Standard Operating Procedure for Laboratory Chemical Clean-outs

US&A (v. 12/2013) Introduction Chemical clean-outs are performed by Environmental Protection when a professor or researcher leaves a laboratory. Clean-outs are dangerous and time consuming due to: –Unknown hazards –Unfamiliar conditions –Poor housekeeping –Limited time constraints

US&A (v. 12/2013) Introduction The goal of a chemical clean-out is to remove unwanted, old, and hazardous chemicals safely. In order to do this: 1.Give ample notice -Environmental Protection needs at least 2 weeks notice in order to prepare a clean-out plan and survey the lab. -(Contact, 2.Provide Environmental Protection with an Inventory of the chemicals you want removed. -The inventory must have the full chemical name, quantity, and container size. A spread sheet is available at 3.Unknowns must be labeled. -Environmental Protection will not accept any chemicals that are not labeled. 4.PI or researcher must be available. -Questions may arise during the pickup. The resident of the lab must be available to answer questions.

US&A (v. 12/2013) Priority Chemicals Some situations should not wait for a chemical clean-out to be addressedSome situations should not wait for a chemical clean-out to be addressed. -Reacted chemicals -Spilled chemicals -Unknown or Mislabeled chemicals -Gas Cylinders -Radioactive material

US&A (v. 12/2013) During Lab Clean-Outs Space will be limited, so working conditions will not be ideal. Environmental Protection may need access to internet connections in order to look up Material Safety Data Sheets

US&A (v. 12/2013) Completion of a Clean-out Duration of a chemical clean-out is difficult to predict. Environmental Protection will give constant up-dates to the lab resident as to the status of the clean-out. If delays occur, Environmental Protection will take necessary steps to ensure the clean-out is completed with as little inconvenience as possible.

US&A (v. 12/2013) Redistribution of Chemicals Chemical clean-outs are a rich source of chemicals for redistribution and reuse for internal UWM departments only. Our redistribution list of current chemicals in stock can be ed to you upon request. Chemicals are redistributed on a first come, first serve basis.

US&A (v. 12/2013) Additional Information Any questions or concerns about chemical clean-outs or the chemical redistribution list should be directed to Environmental Protection at Thank you