Laboratory Closeout

Are you a Principal Investigator (PI) or department representative moving or closing-out a laboratory on campus? 

I. Purpose

The purpose of these procedures is to provide guidance to Principal Investigators (PI) or department representatives for the safe and proper transfer and/or disposal of hazardous materials when vacating a laboratory.

II. Scope

These procedures apply when a PI is:

  1. Leaving the University and closing their laboratory.
  2. Retiring and closing their laboratory.
  3. Relocating their laboratory to a different location on campus.
  4. Leaving the University but transferring responsibility of their laboratory to another PI.

In all of these situations, the PI must follow the procedures outlined below to either arrange for the safe disposal of hazardous materials in their laboratory, or transfer responsibility for those materials to another investigator. When the PI is unable to perform these duties, it becomes the responsibility of the Department Chair to ensure that these procedures are followed.

III. Responsibilities

When vacating a laboratory, proper removal of all hazardous materials is the responsibility of the PI who is vacating the lab. The PI must ensure all hazardous materials are moved and transferred to the department’s stockroom or discarded as hazardous waste. If hazardous materials at closeout are deemed hazardous waste, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) must be notified prior to the cleanout. EHS is responsible for the collection and disposal of unwanted chemicals that have been deemed hazardous waste. Additionally, the PI is also responsible for cleaning all chemical, biological, and radioactive contamination prior to vacating the lab space. 

IV. Procedures

Unwanted hazardous materials may not be left in the laboratory, discarded in the regular trash, nor poured down the drain. Please use the following procedures:

  1. Contact EHS for guidance. Notification should be at least one month in advance; however, special circumstances can be accommodated. EHS will help perform a laboratory survey to identify tasks that must be completed before moving any hazardous materials or vacating the space.
  2. Ensure that all hazardous materials are properly labeled. This includes but is not limited to chemicals and hazardous waste. 
  3. Identify and isolate the chemicals that will be discarded or transferred to the department stockroom.
  4. For potentially explosive materials, contact EHS for guidelines on the proper handling these materials.
  • Follow the minimum safety procedures when moving chemical substances to other labs on campus:
    • Only University employees who have received all required personal protective equipment and training (including hazard communication, labeling and any specialized training based on the type of hazardous material being moved) may move hazardous materials from one lab to another. 
    • Wear personal protective equipment appropriate for the materials being handled (safety glasses or goggles, lab coat, gloves, closed-toed shoes).
    • Ensure containers are in good condition, properly labeled, without external surface contamination, and unlikely to leak during transport. Do not move unknown or leaking containers.
    • Separate chemicals into compatibility groups and provide separate, labeled boxes for each group. At a minimum, segregate by caustics, acids, flammables (including organic acids), toxics, oxidizers, and water reactives.
    • Use sturdy, partitioned boxes or pack chemical containers with adequate, compatible padding materials; to facilitate lifting, do not overload the box.
    • Use a sturdy cart to transport materials. Carts are available to borrow from your department’s stockroom, upon request.
  1. Confirm that a vacated lab is properly emptied of hazardous materials, by completing the Vacated Space Checklist (attached) available from the Department or on the EHS website under the ‘Forms’ tab. The Checklist must be signed by the respective department head and sent to EHS at least seven days before the lab is permanently vacated. Upon receipt, EHS will visit the lab and notify the Department Chair if anything further needs to be done.
  2. Ensure all empty glassware has been cleaned and rinsed at least three times prior to transfer to the stockroom or re-shelving.
  3. Deface, rinse and dispose of empty containers. 
  4. Remove all contaminated bench top covers/liners from work surfaces and place in appropriately identified bags as hazardous waste.
  5. Clean laboratory bench tops and fume hood surfaces with soapy water. 

V. Special Procedures

Radioactive Materials (RAM)

If the laboratory has used radioactive materials, the PI must notify the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) for assistance at x2401. The RSO will:

  1. Inspect the laboratory before allowing occupancy.
  2. Remove all RAM from the laboratory.
  3. Conduct a Radiation Decommission Survey on any surfaces and equipment within the laboratory (i.e. refrigerators, centrifuges, etc.).
  4. Remove all radiation stickers and notices.
  5. Post clearance notice.

 

Biohazardous Materials (BSL2)/ Medical waste

  1. Start by reviewing our SOP for BSL2 waste disposal.
  2. Place all used and/or potentially contaminated sharps (syringes, Pasteur pipettes, serological pipettes, razor blades, etc.) in an approved ‘sharps container.’ Notify your DSC for removal of the sharps container.
  3. Place all other unwanted solid biohazardous materials and wastes in autoclavable biohazard bags. Contact EHS with questions.
  4. Decontaminate all work surface area using freshly prepared 10% bleach solution, 70% alcohol, or commercially available disinfecting solution.
  5. Decontaminate all biological safety cabinets before vacating the lab. Wash surfaces with germicidal soap and rinse with deionized water. Do a final wipe of the surfaces with 70% alcohol. Do not use bleach on any stainless-steel surface.

Forms