Hazardous Materials & Waste

Wastes containing nitric acid must be treated prior to placing them into the waste Satellite Accumulation Area (SAA). Neutralization through bench top treatment will prevent safety hazards in the laboratory caused by inadvertently mixing with incompatible materials. Neutralization must be performed through a “bench top treatment” procedure approved by the Berkeley Lab Waste Management Group. Learn more about bench top waste treatment requirements.

Bags of wipes/gloves in the hood areas and on counter tops have been observed with no identification written on them. There is no way for other workers to know if the contents are hazardous waste or non-hazardous trash. Improper mixing of wastes could occur. Follow these protocols for non-hazardous waste disposal.

Laboratory fume hoods are an important engineering control used to remove airborne contaminants from a worker’s breathing zone. Improper use or operation of a fume hood could result in exposure to hazardous chemicals, injuries, fires, and even explosions. Learn more about the requirements for the proper operation and maintenance of fume hoods.

Ensure that all sample containers are clearly identified for contents. Each sample container should at a minimum identify the chemical contents. Learn more about proper disposal of unwanted chemical samples.

Flammable or ignitable wastes may not be accumulated in plastic containers of any type other than a listed and approved flammable waste safety can. Approved, reusable safety cans are available from the Waste Management Group in 5-, 2.5-, and 1-gallon capacities by request. Learn more about flammable waste containers.

Gloves worn on the hand prevent injury from direct skin contact with hazardous materials. It is important that the proper type of glove is worn when handling hazardous chemicals. Failure to follow proper precautions when wearing chemical gloves can result in a serious injury due to exposure to a hazardous chemical. Learn more about wearing chemical gloves.

Lab coats are used to cover your regular clothes and minimize chemical contamination and splash hazards while working in the lab areas. They can also provide some temporary protection against fire depending on the type of material the lab coat is made of. Lab coats are not designed to be impermeable to chemicals, but they can provide additional safety since they can be quickly removed to isolate harmful exposures. Learn more about lab coat requirements and protocols.

Certain empty chemical containers that previously held hazardous materials are exempt from hazardous waste regulations and can be disposed of in the regular trash. Read about this exemption and when to empty chemical containers can be placed into the regular trash.

The following are some lessons learned that you should be aware of so that we don’t end up with so many old cylinders in the future. Read about how to return empty gas cylinders.