Laboratory Closeout Procedures
Purpose
These procedures will assist personnel in safely removing all hazardous substances from a laboratory area and ensure that an area is free from hazardous contamination.
These guidelines apply to ALL laboratories, darkrooms, stockrooms, shops, research/teaching/maintenance facilities, and any other area where hazardous materials are used or stored.
As the Principal Investigator, it is the Supervisor / Faculty Member’s responsibility to ensure that all areas they supervise are properly decontaminated before the research staff vacates.
Biological and Pathological Materials
- Disinfect work surfaces that may be contaminated with biological agents.
- Autoclave and dispose of unwanted biological agents in appropriate containers.
- All sharps (needles, pipets, lancets, broken glass, etc.) must be placed in puncture proof containers for disposal.
- All waste must be clearly labeled and Laboratory Services (5433) must be contacted for removal.
- Refer to Sharps and Biological Waste Disposal Flow Chart (.pdf file).
Hazardous Materials and Chemicals
- All chemicals must be labeled and sealed.
- All waste must be clearly labeled and Laboratory Services (5433) must be contacted for removal.
- Wipe all surfaces and equipment with a warm solution of soap and water. This includes fume hoods, bench tops, refrigerators, sinks and floors.
Radioactive Materials and Radiation Generating Devices
- A wipe test must be done on all surfaces and equipment where radioactive materials have been used. Please submit this data to Laboratory Services.
- Radioactive waste (pdf file) must be properly packaged. Contact Laboratory Services to request disposal of Radioactive Materials (pdf file).
- Remove all “Radioactive” labeling and signs from equipment once it is decontaminated.
The lab will be certified as Declassified by Laboratory Services when :
- All Lab equipment has been decontaminated and surveyed,
- All Radioactive materials are removed and secured, and
- All survey results are accepted and approved by Laboratory Services.