Standard Operating Procedure for Laboratory Chemical Clean-outs

1. Standard Operating Procedure for Laboratory Chemical Clean-outs www.safety.uwm.edu

2. Introduction • Chemical 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 US&A (v. 09/2010)

3. Introduction The goal of a chemical 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@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. US&A (v. 09/2010)

4. Priority Chemicals • Some situations should not wait for a chemical clean-out to be addressed. • Reacted chemicals • Spilled chemicals • Unknown or Mislabeled chemicals • Gas Cylinders • Radioactive material US&A (v. 09/2010)

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 US&A (v. 09/2010)

6. Completion of a Clean-out • Duration of a chemical 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. US&A (v. 09/2010)

7. Redistribution of Chemicals • Chemical clean-outs are a rich source of chemicals for redistribution and reuse. • Our redistribution list of current chemicals in stock can be e-mailed to you upon request. • Chemicals are redistributed on a first come, first serve basis. US&A (v. 09/2010)

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. US&A (v. 09/2010)

9. Additional Information • Any questions or concerns about chemical clean-outs or the chemical redistribution list should be directed to Environmental Affairs at • x2883 or x4999 • Hazwaste@uwm.edu Thank you US&A (v. 09/2010)