Chemical Hygiene Plan for McCardell Bicentennial Hall .pdf
Broken glass and sharps
In order to prevent injury to the custodians, all broken glass and other sharps—including Pasteur pipets, pipettor tips, syringe needles, razor and scalpel blades, and similar objects—are to be disposed in specially marked boxes. Floor-standing and benchtop glass-disposal boxes are available from the custodians, and syringe disposal containers are available from the Laboratory Stores.
Uncontaminated sharps should be placed directly in the disposal boxes. Sharps potentially contaminated with infectious agents—including anything that has been exposed to human blood or blood products—must be segregated and treated as for other biohazardous wastes, as described below.
Laboratory safety
Safety and environmental procedures in laboratories are governed by Middlebury College’s Chemical Hygiene Plan. Faculty and staff are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the Plan and for following all requirements included in the Plan. Copies of the current Chemical Hygiene Plan are distributed annually to all faculty and staff in McCardell Bicentennial Hall, and are also available from Tom Sheluga, Cathy Ekstrom, or Tim Wickland.
Hazardous waste disposal
Disposal of many substances is subject to a variety of federal and state regulations as hazardous waste. Included in this category are most organic solvents, corrosives, materials containing heavy metals, and a variety of other materials. To determine whether any of your wastes are considered hazardous, speak with Tom Sheluga.
Accumulation and disposal of hazardous wastes is required to be in compliance with the College’s Chemical Hygiene Plan. Among the requirements, containers in laboratories must be marked with the words “Hazardous Waste” and with a listing of the contents, and must remain closed except when wastes are actually being added to the container.
Please arrange with Tom Sheluga in advance before bringing down any wastes for disposal. Do not simply drop off waste containers at the Lab Stores or the waste storage room!
Biohazardous wastes
Infectious materials and contaminated liquids or solids must not be disposed in ordinary trash receptacles without treatment. Most biohazardous wastes generated at Middlebury College can be decontaminated by steam autoclaving. Depending on the pathogen class as well as the density and total volume, certain biohazardous wastes may require shipment to a medical incinerator.
Biohazardous wastes must be accumulated in an appropriate autoclavable waste bag. After decontamination, the autoclaved waste bags will be placed inside an opaque trash bag for disposal. Building custodians have been instructed not to touch or empty biohazardous waste bags.
Please speak with Tim Allen regarding all accumulation and disposal of biohazardous wastes.
Radioactive materials
Purchase, use, and disposal of licensed radioactive materials are subject to NRC regulations and specific requirements of the College. If you intend to use any licensed radioactive materials, you must either be added to Middlebury’s Materials License or work under the supervision of a licensed user. Speak with Tim Wickland, RSO, (ext. 5421) for more information.
Cathy Ekstrom is responsible for placing all orders of radioactive materials. Individual users and department coordinators must not place orders with vendors without speaking first with Cathy.
Tim Allen (ext. 5729), who is a trained radiation safety technician, is a resource for questions regarding radioactive materials use. He can assist faculty and students in work with licensed materials, perform periodic surveys, and train users on safe handling of radioactive materials.
Drugs and controlled substances
The College is licensed to possess certain controlled substances and prescription pharmaceuticals for use in animals, in vitro studies, and chemical processes. Purchase, use, and disposal of controlled substances and pharmaceuticals for animal use are subject to strict federal and state regulations. Orders for purchase and disposal of these materials must be placed through Cathy Ekstrom (ext. 3262). To avoid potential problems, please speak with her well in advance to confirm that the College is permitted to possess the material you wish to order.
Work with animals
Most work involving live animals must be approved in advance by Middlebury’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). It is essential that all animal users comply with applicable federal regulations and Middlebury College policies regarding animal care and use.
For more information, speak with Sarah Froebel, Director of Animal Programs.
To provide information and facilitate communication among animal users, STSS also maintains an electronic discussion forum (listserv) on animal care issues. Please speak with Sarah Froebel for details about this service.