University of Connecticut
OP-21: Hazardous Waste Management

From the University Chemical Hygiene Plan: "Chemical Health & Safety" Chemical Hygiene Plan Stefan Wawzyniecki, Jr. Chemical Hygiene Officer Effective Date: July 2008 Table of Contents Foreword I.Introduction II. Summary III. Scope and definitions IV. University of Connecticut Responsibilities V.Standard Operating Procedures A. General Rules B.Personal Hygiene C.Protective Clothing and Equipment D.Housekeeping/Laboratory Inspections E.Prior Approval F.Chemical­Specific Safety Procedures VI.Records and Recordkeeping VII.Chemical Inventory Procedure A. Chemical Procurement B.Chemical Stockrooms/Storage C.Specific Chemical Incompatibilities and Instabilities D.Peroxidizable Compounds E.Laboratory Storage of Chemicals VIII.Information and Training IX.Medical Consultation/Examinations ■Appendix A. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1450 'Laboratory Standard' ■Appendix B. ANSI Standard Z87.1 Eye and Face Protection ■Appendix C. Carcinogen List ■Appendix D. Minimum Guidelines for Laboratory Health and Safety ■Appendix E. NFPA 45 Fire Protection for Laboratories ■Appendix F. Chemical Waste Disposal Manual Forward The University of Connecticut has numerous laboratories at its main campus, as well as at its branch campuses. It employs people within these laboratories, and therefore the University is required to prepare a Chemical Hygiene Plan to be in compliance with 'The OSHA Laboratory Standard'. Because Connecticut has its own OSHA­approved occupational safety and health plan ('State Plan State'), the State has adopted its own laboratory standard, which is as stringent as the Federal standard. The Laboratory Standard was published as an amendment to 29 CFR 1910.1450, Subpart Z, and its title is 'Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories'. The effective date of the Standard was May 1, 1990, and the required written chemical hygiene plan was to be developed and implemented by January 31, 1991. The Laboratory Standard supersedes all of Subpart Z of 29 CFR 1910, which includes the Hazard Communication Standard. However, some of the provisions of these standards are retained in the Laboratory Standard. These include the requirement for maintaining exposure limits below the Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL), information and training requirements, the use of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), labeling, and medical surveillance programs. Top of Page I. Introduction This document serves as the Chemical Hygiene Plan for the University's laboratories, and was developed to meet the guidelines of 29 CFR 1910.1450, "Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories", a standard issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) will be accessible to all employees of the University who are involved in any way with a laboratory activity, as well as to employee representatives, and State OSHA inspectors. In addition the publication, "Minimum Guidelines for Laboratory Health and Safety" (see Appendix D), will be copied and distributed to all laboratory employees. Department-Specific Safety Manuals may also be appended to this document. The Chemical Hygiene Plan places primary emphasis on engineering and administrative controls necessary to protect workers from overexposure to hazardous substances in laboratories. The University of Connecticut Chemical Hygiene Plan is comprised of the following elements: 1.Standard Operating Procedures. 2.Engineering Controls, Personal Protective Equipment, and Hygiene Practices. 3.Control Equipment Inspections and Review. 4.Employee Information and Training. 5.Special or Non­Routine Procedures. 6.Medical Surveillance Program/Environmental Monitoring. 7.Designated Chemical Hygiene Officer. 8.Safe Handling of Particularly Hazardous Substances. Top of Page II. Summary The University of Connecticut will follow the National Research Council's general principles of Chemical Hygiene in Laboratories . They are as follows: 1. Minimize all chemical exposures. 2.Avoid underestimation of risk 3.Provide adequate ventilation. 4.Institute a formal safety program. 5.Observe the Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs, U.S. Dept. of Labor, OSHA) and the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs, American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists). Top of Page III. Scope and Definitions Procedures used do not simulate a production process, whose function is to produce commercial quantities of materials; and where protective laboratory practices and equipment are available and commonly used. OSHA defines a hazardous chemical as a substance for which there is statistically significant evidence, based on at least one scientific study, showing that acute or chronic harm may result from exposure to that chemical. The University of Connecticut clearly meets the criteria established under OSHA 1910.1450, and is therefore subject to the requirements of the Laboratory Standard. Top of Page IV. University of Connecticut Responsibilities The University is obligated to ensure chemical health and safety at all levels, including: 1.President of the University -- ultimately responsible for chemical safety on the campuses, and who, with the University administration, must provide the support for implementation and maintenance of a chemical hygiene program. 2.Deans/Departments Heads -- responsible for incorporating chemical safety committees within their respective departments/units, and for chemical hygiene in general within their departments. 3.University Laboratory Safety Committee -- responsible for reviewing, recommending, and developing policies and procedures toward achieving safe work practices involving chemicals. 4.Departmental Safety Committees/Building Safety Committees -- responsible for assisting the University Chemical Hygiene Officer in implementing this plan. These committees may develop additional policies with the intent to promote prudent work practices which are specific for their departments, or specific to research within their department or building. 5.Principle Investigator (PI) -- responsible for chemical hygiene in the laboratory/laboratories assigned to them. They must have up-to-date knowledge of the chemical inventory in their laboratory, as well as provide Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to their students and staff upon request. This includes knowing the hazards and how to control exposures through the proper selection of laboratory techniques and engineering controls. The PI should inform all employees working in the laboratory of the hazards associated with the chemicals present, encourage safe analytical techniques, and detail procedures for dealing with accidental spills. The PI should communicate with the parties mentioned above for assistance in monitoring engineering controls (ventilation), lab air quality, chemical waste disposal, chemical inventory maintenance, acquiring permission to obtain extremely hazardous substances, and understanding the legal requirements associated with all aspects of chemical usage in the laboratory. 6.Laboratory Workers -- as employees of the University, are obligated to understand the chemical hygiene plan, and to report any unsafe practices or conditions to any of the aforementioned parties. They should develop good laboratory habits in conducting any research involving the use of chemicals, and know the proper means of disposal of waste chemicals. With the PI, the laboratory worker is responsible for dating incoming chemicals, properly storing them, labeling containers holding chemicals or intermediates of reactions, and informing visitors to the laboratory of the potential hazards within, and the associated rules. This information can be displayed using signs and symbols. 7.Chemical Hygiene Officers (CHO) -- at the University, the CHO acts as the representative of the President" of the University. Assigned to this CHO is the duty to prepare, implement, and maintain the written Chemical Hygiene Plan. Other CHO's may be designated by departmental/unit safety committees, Deans and/or Department Heads, and may be a second title for someone such as a Laboratory Director or a PI. Their duties will be to oversee that the Chemical Hygiene Plan is being followed, either as a separate entity, or in conjunction with a departmental safety manual."

EH&S Regulated Waste Management This page is designed to provide Principal and Licensed Investigators, Laboratory Supervisors, Non-laboratory Staff and students access to the forms and information they need to conduct the safe handling of the wastes generated in their area, including but not limited to: hazardous wastes, surplus chemicals, biowaste, regulated medical wastes, universal waste (fluorescent light bulbs, electronics, batteries, etc). http://ehs.uconn.edu/Regulated%20Waste%20Management/