Guidelines for Moving Hazardous Materials Safety

MSDSs

Guidelines for Moving Hazardous Materials Safely

The purpose of this document is to assist you in safely moving hazardous materials from one laboratory to another or to another building. These guidelines also apply to darkrooms, chemical stockrooms, shops and common-use facilities. For information on vacating a laboratory, see Guidelines for Vacating a Laboratory. For information on regulations governing the transportation of hazardous materials, call the Office for Research Safety on either campus.

GENERAL

When chemical, biological, or radioactive materials are moved from one laboratory to another within a campus, they must be moved by the laboratory personnel who are most familiar with them. If chemicals, biological agents, or radioactive materials are moved across a public roadway, hazardous materials must be transported by a licensed hazardous materials transporter. You may not transport hazardous materials in your automobile or send them through campus mail. ORS can assist you in locating an appropriate transporter.

Dress appropriately when moving hazardous materials. Wear eye protection, a laboratory coat, gloves, long trousers, and shoes that fully cover your feet.

Use a sturdy cart when moving hazardous materials. Keep the center of gravity as low as possible, and do not overload the cart.

CHEMICALS

If you are vacating a laboratory, you might want to dispose of unneeded chemicals rather than move them. List these chemicals on a blue Surplus Chemical Collection form and return it to ORS for pickup. Please allow enough lead time for ORS to pick up the unneeded chemicals before the laboratory is vacated.

Put chemicals in sturdy boxes or other secondary containment devices before placing them on the cart. For moving short distances, ordinary chemicals may be transported on carts with adequate containing trays to keep the chemicals from falling off. Carcinogens must be placed in secondary outer containers during the move, especially if they are in glass.

Use great care when moving shock sensitive or explosive chemicals such as dry picric acid, methylnitro nitrosguanidine, or solid sodium azide. Use cushioning materials like vermiculite, styrofoam pellets, or crumpled newspapers to pack them in a pail, tray, or other such container before moving. Do not bump or jar these materials while in transit. ORS can advise and assist you in handling shock sensitive or other extremely hazardous chemicals or arrange for the disposal of these mateials.

Cylinders must be capped before moving. Use a cylinder cart to move large cylinders and chain or strap the cylinder to the cart. Lecture bottles must be secured to prevent leaking or damage to the valve prior moving.

BIOLOGICAL AGENTS

Biological agents, including human materials, must be in sealed leakproof containers or double bagged in red or orange bags before moving. Sealed containers are recommended.

Unneeded biological materials and biological waste should be autoclaved and disposed of instead of moving them.

Equipment which may become contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious material must be decontaminated before it is moved.

RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS

Radioactive materials are subject to more stringent regulations that most hazardous materials, and no radioactive material may be transferred between investigators, between campuses, or between institutions without prior approval by ORS. No radionuclides and no activity levels are exempt from this approval. An investigator may move his or her own material within the same campus without prior approval, but ORS should be notified so that the record of location may be revised accordingly.

Radioactive materials may be moved only by persons registered with ORS as radiation workers. For moving, radioactive materials must be in a strong, tightly sealed inner container with a secure cap or tight seal and with no contamination on the container. The container must be labeled to specify the radionuclide, the activity, and the date. This container should be inside an unbreakable container, surrounded with enough absorbent material to contain at least twice the volume of any liquid within the container.

For transfer outside the campus, ORS must inspect the packaging, including labels and markings and also make a contamination check. ORS will also check the transportation documents and mode of transportation. Keep in mind that some radioactive material packages are prohibited by law; thus, prior review by ORS is necessary. When a transfer is made to another investigator, another campus, or another institution, be sure to record the transfer on your Radionuclide Inventory Form.

For transfer to or from another institution, contact ORS for advice and assistance on the required paper work.

LIFTING TECHNIQUES

Back injury is one of the greatest hazards of moving. There is no one way to lift. It depends on the weight and shape of the load, the location of the load, and on your body condition. Keep in mind the following basic instructions, then let your common sense and your muscle sense tell you how to lift. Do it the way that is easiest and most comfortable for you.

Size up the load. Don't be a hero; get help if the load is heavy. Wear gloves, and use helpful devices, such as a hand truck, dolly, cart, or other equipment. Be sure the item to be moved is properly secured to not spill out or fall apart.

Get ready to lift. Spread your feet comfortably apart for balance and muscle advantage with one foot slightly back from the other, knees bent in a sit-down position close to the load. Keep your back straight, not necessarily vertical, with arms and chin tucked in. Grasp the load on opposite corners, using the whole hand. Now, stop just a second to get set, then start lifting.

Lift with one smooth motion with your legs, not your body. Keep the load close to your body with elbows tucked in. When you start to move, look where you are going. In turning, shift your feet instead of twisting your body.

When you set the load down, let the leg muscles carry it down. Make certain there is nothing in the way and your toes and fingers are clear.

External ORS Links: Northwestern Home | Vice President for Research | Big 10 EH&S Links | Risk Management | Employee Safety Handbook

ORS - Evanston • 2145 Sheridan Road • Tech NG71 • Evanston, IL 60208
ORS - Chicago • 303 E. Chicago Avenue • Ward B106 W223 • Chicago, IL 60611
Phone 847/491-5581 or 312/503-8300 • FAX 847/467-2797 or 312/503-0547
e-mail researchsafety@northwestern.edu
Last Revision 05/16/2007
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