Guidelines for Vacating a Laboratory

MSDSs

Guidelines for Vacating a Laboratory

The purpose of this document is to assist you in safely removing all hazardous materials from a laboratory being vacated and to leave the laboratory free from hazardous contamination. These guidelines also apply to darkrooms, chemical stockrooms, shops, and common-use facilities. For further information see the ORS document, Guidelines for Moving Hazardous Materials Safely. For information on regulations governing vacating a laboratory containing hazardous materials, call the Office for Research Safety on either campus.

GENERAL INFORMATION

It is the responsibility of the principal investigator (PI) to see that the laboratory is free from hazardous materials and contamination. If hazardous materials are left or contamination is not cleaned up, it becomes the department's responsibility to arrange for the cleanup and absorb the cost.

Maintenance personnel, renovation contractors, or new occupants for the space will not be allowed to handle abandoned hazardous materials or begin work in the space until it has been declared safe for occupancy.

PI LEAVING NU

A PI vacating a laboratory and leaving the University has the same responsibility for leaving the space free from hazardous materials and contamination as one who is relocating within the University. All hazardous materials not to be moved to the new location must be listed on a blue Surplus Chemical Collection Form for pickup before the space is vacated. Hazardous materials to be moved outside the University must be transported by a carrier authorized to do so under federal, state, and local regulations after it is properly packaged. ORS can assist in recommending licensed haulers.

Larger gas cylinders, sizes 1 through 4 must be returned to the vendor before leaving and may not be taken to another institution, since in most cases they have been leased by the University. Smaller cylinders, sizes 6 through 8 and lecture bottles, may be removed, since they usually have been purchased.

CHEMICALS

Lead time is very important. Inventory chemicals you need to dispose of several weeks in advance if possible, and prepare a blue Surplus Chemical Collection form. This will allow ORS ample time to remove the unwanted chemicals before the laboratory is vacated.

All contaminated empty containers must be removed and all cabinets and surfaces contaminated by hazardous chemicals must be cleaned before vacating the laboratory. Contaminated waste, such as gloves, paper, and other such materials must be double bagged in yellow bags and entered on a blue form for pickup and disposal.

BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS

Biological materials must be packed in a secondary, outer container containing the appropriate warning labels. If it is taken to another building, it must be transported according to Department of Transportation and Centers for Disease Control regulations.

Biological waste must be bagged in a red or orange bag, autoclaved to render it non-hazardous, then put in a brown or black outer bag for disposal as ordinary rubbish. All contaminated surfaces and equipment must be cleaned before vacating the laboratory.

Disposal of unwanted human or animal tissue is arranged on a case-to-case basis, depending on the presence of contamination with infectious agents or chemicals. Contact ORS for specific guidance.

RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS

Any radioactive materials to be transferred between investigators, between campuses, or between institutions is prohibited without prior approval of ORS. No radionuclides or activity levels are exempt from this regulation.

When the vacating investigator has removed all radioactive materials, including wastes, and has cleaned all known contamination, the investigator must call ORS for a closing survey. If contamination is found, the vacating investigator shall be required to clean up the contamination and ask for a follow-up survey. ORS will provided advice and containers for waste if requested.

In rare cases, contamination may be found fixed in place and cannot be removed. In such cases, ORS will determine the exposure rate near the surface and decide whether the contamination can remain in place with warning labels, or if it must be removed by special procedures.

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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