POST IN YOUR LABORATORY

CHEMICAL/HAZARDOUS WASTE CHECKLIST
FOR COMPLIANCE

When things look messy, EPA considers this a "visual clue of possible non-compliance warranting further inquiry."

Look for an area in your laboratory or room that can be designated as your waste storage area.  (More than one designated area is allowed).  Signs with a list of some reminder procedures must be posted.  (Call the Environmental Health and Radiation Safety (EHRS) Department if you need a sign).

The Griffith Hall and McNeil Science and Technology Center Central Stockrooms have these pre-printed tags available.
Leave date field on tag blank until just before disposal. Also, hazardous waste must be labeled with the words "hazardous waste." Therefore, use the tags.
No abbreviations or formulas are allowed.
(i.e., unacceptable: waste HCL
              required:  hazardous waste - hydrochloric acid)

No open containers are allowed anywhere (i.e., laboratory, fume hood, storage area).  Do not store waste in open beakers or flasks.  Open funnels must be removed from the bottles unless actively pouring waste. However, the sealable funnels attached to bottles are acceptable, if closed.  Parafilm is also not allowed.  The EPA considers an open and improperly labeled waste container a serious violation.

This will allow you to keep the collection tube in place, even if the instrument is not running. Also, store this waste container in a tub. If there is not a small hole in the cap, make sure the tubing is removed and then the container sealed with the cap as soon as you are no longer adding waste to the container. (Special caps with holes are available in the Griffith Hall Central Stockroom.)

Use tubs that are available from the stockrooms to keep containers of incompatibles separated. Separate the containers, but remember to never place incompatible wastes into one container.

Store your waste containers in tubs. This is important to contain leaks or spills, to separate incompatible wastes, and especially when chemicals are stored near a drain or sink.

Never put corrosives in metal containers or ethers in clear bottles. Also, always try to store waste in plastic containers rather than glass, if compatible.

Never place these in the same container.
Volumes of hazardous waste will increase subjecting us to increased regulatory requirements and costs. To determine if the chemical is a regulated hazardous waste, contact the EHRS Department or consult EPA regulation 40 CFR 261. You may also visit the EHRS Department's web site for the EPA hazardous waste list by clicking on the link below.

See EPA's Hazardous Waste List.

 Examples of emergency procedures include spills or leaks, injuries or illnesses, fire and accidental chemical exposure.  (The EPA will conduct interviews with faculty, staff and students during their inspections of the University).

We have classroom training, safety discussion guides and our web-based laboratory safety training modules to meet these requirements.  Laboratory directors and supervisors must make sure that employees and student workers in their laboratories comply with these hazardous waste policies in their daily operations.

Examples of Questions that EPA Inspectors May Ask Personnel and Students.

What type of waste do you generate?  Simply name the chemicals or classes of wastes.  (i.e., hydrochloric acid or corrosives)

What are you doing with your hazardous waste? EPA is determining if you are handling and disposing of it properly.  (e.g., checking that you are not disposing of it down the drain;  making sure you are aware that the waste must be stored in compatible containers, separated from other incompatible wastes and that you are disposing of the waste through the EHRS Department).

Where are you storing your hazardous waste? Show your designated waste storage area(s).

How do you dispose of it?  Bring to the EHRS Department Stockrooms in a secondary container or on a cart. At a minimum, wear a lab coat, (coveralls for Facilities), gloves and safety glasses.

What do you do in an emergency? i.e., spill:

1)  contain it, so it does not go into a drain, etc.
2)  secure area, and prevent anyone from walking through or near it
3)  call supervisor, and
4)  call EHRS and/or Public Safety.

   (Be prepared, have spill control materials near your work area to suppress flammable vapors quickly or neutralize corrosives.)

Where are your SDS's (formerly called MSDS's)? Know the locations in your area. Also, a master set of all University SDS's is stored in the Griffith Hall Central Stockroom, room #B-10. Further, University of the Science's web-based SDS (MSDS) program and other SDS (MSDS) websites are available on the EHRS site (http://usp.edu/safety/msds.shtml).

If you have any questions regarding hazardous waste handling procedures or emergency procedures, please do not hesitate to call the EHRS Department. (X8925, X8843 or X3141)


University of the Sciences in Philadelphia • 600 South Forty-third Street • Philadelphia, PA 19104-4495 • phone: 215-596-8800 • email: safety@usip.edu