Lab Moves and Cleanouts

In the event that a laboratory moves to a new space, a researcher leaves the University or a laboratory or work area wishes to clear out chemicals, there are a number of steps that should be taken to ensure that chemicals are removed safely and promptly, to ensure the vacated space is safe to clean and reoccupy, and to minimize the cost to the lab and to the University.

For laboratory moves and cleanouts:

• EHS will bear the cost to dispose all chemical waste, provided it has been managed properly (labeled, contained, stable for shipping).
• If the amount of waste is small, it should be labeled and taken to the regular monthly waste pickup. There are no waste associated charges to the lab.
• For larger amounts of waste requiring direct cleanout from the lab, EHS will coordinate with our hazardous waste contractors to schedule a lab cleanout. EHS will continue to pay for disposal however will pay half of the labor charge involved. The remaining half is charged to the lab.
• The laboratory is responsible for costs associated with mismanaged chemicals and waste such as unknown chemical containers that require characterization and unstable compounds that need stabilization. Proper prior management of stock and waste chemicals will prevent these costs.
• Laboratory spaces that require specialized decontamination with have to be done so by our waste contractors. The labor costs are paid by the lab.
• EHS will assist researchers to select appropriate packaging and transportation for laboratory moves of chemicals.
• Small quantities of chemicals will be packed, paperwork completed and shipped by EHS. The shipping vendor's cost will be the responsibility of the lab.
• Large quantities of chemicals to be moved will be handled by contractors. The transportation cost will be paid by the lab, the labor cost will be shared equally between the lab and EHS.

For vacating a space:

• Ensure all chemicals are removed, including non-hazardous cleaning chemicals.
• Empty drawers and cabinets.
• If leaving behind materials for disposal as regular trash, try to confine the materials to one space.
• Clean all benchtops and work surfaces, including the work surface of fume hoods, biosafety cabinets and other ventilated devices. Ensure all surfaces are free from chemical residues.
• If individuals in the lab are not able to complete the cleaning, contact EHS to make arrangements for an environmental services contractor to do this work. The lab will be expected to pay half of the labor charges.

Before vacating, moving or cleaning out a laboratory or work area, contact James Boehlert at EHS at 258-7882. Jim will survey or discuss the project and give advice on how to proceed.

EHS advises department managers to withhold some funding until after the lab has been completely vacated and after EHS has inspected it and given clearance for cleaning and/or renovation. Even researchers with the best intentions sometimes leave the final cleanout to graduate student or others, and it is not uncommon to find that areas will require decontamination or find additional chemicals that need attention.

To minimize or eliminate disposal or labor charges, consider the following:

• Ensure that all chemicals are correctly identified and labeled. Unidentified chemicals require characterization by the contractor and the expense is the responsibility of the lab or work group.
  
• If possible, segregate waste chemicals into boxes or cabinets or areas of the lab. If there is too much material to move to the waste collection area on the day of the pickup, this will at least minimize the time that the contractor will need to be in the lab.
  
• Do not allow lab workers to vacate the lab unless and until he or she has accounted for all of his or her chemicals, has labeled them in such a way that everyone in the lab can identify them, and has either disposed of wastes or made arrangements through someone in the lab to dispose of wastes.

Contact James Boehlert at 258-7882 for more information.