News

March 05, 2026

The University of Maryland Student Sustainability Fee created the Sustainability Fund, empowering students, faculty, and staff to launch sustainability projects across campus. Over 15 years, the fund has supported more than 200 initiatives that advance environmental innovation and student engagement.

February 25, 2026

The University of Maryland marked its second annual Lab Safety Awareness Week (February 9–13, 2026) with a series of events recognizing the individuals, systems, and shared commitments that sustain a strong culture of research safety across campus.

February 16, 2026

The Green Terp Bucket List empowers students to explore campus, engage in sustainability activities, and earn badges and graduation recognition while building a greener UMD community.

December 04, 2025

The Department of Environmental Safety, Sustainability & Risk has launched a new Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) webpage to support safer work practices across campus. The page explains what a JHA is, when it should be used, and how supervisors and employees can work together to identify hazards and select appropriate controls.

November 19, 2025

UMD earned First Place in the ABSA International Biosafety Month Outreach Award for its creative poster series honoring biosafety and biosecurity heroes across campus. This recognition highlights the Biosafety team’s innovative approach to promoting a strong culture of safety at the university.

October 17, 2025

October is Campus Sustainability Month, and the Office of Sustainability is hosting the third annual Campus Sustainability Month Celebration!

October 14, 2025

The ESSR Annual Report is now available, highlighting our accomplishments, key initiatives, and continued commitment to fostering a safe and sustainable campus community.

September 26, 2025

ESSR is celebrating the 12th anniversary of Biosafety & Biosecurity Month with the theme “It takes a village to build a culture of biosafety,” highlighting campus-wide collaboration in research safety.

September 18, 2025

The University of Maryland’s Pest Control Management Units have inspected and thoroughly treated the campus locations where body lice were reported. Inspections are continuing to ensure that no additional areas are affected. If you see a problem on campus, please submit a request through the Facilities Service Central portal. If you are experiencing symptoms, contact the University Health Center. All known areas have been inspected and treated.

September 18, 2025

Al Sactor, Assistant Director in the Fire Marshal Office at ESSR, received the President’s Distinguished Service Award. This marks the first time an ESSR team member has earned this prestigious university honor.

September 16, 2025

The 2025 Annual Fire Safety Report is available.

September 03, 2025

ESSR and UMPD conclude $2.9M grant, strengthening campus safety and partnership.

August 19, 2025

Ben McGee, ESSR’s Assistant Director for Radiation Safety / Radiation Safety Officer, will serve on a National Academies committee examining radiation exposure and health outcomes for flight crewmembers.

June 23, 2025

With the summer season beginning, it is critical that we maintain a safe and healthy environment for our campus community. The university has guidelines to help you manage your workforce in summer conditions.

June 09, 2025

UMD requires all Summer Terrapin Youth Programs to meet safety requirements, including TerpLink registration and CPS/CJIS clearances. ESSR provides support and will monitor compliance to ensure all programs are fully approved before they begin.

June 06, 2025

Jason Baer and Kaitlyn Peterson from ESSR’s Office of Environmental Affairs co-authored a recently published study on an IoT-based stormwater monitoring system deployed at the University of Maryland.

May 20, 2025

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Mary Dorman as Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Safety, Sustainability and Risk.

March 10, 2025

ESSR IS HIRING: Executive Director, Youth Protection Compliance Manager, and Biosafety Program Manager

January 30, 2025

2024 Summary of Work-Related Injury and Illnesses is now available.

January 28, 2025

As we continue with winter, we should consider hazards including slippery roads/surfaces, strong winds and cold stress. All of us at UMD can prevent illnesses, injuries, or fatalities by controlling these hazards to protect ourselves and each other when we are impacted by winter weather.

October 22, 2024

The Office of Sustainability has added new pages to their website to address the challenges posed by climate change.

October 15, 2024

ESSR Annual Report is now available.

October 03, 2024

"The Tea with Biosafety" is a short podcast consisting of four episodes to give listeners a window into the day-to-day as well as a broad overview for a potential career in Biosafety.

September 11, 2024

The Division of Administration's 2024 Annual Report provides an overview of the organization, our people, our work, key accomplishments and initiatives.

August 22, 2024

The Office of Research Safety has successfully implemented a new laboratory hazard warning signage system, replacing over 2,000 signs across campus.

August 03, 2024

The Ask ESSR Portal has launched your your one-stop solution for streamlined support from the University of Maryland's Department of Environmental Safety, Sustainability, and Risk. Learn more about how the portal works.

June 24, 2024

This video will provide you information on how we in the UMD community can protect ourselves and each other from heat-related illnesses.

June 13, 2024

With the days getting hotter, we must use the right controls for preventing heat-related illnesses such as heat rash, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

March 26, 2024

In the first half of March, UMD experienced two fires inside campus buildings caused by electric micromobility vehicles. As stated in a Fall 2023 communication to campus and in other communications, electric micromobility vehicles (e-scooters, e-skateboards, electric bicycles, e-hoverboards) are not allowed inside campus buildings.

March 08, 2024

ESSR has now launched a landing page for Entrepreneurship Safety Support! Designed for entrepreneurs, our landing page offers guidance navigating start-up formation, from completing the Facility Use Application to obtaining a Facilities Use License here at UMD. Explore our safety templates and regulatory references, ensuring compliance and safety for your business.

December 21, 2023

BioRAFT has been rebranded and is now SciShield! They are the same product, team, and company but with refreshed branding. The SciShield name embodies their mission to provide scientists and scientific organizations with the solutions required to maintain safe and productive laboratories.As part of the rebranding, beginning on January 2, 2024, our umd.BioRAFT.com instance will automatically redirect to umd.SciShield.com. You may still access the application using either URL.

December 16, 2022

New! Training is now available for filing Property Damage Claims.

October 28, 2020

Learn how the UMD Department of Laboratory Animal Resources continued providing quality animal care during the COVID-19 pandemic

October 28, 2020

Read how UMD researchers increased their focus on laboratory safety to continue operations during the COVID-19 pandemic

October 05, 2020

The Office of Research Safety is proud to announce that Official University of Maryland Laboratory Research Notebooks are available for purchase through the Department of Business Services. These attractive, durable notebooks come with a number of features that support robust management of research data.