Regents Approve
National Security
Labs Board

As part of its ongoing commitment to sustain and strengthen management practices at the two UC-managed national security laboratories, the University of California Board of Regents voted Thursday to create a National Security Laboratories Board of Directors. The board will have broad powers and report to the regents. "The (board) will bring a breadth of strong expertise to the oversight of the weapons laboratories," said UC President Robert C. Dynes. This and other items, including a story about Berkeley Lab research on commercial building energy, is in the latest edition of UC’s LabUPDATE. Read it here.

Waste Transport
Controls Include
E-Waste Pick-Ups

Lab transportation drivers will pick up and move just about anything, but not hazardous waste, and that includes electronic wastes (like computer monitors and computers, televisions and oscilloscopes). That’s a job for the trained staff in Environment, Health and Safety. Effective Dec. 8, a form will be e-mailed to employees to complete prior to any pickup requested from Transportation. The addition of e-waste this year to the hazardous list means that things like damaged monitors should not be left lying around on lab property. Go here to learn more about this program.

OSHA is Coming:
Are You Prepared?

Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) personnel will visit the Lab Jan. 12-23 to conduct a site-wide audit. Inspectors will visit all laboratories and mechanical rooms. During their walk-throughs, audit teams may interview Lab employees to assess their understanding of environment, health, and safety programs. In preparation for the OSHA visit, EH&S will make available periodic surveys for employees to test and enhance their knowledge in health hazard communication, chemical and electrical safety, and general workplace safety. These will appear in future editions of “Today at Berkeley Lab.”

From left: Deb Hopkins, Piermaria Oddone, Cheryl Fragiadakis

Inventions Benefiting
Society are Honored

Last Friday, Director Charles Shank presented 16 Lab employees with Technology Transfer Awards. The honor recognizes inventors and their technologies, which by virtue of being transferred, bring benefit to society. This year’s list includes aerosol-sealant systems, an energy efficient fume hood, and an in-vivo biomarker for cell senescence. Go here to see a complete list of winners and their technologies.

Open Enrollment
Nears the End

The Lab’s Benefits Office would like to remind employees that Open Enrollment — which is the only opportunity each year to make changes to healthcare plans — ends on Sunday, Nov. 30, at midnight. Those needing assistance using the new online system can visit the computer lab in Building 51L between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. tomorrow, and receive help from benefits staff.

Science Museum
Gift Fair at the Lab

Get a head start on holiday gift buying by attending a gift fair at the Lab on Tuesday, Dec. 2, and Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the cafeteria. The fair features items from the Lawrence Hall of Science’s museum store. Educational toys, kits, and gifts for all ages will be featured. A free Sunprint Kit will be given for each purchase over $50.