicals behind in research spaces or with other researchers upon departure from FHL.

Safety of Children

  • Children 12 and under must be directly supervised by an adult or designated supervisor (age 16+) at all times on the FHL pier and docks and inside any FHL building other than their housing unit.

FHL is strongly committed to providing scientists with families the opportunity to conduct their research. The campus offers 2-bedroom cottages and duplexes designed for families and even a small playground area for small children. However, the hazards of the ocean and of laboratory research make it imperative that children are directly supervised at all times.

 

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