GENERAL
LABORATORY GUIDELINES
Lab Staff / Lab Instructor
Reference
7 September 2008 Version
UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN
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
2
1. Organisational Structure of Lab Administration
3
2. Duties and Responsibilities of lab officer and lab assistant
2.1 Lab Officer
Table: Duties and responsibilities of lab officer
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Responsibilities
Coordination
Supervision
Tasks
Coordinating in planning the time table of lab session.
Supervising lab assistants, students, and assisting lab
instructors during lab session.
Tidiness
Ensuring cleanliness and tidiness of the labs at all time.
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.
First Aid
Providing first aid treatment and making decisions on
emergency responses in the event of lab accident occurred.
Laboratory Facilities
Liaison with the Estate and Facilities Department on any
damages and faulty facilities in the labs.
Inventory Control and  Inventory stock keeping, checking and monitoring.
Purchasing
 Liaison with the department and suppliers to purchase
consumables and new equipment.
Installation
of
new  Inspecting and examining delivery items of new equipment
equipment
 Ensuring the attached accessories of the new equipment are
stored in proper places together with operating manuals,
safety handbooks and etc.
Equipment Maintenance
Simple maintenance and calibration record maintenance of
each lab equipment to ensure best working condition in
running experiment.
Receiving delivery orders Receiving delivery orders of lab consumables and equipment
and assigning designated places for storage.
Document Maintenance
Ensuring all documents of purchases and inventory items are
well recorded organized.
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.
1
Responsibilities
Maintenance
2
Assisting lab instructor
3
Preparation work
4
House keeping
5
Liaison with Lab Officer
Tasks
Examining all lab equipment to be in good condition to ensure
a smooth running of experiment during the lab session.
Assisting lab instructor on preparation work and ensuring
experiments are run smoothly and effectively.
Preparing the necessary amount of quantity of specimens to be
used in lab experiment.
Ensuring the condition of all work benches is clean and lab
equipment is returned back in order without missing any
items.
Reporting to lab officer on problems encountered during the
lab session.
4
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.
5
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.
6
(Appendix 1)
Request for Loan of Lab Key after Office-hour or Public Holiday
1) Applicant
Name
Student ID
2) Key Loan
Key ID Number
Name of Laboratory
Room No
Loan Period
Reason(s)
Date
From
to
3) Approval
Requested by
Agreed by
project supervisor
Approved by
Head of Department
(Name/Signature/Date)
(Name/Signature/Date)
(Name/Signature/Date)
Key returned by
Key received by
(Lab officer in-charge)
(Name/Signature/Date)
(Name/Signature/Date)
4) Key Return
Date of Return
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.
7
(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
Programme
Subject
Title of experiment
Date
Year/Semester
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:
8
Flow Chart of Emergency Response on Lab Incident/Accident
Incident
(Accident, near miss, dangerous occurrence,
occupational poisoning and occupational disease)
Reporting to:


Lab Officer
First Aider
 Safety and Health Officer / OSH Committee
Within 3 minutes from
the incident
No
Serious
Injury?
First Aid Treatment
(First Aider)
Yes
First Aid Treatment (First Aider)
Calling Ambulance to the Hospital
(Lab Officer/Faculty staff/DSA/DSS)
Incident
Report
(within 24
hours)
Within 8 minutes from
the incident
Informing:




Lab Instructor
Lecturer-in-charge of the lab
Head of Department
Dean/Director
Within 15 minutes
from the incident
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
Final Report From OSH Committee
with preventive/corrective actions and initiate
relevant claims (i.e. SOCSO, insurance)
9
Within 24 hours
from the incident
Within 48 hours
from the incident
Within 3 to 14 days
from the incident
End
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.
10
♦ 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
11
♦ 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
elemental metals
acids
acids
acids
acids
acids
acids
acids
amines
water or air
reactives
organic peroxides
phenol
sodium azide
&
&
&
&
&
&
&
&
&
&
flammables
hydrides
cyanides
sulfides
bases
flammables
chlorine compounds
alcohols
elemental metals
chlorine compounds
&
anything
&
&
&
anything
formaldehyde
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.
12
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.
13
(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.
14
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
Potassium metal
Divinyl acetylene
Sodium amide
Isopropyl ether
Vinylidene chloride
DANGEROUS: Discard after one year.
Peroxide formation hazard during storage and on concentration (i.e., distillation) of
compound.
Acetal
Dicyclopentadiene
Methyl cyclopentane
Acetaldehyde
Diethyl ether
Methyl isobutyl ketone
Cumene
1,4-Dioxane
Tetrahydrofuran
Cyclohexene
Ethylene glycol dimethyl ether
Tetrahydronaphthalene
Diacetylene
Methyl acetylene
Vinyl ethers
DANGEROUS: Discard after one year.
Peroxide formation causes initiation of hazardous polymerization.
Acrylic acid
Chloroprene
Tetrafluoroethylene
Acrylonitrile
Chlorotrifluoroethylene
1,3-Butadiene
Methyl methacrylate
Vinyl acetylene
2-Propanol
Vinyl chloride
Styrene
Vinyl pyridine
2-Butanol
15
Vinyl acetate
APPENDIX I
EXAMPLES OF INCOMPATIBLE CHEMICALS
From: "Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories," American Chemical Society
Chemical
Acetic Acid
Acetylene
Acetone
Alkali and alkaline earth metals
(such as powdered aluminum or
magnesium, calcium, lithium,
sodium, potassium)
Ammonia (anhydrous)
Ammonium nitrate
Aniline
Arsenical materials
Azides
Bromine
Calcium oxide
Carbon (activated)
Carbon tetrachloride
Chlorates
Chromic acid and chromium
Chlorine
Chlorine dioxide
Copper
Cumene hydroperoxide
Cyanides
Flammable liquids
Fluorine
Hydrocarbons (such as butane,
Is Incompatible With
Chromic acid, nitric acid, hydroxyl
compounds, ethylene glycol, perchloric acid,
peroxides, permanganates
Chlorine, bromine, copper, fluorine, silver,
mercury
Concentrated nitric and sulfuric acid mixtures
Water, carbon tetrachloride or other
chlorinated hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide,
halogens
Mercury (in manometers, for example),
chlorine, calcium hypochlorite, iodine,
bromine, hydrofluoric acid (anhydrous)
Acids, powdered metals, flammable liquids,
chlorates, nitries, sulfur, finely divided organic
combustible materials
Nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide
Any reducing agent
Acids
See chlorine
Water
Calcium hypochlorite, all oxidizing agents
Sodium
Ammonium salts, acids, powdered metals,
sulfur, finely divided organic or combustible
materials
Acetic acid, naphthalene, camphor, glycerol,
alcohol, flammable liquids in general
Ammonia, acetylene, butadiene, butane,
methane, propane (or other petroleum gases),
hydrogen, sodium carbide, benzene, finely
divided metals, turpentine
Ammonia, methane, phosphine, hydrogen
sulfide
Acetylene, hydrogen peroxide
Acids (organic or inorganic)
Acids
Ammonium nitrate, chromic acid, hydrogen
peroxide, nitric acid, sodium peroxide,
halogens
All other chemicals
Fluorine, chlorine, bromine, chromic acid,
16
propane, benzene)
Hydrocyanic acid
Hydrofluoric acid (anhydrous)
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen sulfide
Hypochlorites
Iodine
Mercury
Nitrates
Nitric acid (concentrated)
Nitrites
Nitroparaffins
Oxalic acid
Oxygen
Perchloric acid
Peroxides, organic
Phosphorus (white)
Potassium
Potassium chlorate
Potassium perchlorate (see also
chlorates)
Selenides
Silver
Sodium
Sodium nitrite
Sodium peroxide
Sulfides
Sulfuric acid
Tellurides
sodium peroxide
Nitric acid, alkali
Ammonia (aqueous or anhydrous)
Copper, chromium, iron, most metals or their
salts, alcohols, acetone, organic materials,
aniline, nitromethane, combustible materials
Fuming nitric acid, oxidizing gases
Acids, activated carbon
Acetylene, ammonia (aqueous or anhydrous),
hydrogen
Acetylene, fulminic acid, ammonia
Sulfuric acid
Acetic acid, aniline, chromic acid, hydrocyanic
acid, hydrogen sulfide, flammable liquids,
flammable gases, copper, brass, any heavy
metals
Acids
inorganic bases, amines
Silver, mercury
Oils, grease, hydrogen: flammable liquids,
solids or gases
Acetic anhydride, bismuth and its alloys,
alcohol, paper, wood, grease, oils
Acids (organic or mineral), avoid friction,
store cold
Air, oxygen, alkalies, reducing agents
Carbon tetrachloride, carbon dioxide, water
Sulfuric and other acids
Sulfuric and other acids
Reducing agents
Acetylene, oxalic acid, tartartic acid,
ammonium compounds, fulminic acid
Carbon tetrachloride, carbon dioxide, water
Ammonium nitrate and other ammonium salts
Ethyl or methyl alcohol, glacial acetic acid,
acetic anhydride, benzaldehyde, carbon
disulfide, glycerin, ethylene glycol, ethyl
acetate, methyl acetate, furfural
Acids
Potassium chlorate, potassium perchlorate,
potassium permanganate (similar compounds
of light metals, such as sodium, lithium)
Reducing agents
17
Flow Chart for Disposal Management
18
FLOW CHART FOR DISPOSAL OF LABORATORY CHEMICAL WASTES
Chemical
Wastes
Soli
d
Liqui
d
Toxic
Inorgani
c
Organic
Halogenate
d
Toxic
Non halogenated
Mixture
Acid/Bas
e
Collect
Collect
Collect
Collect
Neutralise &
Dilute (pH
7)
Sink or
Drain
Collect
Non Reactive
Others
Dilute (pH 7)
Collect
Sink or
Drain
Collec
t
Other
s
Non
Reactive
Acid/Base
Other
s
Neutralise &
Dilute (pH
7)
Dilute (pH 7)
Sink or
Drain
Sink or
Drain
Collect
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
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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Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
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.
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Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
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Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
FLOW CHART FOR DISPOSAL OF LABORATORY CHEMICAL WASTE
Chemical
Wastes
Solid
Liquid
Halogenated
Toxic
Collect
Collect
Toxic
Inorganic
Organic
Non - halogenated
Collect
Mixture
Acid/Base
Toxic
Non Reactive
Others
Collect
Neutralise &
Dilute (pH 7)
Collect
Dilute (pH 7)
Collect
Sink or Drain
Sink or Drain
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Collect
Others
Non Reactive
Acid/Base
Others
Neutralise &
Dilute (pH 7)
Dilute (pH 7)
Sink or Drain
Sink or Drain
Collect