18.0 Waste Disposal Procedures
18.1 Broken Glass
18.1.2 Equipment (broken beakers, pipets, etc. that are waste) should be promptly swept up and disposed of in containers labeled "Non- contaminated Waste Glass Only", or "Puncture Hazard". When the container is full tape it shut. Place the labeled box next to, but not in, the regular trash for pickup by custodial or place it in the dumpster yourself. If a chemical is spilled at the same time glass is broken, refer to section 13.0 and section 18.3.
18.2 Broken Thermometers (Mercury)
18.2.1 Immediately clean up broken glass and spilled mercury from broken thermometers. Do not handle mercury by hand. Special kits are available to clean up mercury (Indicate location of spill kit). Enclose thermometer pieces in a sealed jar with a small amount of water over the mercury and follow chemical waste packaging instruction for disposal by EHS. Contact EHS if you are uncomfortable cleaning up a small mercury spill, if a mercury spill kit is not readily available, or if the spill is too large to be cleaned up by yourself.
18.3 Chemicals
18.3.1 Each person working in the laboratory has a responsibility to see that all wastes are disposed of properly.
18.3.2 Waste disposal procedures must be in compliance with City, State, and Federal regulations. All waste containers must be labeled with the contents and the date of accumulation. Follow OHIO University Waste disposal procedures.
18.3.3 The laboratory's waste streams are as follows: (specify waste streams and method of disposal, for example lab trash, non-contaminated glass and sharp, radioactive waste, infectious waste, etc.).
18.3.4 Hoods shall not be used for disposing of volatile chemicals greater than 100 ml.
18.3.5 Drains shall not be used for disposal of chemicals unless: (a) it is part of a procedure or process of chemical manipulation, (b) the chemical is water soluble, (c) the chemical is compatible with the sanitary sewer constituents and the contents of the drain trap, and (d) it is legal to do so. Once the chemical has been stored as waste it shall not be disposed of in the sanitary sewer.
18.3.6 Chemical waste is removed by EHS and EHS is also responsible to ensure regulatory compliance once the waste is removed from the generation site.
18.3.7 Chemical waste generators are responsible for preparing and packaging chemical waste according to the "Waste Packaging Instructions" found in the Ohio University Hazardous Materials Manual.
18.3.8 Container integrity is the responsibility of the generator.
18.3.9 Costs incurred as a result of packaging failure is the responsibility of the generating department.
18.3.10 All wastes given to EHS for disposal must be identified. The cost of determining the identity of "unknowns" lies with the department. All departments are responsible for the proper disposal of any wastes left by faculty or staff that have left OHIO University.
18.3.11 Any person shipping hazardous chemicals from the site of generation must have specific training for safe transportation of those hazardous materials.
18.3.12 Special waste disposal, such as low-level radiation, infectious material, lead, asbestos as other regulated waste should be disposed of per OHIO University procedures and according to applicable regulations. Contact EHS for assistance.