GENERAL

LABORATORY GUIDELINES

Lab Staff / Lab Instructor

Reference

7 September 2008 Version

UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN

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Table of Contents

1 Organisational Structure for Lab Administration, P3

2 Duties and Responsibilities

2.1 Lab Officer, P4

2.2 Lab Assistance, P4

3 Lab Session Best Practice and Procedure, P5-6

4 Request for Loan of Lab Key after Office-hour or Public

Holiday (Appendix 1), P7

5 ERS (Experiment Result Sheet), P8

6 Flow Chart of Emergency Response on Lab Accident, P9

7 General Procedures for Handling, Storage and Disposal of

Chemical Wastes, P10-P26

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1. Organisational Structure of Lab Administration

4

2. Duties and Responsibilities of lab officer and lab assistant 2.1 Lab Officer

Table: Duties and responsibilities of lab officer

No. Responsibilities Tasks

1 Coordination Coordinating in planning the time table of lab session.

2 Supervision Supervising lab assistants, students, and assisting lab

instructors during lab session.

3 Tidiness Ensuring cleanliness and tidiness of the labs at all time.

4 Safety Ensuring lab rules and regulations are in order and followed

by all lab users.

Liaison with the Division of Safety and Security on OSHA

matters.

5 First Aid Providing first aid treatment and making decisions on

emergency responses in the event of lab accident occurred.

6 Laboratory Facilities Liaison with the Estate and Facilities Department on any

damages and faulty facilities in the labs.

7 Inventory Control and

Purchasing Inventory stock keeping, checking and monitoring.

Liaison with the department and suppliers to purchase

consumables and new equipment.

8 Installation of new

equipment Inspecting and examining delivery items of new equipment

Ensuring the attached accessories of the new equipment are

stored in proper places together with operating manuals,

safety handbooks and etc.

9 Equipment Maintenance Simple maintenance and calibration record maintenance of

each lab equipment to ensure best working condition in

running experiment.

10 Receiving delivery orders Receiving delivery orders of lab consumables and equipment

and assigning designated places for storage.

11 Document Maintenance Ensuring all documents of purchases and inventory items are

well recorded organized.

12 Waste Disposal Ensuring hazardous chemical and solid wastes are disposed

properly in accordance to specific safety guidelines.

2.2 Lab Assistant/Technician

Table: Duties and responsibilities of lab assistant and technician

No. Responsibilities Tasks

1 Maintenance Examining all lab equipment to be in good condition to ensure

a smooth running of experiment during the lab session.

2 Assisting lab instructor Assisting lab instructor on preparation work and ensuring

experiments are run smoothly and effectively.

3 Preparation work Preparing the necessary amount of quantity of specimens to be

used in lab experiment.

4 House keeping Ensuring the condition of all work benches is clean and lab

equipment is returned back in order without missing any

items.

5 Liaison with Lab Officer Reporting to lab officer on problems encountered during the

lab session.

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3. Guidelines for Lab Session Best Practice and Procedure

3.1 Objectives

The following guidelines serve as a reference of best practice and procedure for;

Lab staff to conduct preparation works before the lab session start.

Lab staff on how to perform good duty during the lab session.

Lab instructor on how to supervise students during the lab session.

3.2 Preparation works for the Beginning of Lab Session in Every Semester

Lab staff must ensure lab sheets are ready to be given out to the students.

Lab staff must ensure all the relevant operating manuals are available for the

experiment.

Lab staff must ensure proper setup of experiment and specimens are ready as per

lab sheet instructions.

Lab staff shall conduct periodical test running of experiment if requested by lab

instructor and inform lab instructor whether the equipment is in proper order. Lab

instructor should help to demonstrate proper setup of lab equipment and explain

how to verify the experimental results.

Lab instructor must prepare the ERS (Experiment Result Sheet, appendix 2) and

provide to lab staff. The ERS shall include instructions on how to setup and the

expected experimental results.

Lab staff shall refer to the ERS to test running the experiment before the start of

lab session to ensure the equipment is functioning properly.

Lab staff shall prepare inventory checklists of each experiment for the use of daily

checking to ensure no missing items.

3.3 Before the Lab Session Start

Ensuring proper setup of equipment by referring to the given ERS of each

experiment.

Ensuring all labs are in good condition of clean and tidy.

If the lab instructor is not available to come for the lab session, a substitute lab

instructor must be arranged to take over the supervision.

Lab instructor shall brief on the experimental objectives, instructions and

precautions given in the lab sheet.

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3.4 During Lab Session

Students are allowed to enter labs 15 minutes before the lab session.

Lab staff must ensure all students follow the rules and regulation in the lab.

Students who come in late with more than 30 minutes will be subjected to the

decision of lab instructor on whether to be barred from attending the lab session,

and receive a warning in record.

Attendance of students must be taken.

The movement of students in the lab shall be confined to minimum.

Lab safety aspects, precaution matters, experimental procedures, lab report

writing, consequences on plagiarism, report submission deadline and venue

shall be included in the briefing by lab instructor.

It is required for lab staff petrol to every workbench to assist students who are

having problem in doing their experiments and also to ensure proper usage of lab

equipment and safety procedures followed by students.

If any equipment damages found due to negligence, the lab staff in-charge shall

prepare an incident report within 24 hours and it has to be verified by the lab

instructor.

Lab instructor can always refer to the ERS to examine whether students have no

problem in getting expected experimental results at the end.

Ensuring the experimental result has been shown to the lab instructor, and also no

missing items and damage of equipment before allowing students to leave the lab.

3.5 After Lab Session Has Been Completed

Ensuring the after use of lab condition is clean and tidy.

Arranging equipment back to initial condition so that the experiment can be ready

at any time for next lab session.

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(Appendix 1)

Request for Loan of Lab Key after Office-hour or Public Holiday

1) Applicant

Name

Student ID Date

2) Key Loan

Key ID Number

Name of Laboratory

Room No

Loan Period From to

Reason(s)

3) Approval

Requested by Agreed by

project supervisor

Approved by

Head of Department

(Name/Signature/Date)

(Name/Signature/Date)

(Name/Signature/Date)

4) Key Return

Date of Return Key returned by Key received by

(Lab officer in-charge)

(Name/Signature/Date)

(Name/Signature/Date)

For security reason, the applicant is advice to keep a copy of this form upon approval

and present to the authority (Officer in-charge or security) if requested in the above

mentioned period.

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(Appendix 2)

ERS (Experiment Result Sheet)

Objectives

This is to serve as a record reference of expected experimental result and procedure

for the lab instructor/lab staff to use in setting up experiment before lab session

start, equipment calibration, verifying experiment data collected by students,

and grading lab report.

Prepared by

Name Date

Programme Year/Semester

Subject

Title of experiment

For Lab Staff

Equipment Setup Verification Procedure

No. Verification Procedure Equipment Tested Expected Result

For Lab Instructor

Based on the instructions described in lab sheet, the experimental result is expected as

below:

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Flow Chart of Emergency Response on Lab Incident/Accident

Incident (Accident, near miss, dangerous occurrence,

occupational poisoning and occupational disease)

Within 3 minutes from

the incident

Serious

Injury? First Aid Treatment

(First Aider)

No

First Aid Treatment (First Aider)

Calling Ambulance to the Hospital

(Lab Officer/Faculty staff/DSA/DSS)

Informing: Lab Instructor

Lecturer-in-charge of the lab

Head of Department

Dean/Director

Initiate Incident Report & Investigation By Lab Officer using Incident Report Form

Submit Incident Report Form to

OSH Committee Further joint investigation if necessary by the

Committee and Faculty/Centre

Incident

Report

(within 24

hours)

Within 8 minutes from

the incident

Within 15 minutes

from the incident

Yes

Within 24 hours

from the incident

Within 48 hours

from the incident

Final Report From OSH Committee with preventive/corrective actions and initiate

relevant claims (i.e. SOCSO, insurance)

Within 3 to 14 days

from the incident

End

Reporting to: Lab Officer

First Aider

Safety and Health Officer / OSH Committee

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General Procedures for

Handling, Storage and Disposal of Chemical Wastes

The following procedures apply to liquid and solid wastes generated from teaching and

research laboratories in Department of Bioscience and Chemistry, that are classified as

hazardous based on the criteria described below.

In order to responsibly manage chemical waste each user must be familiar with the

following:

1. Hazardous Waste Characteristics

2. Proper Handling of Chemical Wastes

3. Effective Labeling of Waste Containers

4. Proper Storage of Chemical Wastes

5. Waste Collection

1. Hazardous Waste Characteristics

Waste is considered hazardous if it exhibits any of the following characteristics:

♦ Halogenated/ non halogenated wastes

• Halogenated wastes are those containing halogen compounds such as chlorine,

bromine, iodine, or fluorine. The following are examples of halogenated wastes:

chloroform, dichloromethane, carbon tetrachloride, and iodomethane.

• The halogenated wastes are generally more toxic than non-halogenated waste

materials.

♦ Ignitable Waste

• a liquid with a flash point less than 60 degrees Centigrade. The following are

examples of ignitable wastes: ethyl ether, methanol, ethanol, acetone, toluene,

benzene, pentane, hexane, and xylene.

• not a liquid and capable under normal conditions of causing fire through friction,

absorption of moisture or spontaneous chemical changes.

• an ignitable compressed gas.

• an oxidizer.

♦ Corrosive Waste

• it is aqueous and has a pH less than or equal to 2 or greater than or equal to 12.5.

• It is a liquid and corrodes steel at a rate greater than 0.250 inches (6 mm) per year

at 55 degrees Centigrade.

• Wastes in this category include many acids and bases. The following are

examples of corrosive wastes: sulfuric acid, ammonium hydroxide, nitric acid,

sodium hydroxide, and hydrofluoric acid.

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♦ Reactive Waste

• it is normally unstable.

• it reacts violently with water.

• it forms potentially explosive mixtures with water.

• it generates toxic gases, vapors or fumes when mixed with water, cyanide or

sulfide wastes that generate toxic gases, vapors or fumes at pH conditions

between 2 and 12.5.

• it is capable of detonation or explosive decomposition if subjected to strong

initiation or under standard temperature and pressure.

• Some common chemicals which are classified reactive are: picric acid and other

polynitroaromatics, old ethers and other peroxide forming organics, organic

peroxides, ammonium perchlorate and metal perchlorates, and metal amides and

azides.

♦ Toxicity Characteristic

• Any waste which equals or exceeds a designated concentration of certain toxic

compounds is regulated as a characteristically toxic hazardous waste. The test to

determine these concentrations is known as the TCLP (Toxicity Characteristic

Leaching Procedure). It determines the amount of the toxic compound that

leaches from the waste, simulating what could leach into the environment from an

improperly disposed waste. The extraction procedure is a standardized laboratory

test that requires specialized equipment. Therefore wastes with any of the TCLP

compounds are assumed to be toxic. These compounds include the heavy metals

such as lead, chromium, and barium as well as many organic materials and a

group of pesticides. Some commercial products may exhibit the characteristic of

toxicity through the TCLP testing procedure.

2. Proper Handling of Chemical Wastes

♦ Place hazardous waste in sealable containers. The container holding the hazardous

waste must be in good condition. This means no cracks, no rust, and no leaks.

Often the original container is perfectly acceptable.

♦ All containers must be thoroughly washed and allowed to dry before being used

for waste storage.

♦ The container should not react with the waste being stored (e.g. no hydrofluoric

acid in glass). The following table shows general chemical categories and

compatible container types.

Chemical Category Container Type

Mineral Acids Plastic

Bases Plastic

Oxidizers Glass

Organics, including acetic acid Glass

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♦ Similar wastes may be mixed if they are compatible (e.g. non-halogenated

solvents).

♦ Whenever possible, wastes from incompatible hazard classes should not be

mixed (e.g. organic solvents with oxidizers). Incompatible materials when mixed

together may cause explosions, fires or may generate flammable or toxic gases

resulting in serious health hazards. If in doubt do not mix!

♦ The pairs below are examples of incompatible materials:

oxidizers & flammables

elemental metals & hydrides

acids & cyanides

acids & sulfides

acids & bases

acids & flammables

acids & chlorine compounds

acids & alcohols

acids & elemental metals

amines & chlorine compounds

water or air

reactives & anything

organic peroxides & anything

phenol & formaldehyde

sodium azide & aqueous lead

♦ This list is not exhaustive. For a more detailed list, see "Incompatible Chemicals"

in Appendix I. You should always consult a Material Safety Data Sheet

(MSDS) for compatibility information. ♦ Containers must be kept closed except during actual transfers. Do not leave a

hazardous waste container with a funnel in it.

♦ If a container holding hazardous waste is not in good condition, or if it begins to

leak, the material must be transferred to a new container or placed inside a larger

container that meets all the necessary criteria.

♦ Safety precaution:

• Always wear splash proof goggles, gloves and a laboratory coat when

handling chemical waste.

• For waste that evolves fumes and vapor, the transferring of waste should be

done inside a fume cupboard.

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3. Effective Labeling of Waste Containers ♦ All hazardous waste must be labeled with a "Hazardous Waste" label when the

container begins being filled. When completing a hazardous waste label, all of

the fields must be completed.

♦ Waste container labels (see below) can be obtained from lab officer.

♦ Details in the label:

(i) Department- Spell out the Department name (i.e., Department of Bioscience and

Chemistry)

(ii) Phone- Include the phone numbers of the individual(s) generating waste and

having knowledge of contents of the hazardous waste.

(iii) Building- Name of the building that the waste is in - i.e., SD block, FES.

(iv) Room- Room that the waste is in – i.e., SD121

(v) Contact Person(s)- Name of person(s) generating waste and having knowledge of

contents of the hazardous waste.

(vi) Waste Accumulation Start Date- Indicate the date the waste was first placed in

the container, or for a discarded chemical, the date the hazardous waste label was

applied.

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(vii) Chemical Waste Composition- Legibly spell out all chemical names. Do not

abbreviate or draw chemical structures.

(viii) Percent by Volume- staff use this information for processing the waste as

safely/inexpensively as possible. Percentages must add up to 100%.

Example:

Chemical Waste Composition Percent (by volume)

Nitric Acid 73%

Water 27%

(ix) Physical State-You must indicate at least one physical state for your waste.

(x) Hazardous Properties- You must indicate the hazardous properties of your waste

by checking the appropriate box(s). All liquid waste should be pH checked prior

to disposal.

4. Proper Storage of Chemical Wastes

♦ All the chemical wastes must be stored in a proper chemical waste store.

♦ Typical storage considerations may include temperature, ignition control,

ventilation, segregation and identification. Proper segregation is necessary to

prevent incompatible materials from inadvertently coming into contact.

♦ Items likely to be stored for more than 3 months should be inspected (generally

monthly) for: (i) Leakage (ii) Gas pressure build-up within the container

(iii) Unusual changes in material, substance, or condition.

♦ Avoid storing chemical waste on the floor (even temporarily). Adequate shelves,

storage bins/containment trays should be provided.

♦ Do not store the incompatible wastes next to each others.

♦ Keep all stored chemical wastes away from heat and direct sunlight.

♦ Waste must never be stored for longer than one year.

♦ Details are as given in Table 1.

5. Waste Collection

♦ Chemical wastes collection is carried out once a year or earlier as when needed.

The company that provides the service of waste collection is Kualiti Alam Sdn.

Bhd.

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Table 1. Suggested Storage Time Limits for Common Peroxidizable Compounds

Under proper conditions, these chemicals will form explosive peroxides which can be

detonated by shock or heat.

MOST DANGEROUS: Discard after 3 months.

Peroxide formation hazard during storage.

Diisopropyl ether

Divinyl acetylene

Isopropyl ether

Potassium metal

Sodium amide

Vinylidene chloride

DANGEROUS: Discard after one year.

Peroxide formation hazard during storage and on concentration (i.e., distillation) of

compound.

Acetal

Acetaldehyde

Cumene

Cyclohexene

Diacetylene

Dicyclopentadiene

Diethyl ether

1,4-Dioxane

Ethylene glycol dimethyl ether

Methyl acetylene

Methyl cyclopentane

Methyl isobutyl ketone

Tetrahydrofuran

Tetrahydronaphthalene

Vinyl ethers

DANGEROUS: Discard after one year.

Peroxide formation causes initiation of hazardous polymerization.

Acrylic acid

Acrylonitrile

1,3-Butadiene

2-Butanol

Chloroprene

Chlorotrifluoroethylene

Methyl methacrylate

2-Propanol

Styrene

Tetrafluoroethylene

Vinyl acetate

Vinyl acetylene

Vinyl chloride

Vinyl pyridine

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APPENDIX I

EXAMPLES OF INCOMPATIBLE CHEMICALS

From: "Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories," American Chemical Society

Chemical Is Incompatible With

Acetic Acid

Chromic acid, nitric acid, hydroxyl

compounds, ethylene glycol, perchloric acid,

peroxides, permanganates

Acetylene Chlorine, bromine, copper, fluorine, silver,

mercury

Acetone Concentrated nitric and sulfuric acid mixtures

Alkali and alkaline earth metals

(such as powdered aluminum or

magnesium, calcium, lithium,

sodium, potassium)

Water, carbon tetrachloride or other

chlorinated hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide,

halogens

Ammonia (anhydrous)

Mercury (in manometers, for example),

chlorine, calcium hypochlorite, iodine,

bromine, hydrofluoric acid (anhydrous)

Ammonium nitrate

Acids, powdered metals, flammable liquids,

chlorates, nitries, sulfur, finely divided organic

combustible materials

Aniline Nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide

Arsenical materials Any reducing agent

Azides Acids

Bromine See chlorine

Calcium oxide Water

Carbon (activated) Calcium hypochlorite, all oxidizing agents

Carbon tetrachloride Sodium

Chlorates

Ammonium salts, acids, powdered metals,

sulfur, finely divided organic or combustible

materials

Chromic acid and chromium Acetic acid, naphthalene, camphor, glycerol,

alcohol, flammable liquids in general

Chlorine

Ammonia, acetylene, butadiene, butane,

methane, propane (or other petroleum gases),

hydrogen, sodium carbide, benzene, finely

divided metals, turpentine

Chlorine dioxide Ammonia, methane, phosphine, hydrogen

sulfide

Copper Acetylene, hydrogen peroxide

Cumene hydroperoxide Acids (organic or inorganic)

Cyanides Acids

Flammable liquids

Ammonium nitrate, chromic acid, hydrogen

peroxide, nitric acid, sodium peroxide,

halogens

Fluorine All other chemicals

Hydrocarbons (such as butane, Fluorine, chlorine, bromine, chromic acid,

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propane, benzene) sodium peroxide

Hydrocyanic acid Nitric acid, alkali

Hydrofluoric acid (anhydrous) Ammonia (aqueous or anhydrous)

Hydrogen peroxide

Copper, chromium, iron, most metals or their

salts, alcohols, acetone, organic materials,

aniline, nitromethane, combustible materials

Hydrogen sulfide Fuming nitric acid, oxidizing gases

Hypochlorites Acids, activated carbon

Iodine Acetylene, ammonia (aqueous or anhydrous),

hydrogen

Mercury Acetylene, fulminic acid, ammonia

Nitrates Sulfuric acid

Nitric acid (concentrated)

Acetic acid, aniline, chromic acid, hydrocyanic

acid, hydrogen sulfide, flammable liquids,

flammable gases, copper, brass, any heavy

metals

Nitrites Acids

Nitroparaffins inorganic bases, amines

Oxalic acid Silver, mercury

Oxygen Oils, grease, hydrogen: flammable liquids,

solids or gases

Perchloric acid Acetic anhydride, bismuth and its alloys,

alcohol, paper, wood, grease, oils

Peroxides, organic Acids (organic or mineral), avoid friction,

store cold

Phosphorus (white) Air, oxygen, alkalies, reducing agents

Potassium Carbon tetrachloride, carbon dioxide, water

Potassium chlorate Sulfuric and other acids

Potassium perchlorate (see also

chlorates) Sulfuric and other acids

Selenides Reducing agents

Silver Acetylene, oxalic acid, tartartic acid,

ammonium compounds, fulminic acid

Sodium Carbon tetrachloride, carbon dioxide, water

Sodium nitrite Ammonium nitrate and other ammonium salts

Sodium peroxide

Ethyl or methyl alcohol, glacial acetic acid,

acetic anhydride, benzaldehyde, carbon

disulfide, glycerin, ethylene glycol, ethyl

acetate, methyl acetate, furfural

Sulfides Acids

Sulfuric acid

Potassium chlorate, potassium perchlorate,

potassium permanganate (similar compounds

of light metals, such as sodium, lithium)

Tellurides Reducing agents

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Flow Chart for Disposal Management

FLOW CHART FOR DISPOSAL OF LABORATORY CHEMICAL WASTES

Chemical

Wastes

Liqui

d

Soli

d

Toxic Non

Reactive

Other

s Organic Inorgani

c

Halogenate

d

Toxic Non -

halogenated

Mixture Acid/Bas

e

Non Reactive Others

Collect Collect Collect Collect Neutralise &

Dilute (pH

7)

Collect Dilute (pH 7) Collect

Collec

t Acid/Base Other

s Collect

Neutralise &

Dilute (pH

7)

Sink or

Drain

Dilute (pH 7)

Sink or

Drain

Sink or

Drain

Sink or

Drain

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Q & A

How do I dispose of broken glassware?

Broken laboratory glassware that is not contaminated with hazardous materials should be placed in a sealed cardboard box for

disposal. If necessary, you can order the large cardboard containers for broken glass from a vendor such as VWR. When the box is

full, close all sides and tape the lid securely closed with wide clear or duct tape (NOT ‘Scotch’-type tape from a desk dispenser), then

label the box as Trash. Custodians will dispose of the boxes as trash if they are adequately closed and labeled.

If broken glassware is contaminated with an acutely hazardous material (see the Laboratory Chemical Inventory form for

identification of these materials), or grossly contaminated with any hazardous material, it should be placed in a sealed and leak proof

container that will not be punctured or torn by the glass, labeled with the appropriate hazard warning(s) and a laboratory waste tag.

Notify Environmental Safety (ES) for pick-up.

For example, you could use a cardboard box within a tightly sealed plastic bag with the label, phenol contaminated debris/broken

glass on the multi-part white Laboratory Waste tag. If the broken glassware is contaminated with biologically hazardous material, you

could place the sealed cardboard box in a red bio-waste bag and call for pick up by ES staff.

How do I dispose of empty chemical containers?

-Containers that held air or water reactives, stench, or highly hazardous materials, such as carcinogens, teratogens, mutagens, acutely

hazardous (toxic) materials must remain closed and be tagged for pickup through the hazardous waste disposal system.

- Empty containers that held other chemicals such as corrosives, flammables or other toxics not referenced above MUST be

thoroughly rinsed with water and the label MUST be defaced. The rinse liquid can go down the drain. Please do not place empty

containers in the fume hood to evaporate.

-Empty glass containers that held chemicals are not recyclable and can be reused as laboratory waste containers or go in the trash.

Make sure they are thoroughly rinsed, labels defaced, and clearly labeled as ‘Trash’. Custodians will dispose of them for you.

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-Metal cans should be placed in recycling bins. Make sure they are thoroughly rinsed, labels defaced, and if clearly labeled ‘For

Recycling’ custodians will manage them for you.

-You MUST deface the labels of all empty containers for either trash or recycling or to save them in your lab for future use. If the

labels are not defaced then storage rules apply according to the label information. Use a thick black marker to cover the chemical

name and all hazard information.

Where should I store chemical waste?

Chemical waste is best stored with compatible stock chemicals: Flammables in the Flammables cabinet, Corrosives in the Corrosives

cabinet with like corrosives, Reactives with reactives, etc.

Chemical waste must be labeled with the yellow Laboratory Waste Accumulation sticker while the container is being filled. Once full,

fill-out a multi-part white Laboratory Waste tag and attach it to the container. For liquid waste, the container must be placed in

secondary containment.

Do not store waste on the floor, except for 5 gallon containers of solid or liquid toxics. These 5 gallon containers must be in secondary

containment. Do not place the 5 gallon containers in aisle spaces. Make sure they are labeled fully and clearly with the yellow

Laboratory Waste Accumulation sticker to assist Environmental Safety Technicians during pick up and to protect custodians during

trash removal.

If you have a designated "Chemical Waste Storage" cabinet, be sure to separate your chemicals accordingly. All liquid wastes must

have seconday containment in case of leaks or spillage.

Can I store my chemical waste in the fume hood?

No. Please store chemical waste with compatible stock chemicals and keep your hood space available for work. Every additional item

in your fume hood has a negative effect on the hood’s ability to effectively capture and exhaust chemical fumes.

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Is it okay to use a ‘Ziploc’ plastic bag for storage of chemically contaminated items?

Dry chemically contaminated debris can be collected in a closed container such as a closed zip-loc bag, if the bag is not degraded by

the chemical over time. It must be labeled with the UVM yellow Laboratory Waste Accumulation sticker if you are accumulating the

material over time. Ultimately, it must be tagged with our multi-part white Laboratory Waste tag for pick-up and disposal by

Environmental Safety staff. If it contains no free liquid, spill clean up material may also be placed in a closed ziploc bag and tagged

with the white multi-part Laboratory Waste tag.

Never use a biohazard bag to store chemical debris.

What do I do when I break a piece of mercury containing equipment?

Mercury is very difficult to clean up completely and can release vapors that can create toxic levels at room temperature. A surprisingly

small amount of mercury can create a significant concentration of mercury in the room air. Therefore, do not try to clean it up

yourself.

First, turn off the equipment to prevent further release of mercury vapors and have all personnel leave the room. Close the door, place

a sign to avoid re-entry, and call the ESF at 656-5400. We will respond as soon as possible to complete the clean up and monitor the

room air for mercury vapors.

How can I make sure my chemical waste doesn’t get picked up mistakenly as trash?

The chemical wastes most likely to be confused with trash are the 5 gallon buckets of solid, toxic waste that are allowed to be stored

on the floor. Make sure these buckets are clearly labeled with the yellow Laboratory Waste Accumulation stickers and these stickers

are visible at all times. Use clear bags as a liner inside this clearly labeled bucket. Don’t remove the bag and set it aside, unlabeled, for

any reason and never put the lid underneath the bucket.

Can I use the Environmental Safety (ES) supplied Chemical Spill Kit on all chemical spills?

There are 2 styles of spill kits that have been supplied by the ES:

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1) The older version consists of an absorbent powder, a brush for sweeping it effectively over the spilled chemical, nitrile gloves,

instructions and multi-part laboratory waste tags. The spill kit is specifically designed for use by lab personnel in cleaning up small

spills (1 liter or less); the absorbent powder is compatible with most chemicals, with the exceptions of hydrofluoric acid and metallic

mercury.

2) After March, 2007, we were not able to obtain additional absorbent powder and so have substituted gray absorbent pads (this also

eliminates the need for the brush in the kit). The pads are compatible with all chemicals including hydrofluoric acid, but do not work

with metallic mercury spills. They still have a maximum capacity of about 1 liter.

Note that neither absorbent removes any hazards associated with the spilled chemicals and that the clean up materials must be

treated as chemical waste.

Can I mix my acids with some alkaline liquids to neutralize them and pour them down the drain?

Please do not treat any of your hazardous chemicals in order to dispose of them down the drain or in the trash. There are regulatory

implications to any drain disposal of hazardous materials..

Are there any chemicals that I should not mix together for disposal?

Yes. Do not mix any chemicals for disposal without checking with Environmental Safety staff first. In many cases, mixing chemicals

together results in a much higher disposal cost and sometimes makes it impossible to dispose of a material. Acutely hazardous

chemicals and mercury should never be mixed with other chemicals.

Can I dispose of any chemicals or buffers down the sink?

At UVM, sink disposal of hazardous laboratory chemicals is forbidden. According to the Burlington Sewer Use Ordinance, solutions

with a pH equal to or less than 5.0 or greater than or equal to 10.5 should not be discharged into the sewer system. In addition any

laboratory chemical that exhibits an ignitable, toxic or reactive characteristic, is a dye, has a strong odor, or has a high viscosity is

prohibited from drain disposal.

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In addition, biologically benign solutions such as those containing sugars and salts and no other hazardous material may be disposed

of down the sink drain.

What do I do with an unknown chemical?

Use the multi-part white “Laboratory Waste” tag and label it as “unknown”. If you suspect it is a particular chemical you may give

this information but the primary label remains “unknown”. Environmental Safety technicians will test these a few times per year for

proper disposal.

I’m trying to decide which chemicals I should cull from my stocks. How do I decide when a chemical is old?

You should sort through them and dispose of the ones you haven’t used in about a year and those that are beyond their expiration date.

Chemicals which do not flow freely are not likely used in the future and are best disposed of.

How do I dispose of dry waste debris?

Dry waste debris may be collected in a ziploc bag or another type of closed container and then tagged with the multi-part white

“Laboratory Waste” tag for disposal.

It has taken me more than a year to fill my 5 gallon container with liquid waste. Is this appropriate?

No. According to government regulations, chemical wastes should be removed at least once a year. Your container size is too big if it

takes you a year to fill.

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman

25

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman

26

FLOW CHART FOR DISPOSAL OF LABORATORY CHEMICAL WASTE

Chemical

Wastes

Liquid Solid

Toxic Non Reactive Others Organic Inorganic

Halogenated Toxic Non - halogenated Mixture Acid/Base Toxic Non Reactive Others

Collect Collect Collect Collect Neutralise &

Dilute (pH 7) Collect Dilute (pH 7) Collect

Collect Acid/Base Others Collect

Neutralise &

Dilute (pH 7)

Sink or Drain

Dilute (pH 7)

Sink or Drain Sink or Drain Sink or Drain