Standard Operating Procedure for Laboratory Clean-outs

1
Standard Operating Procedure for Laboratory
Clean-outs

• www.safety.uwm.edu

2
Introduction

• Lab clean-outs are performed by Environmental
  Affairs when a professor or researcher leaves a
  laboratory.
• Clean-outs are dangerous and time consuming due
  to
• Unknown hazards
• Unfamiliar conditions
• Poor housekeeping
• Limited time constraints

3
Introduction

• The goal of a lab clean-out is to remove
  unwanted, old, and hazardous chemicals safely. In
  order to do this
• Give ample notice
• Environmental Affairs needs at least 2 weeks
  notice in order to prepare a clean-out plan and
  survey the lab.
• (Call x2883 or x4999, hazwaste_at_uwm.edu)
• Provide Environmental Affairs with an Inventory
  of the chemicals you want removed.
• The inventory must have the full chemical name,
  quantity, and container size. A spread sheet is
  available at http//www4.uwm.edu/usa/ep/training/
• Unknowns must be labeled.
• Environmental Affairs will not accept any
  chemicals that are not labeled.
• 4. PI or researcher must be available.
• Questions may arise during the pickup. The
  resident of the lab must be available to answer
  questions.

4
Priority Chemicals

• Some situations should not wait for a lab clean
  out to be addressed.
• Reacted chemicals
• Spilled chemicals
• Unknown or Mislabeled chemicals
• Gas Cylinders
• Radioactive material

5
During Lab Clean-Outs

• Space will be limited, so working conditions will
  not be ideal.
• Environmental Affairs may need access to internet
  connections in order to look up Material Safety
  Data Sheets

6
Completion of a Clean-out

• Duration of a lab clean-out is difficult to
  predict.
• Environmental Affairs will give constant up-dates
  to the lab resident as to the status of the
  clean-out.
• If delays occur, Environmental Affairs will take
  necessary steps to ensure the clean-out is
  completed with as little inconvenience as
  possible.

7
Redistribution of Chemicals

• Lab clean-outs are a rich source of chemicals for
  redistribution and reuse
• The redistribution list will be e-mailed to the
  Surplus Chemical Client List often.
• Chemicals are redistributed on a first come,
  first serve basis.

8
Redistribution of Chemicals

• Photo and art chemicals lists are available on
  our web site.
• The laboratory chemical list is an in-house list
  only.

9
Additional Information

• Any questions or concerns about lab clean-outs or
  the chemical redistribution list should be
  directed to Environmental Affairs at
• x2883 or x4999
• Hazwaste_at_uwm.edu
• Thank you