This UO Hazardous Materials Guide outlines procedures established for the safe and proper management of hazardous materials at the UO. In addition, this guide provides instructions for handling materials which may not be considered hazardous, but have special processing or waste management requirements. These procedures are intended to promote compliance with federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to hazardous materials.
This program applies to all generators of waste at the University of Oregon (including labs, housing, facilities, athletics, construction operations, and all other campus partners).
Key Responsibilities
The PI is the primary person responsible for their lab's safety and documentation of training.
- Complete annual EHS Lab Safety and Hazardous Waste training.
- Provide lab specific safety training to all lab users prior to them starting work in the lab.
- Maintain an accurate chemical inventory.
- Educate staff/students on safe and proper use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials at the university.
- Ensure accurate labeling of all chemical containers in the work area (no abbreviations).
- Conduct periodic inspections of potential waste generating operations under your direct control.
- Ensure the volume of hazardous waste never exceeds 55 gallons.
- Contact EHS when waste materials need to be collected.
- Maintain an uncluttered workspace with appropriate labeling and material segregation.
- Complete annual EHS Lab Safety and Hazardous Waste training.
- Work with your PI to complete lab specific safety training prior to working in lab.
- Maintain an accurate chemical inventory.
- Educate staff/students on safe and proper use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials at the university.
- Ensure accurate labeling of all chemical containers in the work area (no abbreviations).
- Conduct periodic inspections of potential waste generating operations under your direct control.
- Ensure the volume of hazardous waste never exceeds 55 gallons.
- Contact EHS when waste materials need to be collected.
- Maintain an uncluttered workspace with appropriate labeling and material segregation.
- Implement procedures to prevent abandonment of hazardous waste.
- Includes shared storage areas such as refrigerators, freezers, and stock rooms.
- Department/institute may be held fiscally responsible for costs incurred due to improper management or disposal of hazardous materials.
- Promote waste reduction and minimization.
- Communicate hazardous materials issues with department staff.
- Collaborate with hazardous materials team to proactively address concerns or questions.
- Label individual chemical containers as they arrive if not already done by manufacturer.
- Date chemicals with month/year received.
- Assist in returning gas cylinders to manufacturer or vendor.
- Ensure student workers have undergone Lab Safety and Hazardous Materials training or HazCom training and workplace specific hazards training.
- Complete annual Hazcom training.
- Work with your supervisor to complete job specific workplace hazards training prior to beginning work.
- Document all trainings.
- Contact EHS for technical assistance, hazardous materials questions, or hazardous waste collections.
Everyone shares responsibility for abiding by university, federal, and state lab safety and hazardous waste requirements.
Required Training
Before starting work or activities that may involve exposure to hazardous materials:
- HazComm training
- Document all trainings.
- Learn about appropriate PPE for the job.
Anyone working in a lab must also:
- Complete Lab Safety and Hazardous Materials training annually. Group-specific training is available on request by emailing EHS.
- Complete Lab Specific chemical process trainings.
- Use lab specific equipment and engineering controls.
- Complete any other lab specific training required. Examples include engineering controls, chemicals, equipment, and all other risks associated with the lab.
Waste Disposal
EHS collects and prepares hazardous materials for ultimate disposal by commercial contractors in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations.
Research facilities and labs can schedule a hazardous waste pickup through the EHS Assistant. Additional steps are needed for a Radioactive waste pickup.
Non-lab campus partners, such as athletics, housing, facilities, and construction operations, should contact the Hazardous Materials team directly for all other hazardous and universal waste pickups.
Lab Close Out
Proper disposition of hazardous materials is required whenever a responsible individual leaves the university or transfers to a different working location. This includes shared storage areas such as refrigerators, freezers, and stock rooms.
Lab close out guidance is available in the Lab Safety Manual.
Shipping
Shipping training is required. Find more information on the Hazardous and Regulated Materials Shipping and Transportation page.
Spill Response
If a hazardous material spill occurs that you are not comfortable and trained to deal with or if you discover an unknown material spill:
- Go to a secure location and call EHS (541)954-3605. If EHS is unavailable call the Security Operations Center at (541)346-2919.
- Provide all information requested and follow the instructions provided by the dispatcher.
- If the hazards of the material are known and proper protective measures are followed, you can clean the spill in your work area. If you are unsure in any way, Do Not take any risks.
- Report the incident to your PI or supervisor and submit an injury report within 24 hours.
Additional lab emergency planning and incident response information are are available in the Lab Safety Manual.
Chemical Spill Procedures
When a chemical spill occurs, take prompt and appropriate action.
- First alert others in your lab or work area that a spill has occurred.
- Determine if you can safely clean up the spill yourself.
The type of response to a spill will depend on the quantity of the chemical spilled and the severity of the hazards associated with the chemical. Many chemical spills can be safely cleaned up by laboratory staff without the help of EHS. Only attempt to clean up incidental spills if you are trained and have the proper spill cleanup materials available.
More information about chemical spill procedures is on the Chemical Safety page.
Hazardous Materials Guide
Read Hazardous Materials Guide
Questions?
Contact the Hazardous Materials Team.