Procedure for Vacating a Laboratory
The following actions should take place prior to the departure of a laboratory worker (faculty, staff, or student) from any chemical laboratory where that worker procured, developed, used, or stored chemicals:
- Review and update the chemical inventory.
- Identify and label unknown chemicals.
- Identify chemicals that are suspected to be, have become, or may become unstable because of age or container integrity.
- Coordinate with Environmental Health and Safety Offices (EHSO) for the disposal of chemicals that are declared unwanted or unstable.
A Chemical Safety Checklist can be filled out to assist with the review and inventory process. If any chemicals are found that need to be disposed of, fill out a Waste Pickup Request.
Responsibilities
- Department chairs or directors should institute this procedure as safety policy within the department and ensure that the objective is met prior to a laboratory worker leaving departmental service by securing a completed Chemical Safety Checklist.
- Faculty researchers or staff managers responsible for one or more laboratories shall inform a laboratory worker of this procedure and require a completed checklist be submitted at least 30 days prior to a laboratory worker’s departure. If the faculty researcher or staff manager is the laboratory worker leaving, the checklist shall be submitted to the chair or director.
- EHSO shall assist the department in the safe and proper removal of all chemicals offered for disposal. A Chemical Waste Pickup form can be filled out to request EHSO's services.