tulane university - office of environmental health & safety (oehs) abandoned laboratory...

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Abandoned Laboratory Chemicals

Tulane University

May 2012


Objectives

• Definition

• Policy

• Procedure

• Summary

Definitions

• What is an abandoned laboratory?

• What are the issues associated with abandoned laboratories?

• How can abandoned laboratories be prevented?

• What are the resources available to help?


What is an abandoned laboratory?

• Research conducted in laboratories on campus can involve the use of biological, chemical and radiological materials and sources.

• When faculty members leave the university, they sometimes fail to provide for the final disposition of these hazardous materials.

• Laboratories that contain hazardous materials without a responsible faculty member in charge are referred to as “abandoned” laboratories.


What are the issues with abandoned laboratories?

• The department to whom the abandoned laboratory belongs is responsible for dealing with any hazardous materials in the space.

• Disposal of the materials is difficult and expensive.

• Determining the composition of unknown materials is expensive and labor-intensive.


What are the issues with abandoned laboratories?

• Abandoned Drug Enforcement Agency controlled substances, Select Agents and radioactive materials are violations of Federal and State regulations.

• If the personnel who worked in the laboratory were to prepare the materials for disposal, regulatory violations would be eliminated and costs could be reduced dramatically.


How can abandoned laboratories be prevented?

• Departmental Chair Responsibilities: Each department should establish and enforce a policy requiring laboratories to be cleared, decontaminated and cleaned before a faculty member leaves the campus.

• Faculty Responsibilities: Faculty members should dispose of their hazardous materials, and decontaminate and clean the laboratory before they leave the university (see Procedures for Laboratory Close-Out).


How can abandoned laboratories be prevented?

• Faculty members who leave for periods of 90 days or longer should place their hazardous materials in proper long-term storage or make arrangements for adequate supervision over their laboratories in their absence.


What are the resources available to help?

• OEHS will assist departments in dealing with hazardous materials

• Faculty members or departmental chairs must initiate a request for this assistance.

• OEHS can provide advice and guidance on preparing hazardous materials for disposal and arrange for the pick up biological, chemical and radioactive wastes for final disposal.

• OEHS staff members must survey laboratories using radioactive materials before they can be released for unrestricted use.


Policy• Abandoned chemicals in laboratories create unsafe

and non-compliant conditions.• As per hazardous waste regulations, these labs are

considered abandoned waste sites and are subjected to accumulation deadlines and fines.

• These orphan materials are expensive and time consuming to manage.

• It is imperative that principal investigators, laboratory staff and departmental chairs take responsibility for properly closing-out these laboratories.


Policy

• Before leaving your laboratory or assigned space, all unwanted chemicals, research samples, and chemical waste must be disposed following the normal hazardous material pickup request process.

• Please note that you are responsible for all materials in your area, including materials you purchased, created, or may have inherited from former laboratory occupants.

• The role of the OEHS is to provide consultation and assistance with the Laboratory Close-Out process.


Disposal CostsDisposal Costs

• The OEHS is responsible for the cost of disposal associated with chemical waste from laboratories and other areas that is generated through normal research and work activities.

• The OEHS is not responsible for the cost of disposing of unwanted/old chemicals from principle investigators/researchers/others separating from the University.


Lab CleanoutsLab Cleanouts

• Any department which needs disposal of chemicals that are generated due to a lab or other area closing down or being renovated must bear the cost for disposal of those chemicals.

• OEHS must receive a signed IT before it makes any arrangements with a commercial disposal company for removal and disposal of such chemicals.

• You must go through OEHS for disposal of all “Hazardous Waste”. Contact OEHS for estimates if needed.


Policy

• OEHS will remove the materials once we receive the pick up request and IT.

• If materials are abandoned by laboratory occupants, then it is the department's responsibility to identify unwanted materials, prepare and submit a request for those materials.


Procedures

• OEHS has limits in capabilities of removing large volumes of materials in a short period of time. The following are recommendations to ease the process as much as possible:

– Develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for your departmental regarding proper laboratory close-out procedures.

– Plan ahead. The close-out process can take days to weeks. If there are time-driven deadlines, contact OEHS as soon as possible, so we may assist you in meeting your deadlines.

– Assign an individual in the department to implement the laboratory decommissioning policy.


Procedures

• The decommissioning process can be time-consuming for the researcher, but is necessary to maintain a safe and healthy work environment.

• Unwanted materials must be submitted for pickup on a "Hazardous Material Pickup Request Form” found at http://tulane.edu/oehs/hazard/hazwastepickuprequest.cfm.


Procedures• Submit pickup requests • All materials must be properly labeled and in appropriate

containers with tight fitting lids. • Segregate unknown materials and submit them on a

separate pickup request. • Keep radioactive and biological materials separated from

all other chemicals. • Redistribute useable materials to other researchers in the

department. • Maintain current chemical inventories for each laboratory. • Buy only what you need. • Practice good laboratory hygiene. • Contact OEHS for assistance.


Summary

• Manage each lab according to university’s policies and procedures.

• Don’t abandon chemicals in lab

• Fill out Laboratory Close-out form

• Remember abandoned chemicals cost more in the long run.


Tulane UniversityOffice of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

http://tulane.edu/oehsPam Fatland, Chemical Safety Manager, 504-988-2800

[email protected]

If unable to proceed to quiz, type the link below into your browserhttps://audubon.tulane.edu/ehs/enterssn.cfm?testnum=135

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