Claremont McKenna College
OP-21: Hazardous Waste Management

CMC has a Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) is to establish a written program that provides for and supports the procedures, equipment, personal protective equipment, and work practices for protecting laboratory personnel from potential health hazards of using hazardous chemicals in the laboratory, mainly in W. M. Keck Science Department. The Chemical Hygiene Plan is also designed to comply with the regulations of California’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories, Title 8-California Code of Regulations, Section 5191.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Laboratory-Specific SOPs The Faculty/Laboratory Supervisor is responsible for providing written SOPs for specific laboratory practices involving hazardous chemicals (See Appendix A: Standard Operating Procedures Template). As needed, the Chemical Hygiene Officer will review these SOPs. The Faculty/Laboratory Supervisor must ensure that laboratory personnel are trained on the use of SOPs applicable to their activities. General Health and Safety Procedures The Faculty/Laboratory Supervisor is responsible to ensure that all employees are trained in the use of these procedures. Do not work alone without prior approval. Develop safe work practices and avoid careless actions or horseplay. Be alert to unsafe conditions and immediately notify the Faculty/Laboratory Supervisor or Chemical Hygiene Officer of unsafe conditions. Become familiar with the laboratory’s emergency equipment (e.g., eyewash/shower station, and fire extinguisher). Adhere to the intent and procedures of the Chemical Hygiene Plan. Chemical Handling General: Before handling chemicals, become familiar with hazards, signs and symptoms of exposure, and precautions for preventing exposure. Do not underestimate hazard risks associated with chemicals or mixtures. If the chemical mixture toxicity is unknown, assume any chemical mixture is as toxic as its most toxic component. Assume substances of unknown toxicity are toxic. Exposure Limits: When handling chemicals, do not exceed the Cal/OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) or American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLVs). Oral Pipetting: Prohibited. Mechanical pipetting aids must be used for all pipetting procedures. Glassware: Inspect glassware for cracks and defects before using. Do not use broken or damaged glassware. For heating and pressurized operations, ensure that the appropriate glassware is used. Handle and store glassware with care to avoid damage. Pick up broken glassware with a broom and dustpan. Do not use your hands even if wearing gloves. Dispose of broken glass properly and label the waste containers as “Broken Glass.” Distillations & Extractions Do not distill or evaporate organic solvents to dryness. Do not attempt any extraction until the solution is cooler than the boiling point of the extractant. Do not vent the separatory funnel near a flame or other ignition source. Chemical Transport: Place chemical containers in secondary containment for transport. If several items are being transported, use a cart with side rails and/or use the original shipping containers to reduce the chance of an accidental spill. If multiple glass bottles are transported in a secondary container, make sure they are secured to minimize rattling to avoid breakage. Do not transport top-heavy items on carts. Always balance the load. Make sure incompatibles are transported separately. Decontamination of Work Surfaces and Equipment: Preventive Measures: Protect work surfaces (e.g., bench tops, hood surfaces, and floors) from contamination (i.e., cover with stainless steel or plastic trays, dry absorbent plastic backed paper or other impervious material). Immediately decontaminate or dispose of contaminated items used to protect work surfaces from contamination. Methods of Decontamination: The decontamination method selected depends on the type of material that has been spilled. MSDS/SDS and chemical reference books can provide information on the selection of an appropriate method. The method of decontamination selected must be compatible with the spilled material and the conditions in the laboratory. The method chosen should be based on specific spill conditions (See Appendix B: Common Methods of Decontamination). Chemical Storage Store stock quantities of hazardous chemicals in a secured area. Keep working quantities of chemicals to a minimum. Store flammable liquids in excess of 10 gallons in approved flammable liquid storage cabinets. Storage of flammable liquids outside of a flammable liquid storage cabinet must be placed in secondary containment and must be in an approved flammable liquid container, such as the original DOT approved container, in which it was shipped. Segregate reactive chemicals from incompatible chemicals (see Appendix C). Affix appropriate labels to storage containers. Chemical Inventory An inventory will be maintained listing all chemicals in the laboratory and storerooms. Chemicals will be listed alphabetically by location according to the most commonly used name. The inventory records will include the average quantity on hand, the physical state (e.g. solid, liquid, gas) of the material, and the manufacturer’s name. As new chemicals are purchased, the Chemical Hygiene Officer will be notified to make additions in the chemical inventory. Laboratory Fume Hood Usage The laboratory fume hood encloses an operation by providing a physical barrier between the user and other room occupants from hazardous gases and vapors. It provides protection from a possible chemical spill, release, or explosion as well. Prior to using a fume hood, become familiar with the location of the nearest exit, emergency shower/eyewash station, and fire extinguisher. Make sure the access to these areas is unobstructed. The hood is not a substitute for personal protective equipment. Always consult with the Faculty/Laboratory Supervisor to determine what types of personal protective equipment are required, such as safety glasses/goggles, lab coat, gloves, and etc. Know the toxic properties of the chemical with which you work. Be able to identify signs and symptoms of an exposure. Check the certification date on the hood. Only use the hood if its certification is current (certified within the last year). Do not use an out of certification hood. Immediately report out of certification hoods to the Chemical Safety Officer or Faculty/Laboratory Supervisor. The sash is designated for use as a safety shield in case of a spill. Adjust the sash at or below the point that will not trigger the alarm. Keep the sash clean and clear. Use an appropriate shield if there is a chance of an explosion or eruption. Keep the sash completely lowered when there is no experiment in progress or whenever the hood is on and unattended. Avoid rapid movements in the hood when sash is open because movements may create sufficient turbulence to disrupt the air flow and cause contaminants to escape the hood and enter the room. Keep laboratory doors closed when a fume hood is in use. Do not place hazardous waste into the hood for evaporation. Hazardous waste must be accumulated for proper disposal. Keep all apparatus at least 6 inches behind the sash and from the rear of the hood. Avoid over storage of laboratory equipment in fume hoods. Clean all chemical residues in the hood after each use. Do not use a fume hood for any function which it is not intended. Certain chemicals or reactions require special constructed hoods. Examples are perchloric acid or high pressure reactions. Hot Plate Usage Use a temperature control unit or a thermometer to monitor the temperature. Do not use mercury thermometers - instead use an alcohol thermometer. Replace unreliable or malfunctioning equipment. Use water baths for temperatures up to 70 - 80 °C. Use silicon oil baths at temperatures of 80 - 200 °C. For temperatures above 200 °C, use a sand bath. Use only heat resistant, borosilicate glassware, and check for cracks before heating on a hot plate. Do not place thick-walled glassware, such as filter flasks, or soft-glass bottles and jars on a hot plate. Do not heat a mixture to dryness - the glass may crack unexpectedly. Be careful when removing hot glassware or pouring hot liquids from a hot plate. Use gripping devices such as tongs or silicone rubber heat protectors. Use a medium high setting of the hot plate to heat most liquids, including water. Do not use a high setting to heat low boiling point liquids. Place magnetic or mechanical stir bars in liquids being heated to facilitate even heating and boiling. Do not leave a standard hot plate unattended. If a reaction must be left unattended, use a hot plate with overshoot protection. Periodically check the bath temperature. Maintain a three inch clearance of any materials from a hot plate. Remove any flammable or combustible materials from the fume hood when using the hot plate and keep the fume hood and work area clutter free. Compressed Gas Cylinders Wear eye protection when handling compressed gases. Make sure that the correct regulator and CGA connector is being used. Secure cylinders at the top and bottom. Keep the cylinder capped when not in use. Adjust the racks so that cylinders can be tightly secured. Do not expose cylinders to temperatures greater than 50° C (122° F). Do not lubricate, modify, force, or tamper with cylinder valves. Use only the correct fittings and connections to ensure compatibility. Avoid rapid release of compressed gases that can cause the hose to whip dangerously and/or build up a static charge that could ignite a combustible gas. Segregate gas cylinder storage from chemical storage. Keep incompatible glasses of gases stored separately. Keep flammables from reactive which include oxidizers and corrosives. Always label cylinders so you know their contents; do not depend on the manufacturers color code. When cylinders are no longer in use, shut the valves, relieve the pressure in the gas regulators, remove the regulators and cap the cylinders. Segregate empty cylinders from full cylinders. Gas cylinders, including lecture bottles should be stored in an upright manner. Toxic gases must be stored and used in a vented cabinet Corrosive gases should be disposed of as hazardous waste when not in use. Manufacturers recommend removal no later than one year after use. New Procedures Evaluate all new experimental/operational procedures with Faculty/Laboratory Supervisor (See Appendix D: Guidelines for developing new procedures). Housekeeping Each laboratory worker is directly responsible for the cleanliness of his or her work space, and jointly responsible for common areas of the laboratory. The Faculty/Laboratory Supervisor is responsible for the maintenance of housekeeping standards. The following procedures apply to the housekeeping standards of the laboratory: All spills on lab benches or floors must be immediately cleaned and decontaminated. The lab benches and fume hoods shall be kept clear of equipment and chemicals except those necessary for the work currently being performed. Keep work areas clean and free from obstruction. Designate work areas away from paper work/computer areas. Clean the work area at the end of each operation and on a regular basis. Remove clutter from fume hoods when running chemical reactions. Clean and return lab equipment to storage after each use. All floors, aisles, egress, fire extinguishers, eyewash/shower stations, electrical disconnects, and other emergency equipment will be accessible without obstructions. Do not leave chemical containers on the floor Remove excess cardboard boxes, styrofoam, or other combustibles from the lab. Doors and eyewash/shower stations should not be blocked by any items. Chemical containers should be clean, properly labeled, and stored properly after each use. Use secondary containment. Flammables must be stored in flammable storage cabinets. Hygiene Practices Personal Hygiene: Keep hands away from mouth, nose, eyes and face. Confine long hair and loose clothing. Wear only non-absorbent, closed-toe shoes. Work Practices: Laboratories can have designated Clean Areas. These areas must be free of chemical, biological, and radioactive hazards and must be posted as such. All laboratory personnel must agree to the Clean Areas, or cross contamination can easily occur. Eating and drinking is not permitted in anywhere in the laboratory not designated as a Clean Area. Smoking, chewing gum or tobacco, or cosmetics is not permitted anywhere in the laboratory, including Clean Area. Do not smell or taste chemicals. Decontamination: Wash areas of exposed skin before leaving the laboratory. Hand washing facilities are available within the work area, but not necessarily used exclusively for hand washing. Use liquid soap, whenever possible. Eyewash and Safety Shower Ensure properly functioning eyewash and safety shower are accessible within 10 seconds to all laboratory personnel who handle hazardous chemicals. Keep the area around the eyewash and safety shower clear at all times. Eyewash and safety showers will be inspected monthly. Hazardous Waste Management Hazardous chemical wastes are properly stored, collected, and disposed. Hazardous Waste Guidelines Do not pour hazardous waste down the drain. Do not evaporate hazardous waste in the fume hood. Do not purchase more of a chemical than you expect to use in the foreseeable future. The cost of disposal often exceeds the purchase price of the chemical. Hazardous waste containers must be completely labeled and dated when the first drop of hazardous waste goes in. Waste containers must be kept closed except when adding hazardous waste. Waste containers must be kept in secondary containment. For disposal of unknown chemicals, contact the Chemical Hygiene Officer.

None known

IV. Control Methods for Chemical Hazards The most effective way to prevent adverse health effects from chemical exposure is to substitute less hazardous chemicals (e.g., substitute toluene for benzene or use aqueous soap instead of an organic solvent for cleaning). For experiments where there are no substitutions for hazardous chemicals, proper use of safety equipment is an effective method for preventing exposures and reducing hazards from chemicals. In particular, personal protective equipment (PPE) may be necessary to ensure an adequate margin of safety in case of incidental/accidental chemical release or contact. Designated Area To minimize contamination, designated areas are assigned for the usage of either a particularly hazardous substance or for a highly hazardous operation. For example, if carcinogens are being used in the lab, a Designated Area should be assigned and a warning label should be posted. Engineering Controls Faculty/Laboratory Supervisors and the Chemical Hygiene Officer should be alert to the failure of engineering controls. Engineering controls must be properly maintained, inspected regularly, and never overloaded beyond their design limits. Engineering controls considered very reliable for protecting employees and the environment, include: Chemical fume hoods, glove boxes, closed systems, and other isolated devices. Note that fume hoods shall comply with 8 CCR 5154.1, Ventilation Requirements for Laboratory Type Hood Operations. Fume hoods are to be used, where feasible, to minimize exposure to employees of emissions from chemical processes. Each fume hood is to be inspected annually for proper face velocity and the hood’s doorframe marked for maximum opening at the required face velocity. In-process use is to be verified by an in-place gauge, calibrated in linear feet per minute that can be easily read by the operator/laboratory personnel during the use of the fume hood. Toxic chemicals are always handled in a fume hood. Negative air pressure of the work place relative to common areas. Non-permeable work surfaces. Secondary containment spill trays. Administrative Controls Administrative controls to prevent exposures and reduce hazards include: Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) outlined in this Chemical Hygiene Plan for laboratory work involving hazardous chemicals. Plan-review for new and renovated laboratory equipment and work areas prior to installation or construction. Substitution of less hazardous equipment (e.g., using safety cans instead of glass bottles). Scaling down the size of the experiment. Isolating the operator or process. Prior approval for laboratory activities involving particularly hazardous substances or procedures. Personal Protective Equipment All personal protective equipment (PPE) must be approved for use by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and meet applicable American National Standards Institute (ANSI) requirements regarding exposure protection limits. The need for PPE must be reviewed and specified prior to beginning any chemical handling procedure and must be used when required. Compatibility of PPE materials with the chemical hazards must be evaluated prior to selecting any equipment. Refer to the PPE manufacturer’s specifications and the chemical MSDS and/or SDS to verify proper use application. Employees are required to wear gloves when there is the potential for direct skin contact with hazardous chemicals. Lab coats are to be worn only in laboratory areas and should be buttoned to protect the laboratory personnel’s skin and clothing from contamination. Lab coats are provided and maintained by the department. All personal protective equipment and contaminated lab wear must be removed immediately prior to leaving laboratory areas and placed in designated control areas to minimize the potential for cross contamination or personal exposure. Consult with Faculty/Laboratory Supervisor to determine what PPE below are required for the laboratory: Laboratory Coat Gloves Eye Protection Long Pants Closed-toe Shoes For additional PPE guidelines, see Appendix H. https://catalog.claremontmckenna.edu/content.php?catoid=24&navoid=3066#Introduction

All obsolete PCs, laptops, printers, scanners, and monitors and cords are recycled through an external electronic waste recycler. They pick up at least one time a month.

https://catalog.claremontmckenna.edu/content.php?catoid=24&navoid=3066#Introduction