Hazardous Materials & Waste

Ensure you properly establish a Satellite Accumulation Area (SAA) for any hazardous wastes generated. Go to the following link to find out more: Establishing a SAA Safety Alert

Time Sensitive Chemicals (TSC) need to be periodically inspected or tested to ensure they are safe to use. The new Chemical Management System (CMS) now has a feature that allows users to enter inspection and test results. This allows for easier verification that TSC management requirements are being met. Click here to see the Safety Alert: Entering Time Sensitive Chemical Test Results Into CMS

Keep your hood sash closed when not in use. This will ensure safety of experiments set-up inside and significantly reduce energy. Go to this link to find out more: Keep Your Hood Sash Closed

Ensure all gas cylinders have a RFID tag associated with them. This Safety Alert describes two ways to maintain RFID tags for commonly used gas cylinders that are changed out frequently: Static RFID Tags for Commonly Used Gas Cylinders

Aqueous and corrosive hazardous wastes should be collected in a separate plastic or polyethylene container. Do not use the red flammable solvent waste collection cans (flam can) for collection of aqueous/corrosive wastes. For more details click here: Aqueous/Corrosive Hazardous Waste Collection

During quarterly Satellite Accumulation Area (SAA) inspections, we occasionally find multiple containers combined into a larger outer container (baggie) with a single hazardous waste label affixed. If you have multiple containers of the same waste stream, each of a 60 ml size or greater, they each must be packaged and labeled separately. Smaller containers of the same waste stream (<60 mL) can be grouped together in a larger outer container and labeled as a unit. 

Click here to open the Safety Alert:   Multiple Hazardous Waste Containers Safety Alert

Ensure your hazardous waste labels are properly identified. Avoid issues getting your waste containers picked up: Hazardous Waste Label Safety Alert

Properly dispose of unwanted batteries as Universal Waste. Here's a quick summary of how to use the green used battery cans located in each building: Used Battery Safety Alert

Research in our lab areas involves the use of various gas and water lines. It is important that these are clearly identified to ensure the correct gas is connected to the correct equipment. In addition, clear identification of both gas and water lines are crucial in the event that emergency responders such as the fire department need to enter a lab area. Learn more about how to identify gas lines. 

Hazardous chemicals must be properly segregated by hazard classification when handled and stored in order to prevent unwanted reactions. These reactions can result in the generation of toxic gases, fire, and even explosions. Read more about how to safely store acetic acid.