| Topic | Who… | Notes | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Extinguishers | Training on fire extinguisher use? | EHS has a virtual fire wall trainer which can be set-up upon request. The operation of a fire extinguisher is also covered in Fire Safety and Evacuation training. | EHS |
| Chemical Fume Hoods | Tests the face velocity of chemical fume hoods? | All chemical fume hoods associated with research or teaching activities are tested annually and upon request by the LSS or ORS. If the chemical fume hood is not associated with research and teaching activities (e.g., mechanical rooms, art studios, machine shops, science classrooms in K-12 school), EHS will perform the testing annually or upon request. If your hood is new, has been moved, recently repaired, reconfigured, or exceeded the annual inspection date, contact LSS/ORS or EHS. If the fume hood is in a clinical lab or associated with patient care, contact UCMC-EHS. | ORS, LSS, EHS, UCMC-EHS |
| Emergency Showers and Eyewashes | Tests emergency showers and eyewashes? | Emergency shower testing involves turning on the shower. This requires special equipment to contain the water. Facilities Services/Physical Plant tests emergency showers annually. Showers inside of laboratories may not be on Facilities Services/Physical Plant’s inventory. Verify that your shower has a tag with a test date. If it does not, or if the test date is older than one year, contact Facilities Services/Physical Plant. Emergency eyewashes should also be tested annually to verify adequate flow, flow pressure, temperature, and spray pattern. | FS, Phy Plt |
| Emergency Showers and Eyewashes | Tests emergency showers and eyewashes that lack a drain? | Some emergency showers, usually the pole-mounted types, have integrated eyewash fountains that drain through a pipe beneath the bowl. The drain pipe is usually not connected to a drain and the water will run across the floor. Facilities Services/Physical Plant can test the shower and integrated eyewash for you. Showers with integrated eyewashes inside of laboratories may not be on Facilities Services/Physical Plant’s inventory. Verify that your shower/eyewash has a tag with a test date. If it does not, or if the test date is older than one year, contact Facilities Services/Physical Plant. Select safety showers are also connected to alarms that notify Facilities Services/Physical Plant when they are in use. | FS, Phy Plt |
| Biological Safety Cabinets | Tests and certifies biological safety cabinets? | The PI/lab personnel should contact a preferred vendor to ensure all biological safety cabinets are tested annually by a contractor. BSCs must be certified or tagged as “not for biohazard” (signage provided by ORS). If your BSC is new, has been moved, recently repaired or reconfigured, it must be recertified. ORS checks the BSCs during the annual lab inspections to ensure they have been tested. | PI, Fac Mgr |
| Certifications | Signs Material Transfer Agreements? | When patented resources are transported in or out of the University, Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) are implemented. Signatures are mandatory from the providers and recipient institution to confirm that each participant obeys the terms of the procedure. Material covered by NIH guidelines will require IBC protocol amendment prior to use. | ORS |
| Shipping | Ships infectious material goods? | Labs shipping biological materials must designate a shipper who must complete training through ORS. Only trained personnel can ship biological materials with or without dry ice from the University. | LAB, ORS |
| Shipping | Ships hazardous materials or dangerous goods? | Labs shipping hazardous materials must designate a shipper who must complete training through ORS. | LAB, ORS |
| Biological Safety Cabinets | Selection and location assessment of biological safety cabinets? | PI should contact Biosafety Officers at ORS for assistance in choosing between the various types/classes of biosafety cabinets and to determine the optimal location for installation. | PI, ORS |
| Renovations | Reviews plans for new lab construction or lab renovations? | New lab construction or lab renovation plans should be submitted to Laboratory Safety Specialist and ORS for review. | LSS, ORS |
| Odors | Responds to vehicle exhaust entering the lab? | Facilities Services/Physical Plant may be able to determine the source of the exhaust entering the lab. This may be a temporary inconvenience because of construction work being done in the area or from work vehicles idling at the loading dock near intakes that enter the laboratory. If needed, EHS will be contacted. | FS, Phy Plt, EHS |
| Safety and Security | Responds to theft of personal property/University property? | Contact University Police at 123 from a University phone or 773.702.8181 from a mobile phone or push the alert button on the emergency notification stations. | UCPD |
| Mold | Responds to mold problems? | Small to medium sized areas can be cleaned up using normal dust control measures and by following the Mold policy. If the area is larger than 50 square feet, the Facilities Services/Physical Plant can contact a preferred vendor to coordinate removal. The lab/division will incur the cost for the remediation contractor. Contact EHS if suspect asbestos materials may be disturbed. | FS, Phy Plt, EHS |
| Mold | Responds to mold problems in cold rooms? | Lab workers are trained to handle cleanup of lab appliances. For mold in cold rooms, contact the LSS who will contact a qualified vendor. The lab/division will incur the cost for the remediation contractor. ORS should be notified to ensure cold rooms are being managed properly. | LAB, LSS |
| Odors | Responds to chemical nuisance odors in lab buildings? | ORS will come to your lab for known odors from a chemical spill. Otherwise, Facilities Services/Physical Plant may attempt to locate the source of the problem. Common odor problems may be related to work being done in the immediate area or sewer gas passing through dried up sink traps. Before contacting ORS please attempt to locate the source of the odor and run water in all laboratory sinks. | ORS, FS, Phy Plt |
| Safety and Security | Responds to a bomb threat? | Contact University Police at 123 from a University phone or 773.702.8181 from a mobile phone if you suspect a bomb threat. | UCPD |
| Repairs | Repairs faucets, sinks, lights, floors, cabinets, electrical, ceiling tiles, and windows? | Facilities Services/Physical Plant must be contacted for repairs of these items. | FS, Phy Plt |
| Fire Extinguishers | Recharges, replaces, and annually tests fire extinguishers? | FS (Non-BSD University buildings) and MED-EHS (Medical Center) arrange for annual testing of all fire extinguishers a preferred vendor. This testing is indicated by an annual inspection tag placed on the extinguisher. If your extinguisher has lost its charge, has been discharged, or the certification has expired, submit a work order to Facilities Services/Physical Plant. | FS, UCMC-EHS |
| Animals | Provides training for animal users? | An individual must complete online and facility animal training and have been added to the protocol as approved personnel. | ARC |
| Waste Disposal | Provides supplies for hazardous chemical waste disposal? | If you need empty containers for hazardous chemical waste, you can request them via EH&S Assistant. Various sizes and container types are available. | EHS |
| Personal Protective Equipment | Provides safety glasses, goggles, or face shields? | Labs/departments are responsible for providing all faculty, staff, and students with the additional personal protective equipment (PPE) required to conduct their job safely. If you need assistance selecting PPE, contact ORS for lab activities and EHS for non-lab activities. | LAB |
| Signage | Provides safety and warning signs for laboratory doors? | ORS provides safety and warning signs for laboratory doors. Signage is based on your research activities. Emergency Procedure, Emergency Contact, Equipment Alarm, and Hazardous Release Alarm signs may be edited and printed from inside EH&S Assistant (see the Emergency Information and Equipment Alarms Safety Forms). Labs are responsible for keeping signs current and replacing signs when Facilities Services/Physical Plant paints corridors, refinishes, or replaces laboratory doors. Contact ORS before posting additional signs to your laboratory door. | ORS |
| Waste Disposal | Provides red or orange biohazard bags? | The lab should utilize a preferred vendor in Oracleto purchase red or orange biohazard bags. The use of biohazard bags other than red/orange (e.g., clear) is prohibited per the City of Chicago code. The lab can also purchase red or orange bags from the Fisher stockroom. | PI, LAB |
| Personal Protective Equipment | Provides protective gloves? | Labs/departments are responsible for providing all faculty, staff, and students with the personal protective equipment (PPE) required to conduct their job safely. If you need assistance selecting PPE, contact ORS for lab activities and EHS for non-lab activities. | LAB |
| Employee Medical Testing | Provides medical screening or vaccinations required for employment or regular job duties in a lab? | The PI or supervisor are responsible for ensuring that all personnel in the laboratory have required medical tests or vaccinations before commencing work in the laboratory. The PI is also responsible for paying for such testing services. Contact the University of Chicago Occupational Medicine office at 773.702.6757. | LAB |
| Glove Box | Provides maintenance of a glove box inside a lab? | Glove boxes are used when the toxicity, radioactivity level, or oxygen reactivity of the substances under study pose hazards that are too great for use within a fume hood. The major advantage of the glove box is protection for the worker and the product. A laboratory equipment vendor that specializes in glove boxes should be contacted. Facilities Services/Physical Plant are not authorized to work with acutely toxic or radioactive substances. Contact Facilities Services/Physical Plant regarding any maintenance that will impact University property (e.g., gas, water, air lines). | Fac Mgr, LAB |
| Emergency Response | Provides magnets with emergency response phone numbers? | Contact ORS (lab) or EHS (non-lab) for a UCAIR magnet with University Police contact numbers. | ORS, EHS |
| Cryogenic Liquids | Provides liquid helium or liquid nitrogen to labs? | Cylinder Gas Operations handles the purchasing, distribution, and billing for all cylinder gases sold on campus including the medical center. They can help with gas selection, purity, mixtures, hardware, availability, lead times, and connections/hookups. Orders are placed and delivered daily with most lead times being one to three days for non-specialty items. | CGO |
| Training | Provides laboratory safety training? | ORS provides general, regulatory-required laboratory safety training (e.g., Chemical Hygiene Plan). Training profiles can be viewed and managed in EH&S Assistant. PIs and safety contacts must also conduct lab-specific safety training. PIs are responsible for ensuring lab workers complete their safety training. | LAB, ORS |
| Personal Protective Equipment | Provides lab coats? | Labs/departments are responsible for providing lab coats. ORS provides flame-retardant lab coats. | LAB, ORS |
| Training | Provides general safety training? | EHS provides general, regulatory-required safety training (e.g., Fire and Safety Evacuation). Staff can review their training requirements on the safety website and track in EHSA. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring lab personnel complete their general safety training. | EHS |
| Fire Extinguishers | Provides fire extinguishers required inside the lab? | Fire extinguishers are provided as part of the project budget. Replacement of used fire extinguishers are provided by Facilities Services (Non-BSD University buildings) and UCMC-EHS (BSD University buildings and Medical Center). Additional fire extinguishers approved by ORS or EHS are provided at the expense of the laboratory or department. | FS, UCMC-EHS |
| Respirators | Provides filtering face-pieces or respirators needed for laboratory activities? | Labs are responsible for providing all lab personnel with the personal protective equipment (PPE) required to conduct their research safely. Consult ORS for an exposure assessment and PPE selection BEFORE purchasing any respirator. OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard requires training, physician's approval, and fit testing BEFORE an employee may be allowed to wear a respirator for duty. | LAB, ORS |
| Respirators | Provides filtering face-pieces or respirators for activities not related to research labs? | Department supervisors are responsible for providing all faculty, staff, and students with the personal protective equipment (PPE) required to conduct their work safely. Please consult EHS for an exposure assessment and PPE selection BEFORE purchasing any respirator. OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard requires training, physician's approval, and fit testing BEFORE an employee may be allowed to wear a respirator for duty. | EHS |
| Controlled Substances | Provides controlled substances for research? | PIs conducting research with controlled substances must register and maintain their own research licenses to order controlled substances. Note: state and federal licenses are required. | LAB |
| Compressed Gases | Provides compressed gas cylinders filled with laboratory gases (e.g., oxygen or hydrogen) inside the University? | Cylinder Gas Operations handles the purchasing, distribution, and billing for all cylinder gases sold on campus including the medical center. They can help with gas selection, purity, mixtures, hardware, availability, lead times, and connections/hookups. Orders are placed and delivered daily with most lead times being one to three days for non-specialty items. | CGO |
| Waste Disposal | Provides broken glass containers? | The lab can utilize a preferred vendor in Oracle or visit the Fisher stockroom to purchase boxes for broken glass disposal. | PI, LAB |
| Repairs | Paints walls? | All painting of University space is done by properly trained Facilities Services/Physical Plant. Disturbing painted surfaces in pre-1978 residential buildings or child occupied spaces must be conducted by certified EPA renovation, repair, and painting persons. | FS, Phy Plt |
| Fire Extinguishers | Mounts fire extinguishers? | Facilities Services/Physical Plant will mount your fire extinguisher when you submit a work order. The addition of new fire extinguishers needs to be approved by ORS or EHS to ensure they are added to the inspection and maintenance schedule by Facilities Services/Physical Plant. | FS, Phy Plt |
| Chemical Inventory | Maintains the chemical inventory for a lab? | The laboratory to include research, teaching, and K-12 science classrooms should submit the chemical inventory via EH&S Assistant or Quartzy. | LAB |
| Safety Data Sheets | Maintains Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)? | The lab and/or staff storing, handling, or managing the chemical is responsible for maintaining SDSs. | LAB, Staff |
| Visitors and Volunteers | Is responsible for visitor and volunteer lab safety training? | If lab visitors or volunteers work directly with hazardous materials, hazardous processes, or in hazardous environments without a University attendant or direct physical supervision, the coordinator must provide and track lab-specific safety training. ORS provides general laboratory safety training. If the visitor is a minor, the program must be reviewed by Risk Management. Refer to the Minors in Educational Assignment policy. | PI, LAB, ORS |
| Visitors and Volunteers | Is responsible for the safety of visitors and volunteers inside of labs? | The University employee responsible for the visitor or volunteer is also responsible for their safety while at the University. If the visitor is a minor, the program must be reviewed by Risk Management. Refer to the Minors in Educational Assignment policy. | PI, LAB, ORS |
| Accidents and Incidents | Is notified about injuries or spills? | If an injury occurs (injury requiring medical attention), the employee or supervisor should call University Police at 123 from a University phone or 773.702.8181 from a mobile phone to request medical assistance (if needed). UCPD will page the appropriate On-call Safety Officer who will begin a root cause analysis (ORS for lab related injuries and EHS for non-lab related injuries). The injured person should notify their supervisor and submit a UCAIR form to provide details of injury. The UCAIR form is emailed to ORS, EHS, and Risk Management. As directed by Risk Management, the employee and supervisor will need to complete workers compensation paperwork with assistance from their HR Partner to initiate a claim review. Submit workers' compensation forms to wcclaim@uchicago.edu | LAB, ORS, EHS, RM, HR-LA |
| Biological Safety Cabinets | Installs the gas/vacuum line to biological safety cabinets? | PI should contact their facility manager who can help coordinate a work order with Facilities Services or Physical Plant for any modification to utility lines. The lab should register the BSC with ORS upon installation. | FS, Phy Plt |
| Renovations | Installs shelves or cabinetry? | Contact Facilities Services/Physical Plant for the installation of shelving that will be affixed to University property. Any modifications made to University infrastructure must be performed by Facilities Services/Physical Plant. | FS, Phy Plt |
| Emergency Showers and Eyewashes | Installs faucet or deck-mounted emergency eyewashes? | All code-required plumbing purchases and installations are performed by Facilities Services/Physical Plant. In older labs, EHS must be contacted to ensure asbestos lab tops will not be disturbed. If the installation is related to new construction or large renovation, the appropriate project management group will coordinate a contractor to complete the install. | FS, Phy Plt |
| Compressed Gases | Installs compressed gas cylinders mounting brackets? | The lab or department must cover the cost, but Facilities Services/Physical Plant completes the installation. | FS, Phy Plt |
| Glove Box | Installs a glove box inside a lab? | Glove boxes are used when the toxicity, radioactivity level, or oxygen reactivity of the substances under study pose hazards that are too great for use within a fume hood. The major advantage of the glove box is protection for the worker and the product. A laboratory equipment vendor that specializes in glove boxes should be contacted. Facilities Services/Physical Plant are not authorized to work with acutely toxic or radioactive substances. Contact Facilities Services/Physical Plant regarding any installation that will impact University property (e.g., gas, water, air lines). | Fac Mgr, LAB |
| Fire Extinguishers | Inspects the fire extinguishers monthly? | FS (Non-BSD University buildings) and UCMC-EHS (BSD University buildings and Medical Center) perform monthly checks for all fire extinguishers. This testing is indicated on the inspection tag present on the extinguisher and provides the initials and date of inspection. If your extinguisher has lost its charge, been discharged, or the certification has expired, please submit a work order to Facilities Services/Physical Plant. ORS/LSS check the extinguishers during the annual lab inspection and EHS checks extinguishers in mechanical rooms, machine shops, art studios, engineering shops, and specialty K-12 classrooms during the annual general building inspection. | FS, UCMC-EHS |
| Animals | Helps with animal purchasing? | All animals used under ACUC-approved protocols must be ordered through the ARC. | ARC |
| Safety and Security | Handles security situations or dangerous/volatile situations on campus? | Leave the area immediately and notify UCPD at 123 from a University phone or 773.702.8181 from a mobile phone if you fear for your safety and well-being. | UCPD |
| Emergencies | Handles natural gas leaks? | Evacuate the room or area leaving doors open as you leave. Assist with the evacuation of others from the area and extinguish all sources of open flames if you can do so without endangering your safety or impeding your escape. Move to a safe location and call University Police at 123 from a University phone or 773.702.8181 from a mobile phone to report the location of the natural gas leak. Remain nearby to provide first responders relevant information. Re-enter the area only after University Police or the engineering group announces it is safe to do so. | FS, Phy Plt |
| Renovations | Handles concerns regarding asbestos? | Questions and concerns regarding University building materials should be directed to EHS. | EHS |
| Safety and Security | Handles communication for campus wide incidents? | Announcements and instructions concerning a campus wide event will be through the cAlert system (texts and emails), webpage notices, or a combination of these methods. Please ensure your contact information is up-to-date. | DSS-EM |
| Noise | Handles building vibration or other construction related problems? | These may be common disturbances related to normal operating procedures of a construction crew. The project management team should work with facility managers to identify sensitive research or building operations and create a monitoring plan before construction begins. If there is a prolonged interruption to your daily activities, contact your facility manager who will reach out to the project management team. | Fac Mgr, PM-FS-CPD |
| Safety and Security | Handles a suspicious package? | Contact University Police at 123 from a University phone or 773.702.8181 from a mobile phone if you notice a suspicious package. Do not attempt to open the package or determine the contents without a qualified professional. | UCPD |
| Emergency Showers and Eyewashes | Flushes emergency eyewashes in mechanical rooms, machine shops, art studios, engineering shops, and specialty K-12 classrooms? | If the eyewash does not have a drain, contact Facilities Services/Physical Plant who will flush the eyewash. Departments are responsible for flushing their own emergency eyewashes weekly and maintaining a log. Weekly flushing ensures eyewashes are working properly, easily accessible, not obstructed, sediment is flushed out of the system, and personnel are familiar with the location. Maintain a log including the date, inspector, start/end time, and if the eyewash passed for all flushing. | Fac Mgr |
| Emergency Showers and Eyewashes | Flushes emergency eyewashes in labs? | If the eyewash does not have a drain, contact Facilities Services/Physical Plant who will flush the eyewash. Labs are responsible for flushing their own emergency eyewashes monthly and maintaining a log. Monthly flushing ensures eyewashes are working properly, easily accessible, not obstructed, sediment is flushed out of the system, and lab personnel are familiar with the location. Maintain the Eyewash Flush Log for all testing. | LAB |
| Emergency Showers and Eyewashes | Flushes emergency eyewashes in corridors of research buildings? | If the eyewash does not have a drain, contact Facilities Services/Physical Plant who will test the eyewash. Facility managers are responsible for flushing emergency eyewashes monthly and maintaining a log. Monthly flushing ensures eyewashes are working properly, easily accessible, not obstructed, sediment is flushed out of the system, and lab personnel are familiar with the location. Maintain the Eyewash Flush Log for all testing. | Fac Mgr |
| Repairs | Fixes ventilation problems? | Contact Facilities Services/Physical Plant if you feel you have ventilation problems. Laboratories are constructed to create specific pressure gradients that circulate the airflow and ensure that lab workers are in a safe environment. The lab must properly communicate hazards to engineering staff. | FS, Phy Plt |
| Emergency Showers and Eyewashes | Fixes faucet or deck-mounted emergency eyewashes? | Contact your facility manager to submit a work order for FS/Phy Plt for repairs of permanently-installed, inoperable, or leaking eyewashes. The cost associated with repair and installation varies by building and division. | Fac Mgr, FS, Phy Plt |
| Chemical Fume Hoods | Fixes chemical fume hoods? | Lab personnel or staff responsible for the fume hood should contact their facility manager who will submit a work request and report any malfunctions (e.g., sudden loss in air velocity, hood alarms, replacement light bulbs, missing/broken sashes). An account number may have to be provided and, in some cases, a third-party vendor might be used. | Fac Mgr, FS, Phy Plt |
| Noise | Evaluates workplace exposure to noise? | If you are using equipment that emits a high frequency or high decibel reading, contact ORS for lab related activities or EHS for non-lab related activities (e.g., machine shop, art studio, engineering shop, specialty K-12 classrooms). The responsible safety office will coordinate a noise survey. | ORS, EHS |
| Waste Disposal | Disposes of radioactive waste? | Principal Investigators and designated lab personnel should contact the Office of Radiation Safety at radsafety@uchicago.edu or 773.702.6299 to request a pickup for radioactive disposal. The Radiation Safety division of ORS manages the disposal of all radioactive waste. | ORS |
| Waste Disposal | Disposes of potentially infectious waste (non-sharps)? | Utilize a preferred vendor in Oracle or visit the Fisher stockroom to purchase red or orange potentially infectious waste bags. The use of potentially infectious waste bags which are not red or orange is prohibited per the City of Chicago Code. Please note that you CANNOT legally sign potentially infectious waste manifests unless you have up-to-date training for the following courses: Bloodborne Pathogens (non-lab) OR Bloodborne Pathogens for Biomedical Researchers (lab) AND Potentially Infectious Waste Training. The process to dispose of the biohazard bags varies by location. Please see the details below. Lab-Based Research (University Facility - BSD) The facility manager or dock staff completes the required training to sign the potentially infectious waste manifests for the BSD locations below. KCBD, BSLC-Donnelly/Knapp – Contact your Facility Manager, who will collect the red bags and place them into red bins in the potentially infectious waste storage area by the docks. GCIS – Call the GCIS dock staff, who will collect the red bags and place them into red bins in the potentially infectious waste storage area by the dock. Cummings and Kovler Lab – Lab personnel should bring red bags to the local collection point on each floor and place into red bins. When the red bins are full, contact the Facility Manager will relocate the red bin to the basement potentially infectious waste storage area. Hull Court (Anatomy, Culver, Erman, and Zoology) – Lab personnel should bring red bags to the potentially infectious waste storage areas in the basements of Erman or Culver and place into the red bins. Lab-Based Research (University Facility - PSD, PME, SSD) Research labs generating potentially infectious waste must have a designated representative who will complete Bloodborne Pathogens for Biomedical Researchers and Potentially Infectious Waste training in order to sign the potentially infectious waste manifest and ensure compliance with federal regulations. Contact the Office of Research Safety to add these trainings to the designated person or person training profile. Once the legally required training is complete, call your Facility Manager to create a waste pick-up account and schedule the pick-up frequency for your lab with the PIW vendor, Stericycle. When the red bag is 3/4 full close the container, label as waste, and the vendor will pick-up the waste at the frequency you have designated when you set-up the account. Once the account is set-up, send EHS the site number which is issued by Stericycle, and a copy of the first manifest so EHS can add the site to the Stericycle portal. University Facilities (Not associated with lab-based research) Non-lab locations generating potentially infectious waste (non-sharps) must have a designated representative who will complete Bloodborne Pathogen Training and Potentially Infectious Waste Training in order to sign the potentially infectious waste manifest and ensure compliance with federal regulations. Contact Environmental Health and Safety who will add the trainings to your profile and also assist you in the process to set-up an account and schedule a pick-up with the potentially infectious waste vendor. Medical Center Facilities Patient cares areas, clinical labs and research labs within the Medical Center please call the EVS/Performance Management Center at 773.795.5537 to add your location to the weekly pick-up schedule. EVS staff who have completed the required training sign the potentially infectious waste manifests for wastes transported to the docks. |
PI, LAB, Fac Mgr, EVS |
| Waste Disposal | Disposes of potentially infectious sharps (e.g., Glass Pasteur pipettes, slides, slide covers, capillary tubes, razor blades, and/or needles)? | Utilize a preferred vendor in Oracle or visit the Fisher stockroom to purchase red potentially infectious sharps containers. The use of potentially infectious sharps containers that are not red or orange is prohibited per the City of Chicago Code. The sharps containers which are mounted on the walls in patient care areas have a change-out service. This is a special service that is only provided to the hospital. Do not install these units in research or non-patient care areas. Please note that you CANNOT legally sign potentially infectious waste manifests unless you have up-to-date training for the following courses: Bloodborne Pathogens (non-lab) OR Bloodborne Pathogens for Biomedical Researchers (lab) AND Potentially Infectious Waste Training. The process to dispose of the potentially infectious sharps containers varies by location. Please see the details below. Lab-Based Research (Medical Center - BSD) Contact the EVS/Performance Management Center at 773.795.5537 to arrange for the disposal of potentially infectious waste and sharps from your location. EVS will not pick up sharps containers from a laboratory unless they have first been closed and then placed inside a red bag/bin for disposal. All labs should have an account set up with EVS in advance. EVS staff who have completed the required training sign the potentially infectious waste manifests for wastes transported from the docks. Lab-Based Research (University Facility- BSD) All sharps containers should be closed and placed inside a red bag/bin then contact your Facility Manager to request a pick up. The facility manager or dock staff completes the required training to sign the potentially infectious waste manifests for the BSD locations below. KCBD, BSLC-Donnelly/Knapp – Contact your Facility Manager, who will collect the sharps containers and place them into red bins in the potentially infectious waste storage area by the docks. GCIS – Call the GCIS dock staff, who will collect the sharps containers and place them into red bins in the potentially infectious waste storage area by the dock. Cummings and Kovler Lab – Lab personnel should bring sharps containers to the local collection point on each floor and place them into red bins. When the red bins are full, contact the Facility Manager will relocate the red bin to the basement potentially infectious waste storage area. Hull Court (Anatomy, Culver, Erman, and Zoology) – Lab personnel should bring sharps containers to the potentially infectious waste storage areas in the basements of Erman or Culver and place into the red bins. Lab-Based Research (University Facility - PSD, IME, SSD) - Research labs generating potentially infectious sharps waste must have a designated representative who will complete Bloodborne Pathogens for Biomedical Researchers and Potentially Infectious Waste training in order to sign the potentially infectious waste manifest and ensure compliance with federal regulations. Contact the Office of Research Safety to add these trainings to the designated person or person training profile. Once the legally required training is complete, call your Facility Manager to create a waste pick-up account and schedule the pick-up frequency for your lab with the PIW vendor, Stericycle. The potentially infectious sharps should be collected in a red, puncture-resistant, biohazard sharps containers. When the container reaches the full-line present on the container, close the container, label as waste, and the vendor will pick-up the waste at the frequency you have designated when you set up the account. Once the account is set up, send EHS the site number which is issued by Stericycle and a copy of the first manifest so EHS can add the site to the Stericycle portal. University Facilities (Not associated with lab-based research) - Non-lab locations generating potentially infectious sharps waste must have a designated representative who will complete Bloodborne Pathogen Training and Potentially Infectious Waste training in order to sign the potentially infectious waste manifest and ensure compliance with federal regulations. Contact Environmental Health and Safety who will add the trainings to your profile and also assist you in the process to set-up an account and schedule a pick-up with the potentially infectious waste vendor. Medical Center Facilities - Patient cares areas, clinical labs and research labs within the Medical Center please call the EVS/Performance Management Center at 773.795.5537 to add your location to the weekly pick-up schedule. EVS staff who have completed the required training sign the potentially infectious waste manifests for wastes transported from the docks. |
PI, LAB, Fac Mgr, EVS |
| Compressed Gases | Disposes of non-University compressed gas cylinders? | If the cylinders were not purchased from the University's Cylinder Gas Operations group, the lab/department should reach out the vendor to see if they will take the used cylinders back. If a reverse distributor is unable to be located, EHS will coordinate the disposal. If the contents of the cylinders are unknown, acutely toxic, or reactive, the cost associated with disposal may be the responsibility of the department or division. | LAB, Staff |
| Waste Disposal | Disposes of non-infectious, chemically contaminated sharps (e.g., Glass Pasteur pipettes, slides, slide covers, capillary tubes, razor blades, and/or needles contaminated with xylene)? | Place non-infectious, chemically-contaminated sharps in a black or green puncture-resistant, sealable container. Do NOT use red, orange, or yellow containers. When these containers are nearing the full line, place a hazardous waste label on the container which communicates the chemical hazard, and use the contact listed below based on your location. Research Labs in University or Medical Center Facilities - Submit a Hazardous Waste Pickup Request via EH&S Assistant and the waste vendor will collect your sharps. Medical Center Facilities - Clinical laboratories located in the Medical Center should call UCMC EHS at 773.795.7233 (5-SAFE) to schedule a pick-up. |
PI, LAB, Fac Mgr, EHSA, UCMC-EHS |
| Waste Disposal | Disposes of non-contaminated broken glass? | Non-contaminated broken glass can be disposed of in a broken glass box with a liner. Utilize a preferred vendor in Oracle or visit the Fisher stockroom to purchase boxes (and liners) for broken glass disposal. Once filled and sealed, label as “Non-contaminated Glass” and use the contact listed below based on your location. Campus buildings - Contact your facility manager, who will coordinate the pick-up with custodial services. Medical Center buildings - Clinical or research labs within the Medical Center footprint should call the EVS/Performance Management Center. |
LAB, Fac Mgr, EVS |
| Waste Disposal | Disposes of light bulbs? | For UV light bulbs from lab equipment or any broken fluorescent bulbs, submit a Hazardous Waste Pickup Request via EH&S Assistant. Lamps from biosafety cabinets must be decontaminated prior to pickup. For intact bulbs (CFL, UV, Fluorescent, or Mercury Vapor Tubes): Campus buildings - Contact Facilities Services Work Center. BSD buildings (Anatomy, BSLC, CLSC, Culver, Erman, KCBD, Kovler, Zoology) - Contact your facility manager. Medical Center buildings - Enter through EH&S Assistant or contact the UChicago Medicine EHS office. For more information see the Batteries, Lamps, and Ballasts Waste Handling policy. |
FS, EHSA, UCMC-EHS, Fac Mgr |
| Laboratory Equipment Disposal | Disposes of laboratory refrigerators or freezers? | Consult ORS if any biological or chemical materials are stored in the refrigerators or freezers. Properly clean and disinfect the refrigerator or freezer and deface/remove all hazard signs. If the unit is no longer operational or you would like to dispose of it, then submit a work order to Facilities Services/Physical Plant. The engineer will use refrigerant recovery equipment that is certified by the EPA, complete the proper documentation in adherence with the EPA regulations, and then send the unit for disposal. If the unit is operational and you want to donate or sell the item, then the refrigerant can remain in the unit. Regardless of the final destination of the unit (disposal or sold) you should inform your facility manager to ensure any tagged assets are properly removed from the inventory of insurable items for your division. | PI, LAB |
| Laboratory Equipment Disposal | Disposes of lab equipment? | Inform your facility manager to ensure any tagged assets are properly removed from the inventory of insurable items for your division. The PI/lab personnel should containerize and attach a hazardous waste label to any hazardous materials drained from equipment. Labels are available in the EHS Hazardous Waste Disposal Procedures or EH&S Assistant hazardous waste module. Lab personnel should consult ORS if any biological or chemical materials are used prior to cleaning the equipment and attach a decontamination certificate to each piece of equipment. Once drained and cleaned, the PI/lab personnel should submit a work order to Facilities Services/Physical Plant for disposal. | FS, Phy Plt |
| Waste Disposal | Disposes of hazardous chemical waste? | Principal Investigators and designated lab safety contacts can log into EH&S Assistant and access the Hazardous Waste menu to request pickup for chemical waste disposal and request replacement containers. Non-lab staff can call EHS directly to coordinate a pick-up. The lab and/or staff are responsible for containerizing and labeling the waste before a pick-up occurs. Label templates are available in the EHS Hazardous Waste Disposal Procedures and EH&S Assistant hazardous waste module. ORS will assist during a lab decommissioning process to identify chemical hazards and designate waste. | LAB, Staff |
| Controlled Substances | Disposes of empty controlled substances bottles or vials? | For empty vials or bottles ordered from an outside vendor, contact the vendor or a reverse distributor for disposal options. If returning the containers is not feasible, submit a waste pick-up request via EH&S Assistant. EHS can coordinate the disposal of empty and expired bottles of controlled substances if the PI has a valid DEA license. Keep a log showing complete usage of controlled substances. | PI, LAB |
| Waste Disposal | Disposes of electronic waste/office peripherals? | Campus community members can dispose of televisions, digital cameras, and other items in special bins located at the east entrance of the Regenstein Library and the west lobby of the Gordon Center for Integrative Science seven days a week during business hours. Items can also be taken to the IT Services office at 6019 S. Kimbark Avenue from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. | ITS |
| Waste Disposal | Disposes of chemically contaminated glass? | Principal Investigators and safety contacts can log into EH&S Assistant and access the Hazardous Waste menu to request pickup for chemically contaminated glass (e.g., acutely toxic or highly reactive). | EHS |
| Waste Disposal | Disposes of batteries? | Refer to the Batteries, Lamps, and Ballasts Waste Handling policy for details, but for intact batteries, apply tape over the terminals and place in one of the battery recycling tubes located in select buildings across campus. When the container is full, the facility manager or person managing the recycling tube should properly label it as "universal waste" and submit a pick-up request via the Facilities Services work order system. For batteries in the Medical Center or any batteries too large to fit in a recycling tube or those that are damaged/leaking, containerize, label, and submit a Hazardous Waste Pickup Request via EH&S Assistant. | FS, EHS, EHSA |
| Controlled Substances | Disposes of and/or returns controlled substances? | Controlled substances are not disposed of, they are returned. The PI holding the DEA License is responsible for adhering to the return policy outlined in their protocol. It is illegal for EHS to collect/move controlled substances out of the lab during hazardous chemical waste pick-ups. If a PI abandons the material or it cannot be returned, contact ORS who can research the DEA license and work with EHS. EHS will communicate with the DEA to determine a suitable handling procedure. ORS can provide guidance to assist in the management of controlled substances. | PI, LAB |
| Internal Moves | Coordinates the relocation of decontaminated laboratory equipment and office furniture? | The PI/lab personnel must use preferred vendors available in Oracle for campus moves. Separate vendors must be used to move contaminated equipment or hazardous materials. Lab personnel are prohibited by law to move hazardous materials using personal vehicles. Only the EHS term vendor can handle hazardous chemical waste. | PI, LAB |
| Fire Safety | Coordinates fire drills? | EHS works with facility managers to coordinate fire drills. If the drill will be in a lab building, EHS will reach out to ORS to request assistance. | Fac Mgr, EHS |
| Ergonomics | Consults with labs about ergonomics? | EHS can assist in determining appropriate furniture to establish a hazard free and safe working environment. ORS can review techniques and lab equipment to establish non-repetitive procedures. The costs of any improvements are the responsibility of the employee’s department. | EHS, ORS |
| Water Quality | Conducts water quality testing? | Contact your facility manager to submit an EHS work request. EHS will perform a risk assessment. If sampling is warranted, EHS will coordinate the sampling with a third-party vendor. | EHS |
| Exposure Monitoring | Conducts exposure monitoring for non-lab activities? | EHS will work with staff to evaluate hazards and employ the proper engineering controls, safe work practices, and personal protective equipment (PPE) to limit exposure levels. If warranted, EHS will coordinate a consultant to conduct exposure monitoring. | EHS |
| Exposure Monitoring | Conducts exposure monitoring for laboratory related activities? | ORS/LSS will work with laboratory personnel to evaluate lab hazards and employ the proper engineering controls, safe work practices, and personal protective equipment (PPE) to limit exposure levels. If warranted, ORS will coordinate a consultant to conduct exposure monitoring. | ORS, LSS |
| Repairs | Cleans up water leaks? | Lab workers or staff can clean up and attempt to contain small water leaks until Facilities Services/Physical Plant can be contacted to repair the source of the leak. If the leak is large and impacting multiple areas (e.g., significant flooding), call University Police at 123 from a University phone or 773.702.8181 from a mobile phone to report an emergency. A third-party remediation vendor may be coordinated to handle large clean-ups. | LAB, Staff, FS, Phy Plt |
| Chemical Spills | Cleans up chemical spills in non-lab spaces (i.e., mechanical rooms, utility shops, or art studios)? | Staff will clean up small spills (< one liter and not acutely toxic or an inhalation hazard). All staff who work with chemicals should have completed all required safety training on the hazards and the safety data sheet should be readily available. If the spill is greater than spill kit capabilities, entered a drain, leads to fire, explosion, or medical emergency, call University Police at 123 from a University phone or 773.702.8181 from a mobile phone so the EHS On-call Safety Officer is paged. EHS will clean up medium spills and coordinate a remediation contractor to clean up large spill or spills involving acutely toxic or inhalation hazards. The department responsible for the spill will incur the cost for the remediation contractor. Report all spills in UCAIR. EHS will coordinate the pick-up of any hazardous waste generated. Submit a pick-up request via EH&S Assistant. | Staff, EHS |
| Chemical Spills | Cleans up chemical spills associated with research or teaching lab activities? | Lab personnel will clean up small spills (< one liter and not acutely toxic or an inhalation hazard). All lab personnel who work with chemicals should have completed all required safety training on the hazards and the safety data sheet should be readily available. ORS will assist with cleanup upon request. If the spill is greater than spill kit capabilities, entered a drain, leads to fire, explosion, or medical emergency, call University Police at 123 from a University phone or 773.702.8181 from a mobile phone so the ORS On-call Safety Officer is paged. ORS will clean up medium spills and coordinate a remediation contractor to clean up large spill or spills involving acutely toxic or inhalation hazards. The lab/division responsible for the spill will incur the cost for the remediation contractor. Report all spills in UCAIR. EHS will coordinate the pick-up of any hazardous waste generated. Submit a pick-up request via EH&S Assistant. | LAB, ORS |
| Lab Coat Cleaning | Cleans lab coats? | The lab/department is responsible for cleaning their lab coats and can find approved vendors in Oracle. ORS manages the cleaning for the coats that are part of the Flame-Retardant coat program. | LAB, ORS |
| Emergencies | Cleans blood spills related to lab research or teaching activities? | Lab personnel who have successfully completed Bloodborne Pathogens for Biomedical Researchers training can clean-up blood spills. ORS will assist with cleanup upon request. If the spill is too large or trained personnel are not present, contact ORS who will either clean up the spill or coordinate a remediation contractor for clean-up. The lab/division responsible for the spill will incur the cost for the remediation contractor. Report all spills in UCAIR. | LAB, ORS |
| Emergencies | Cleans blood spills not related to research activities? | Staff who have successfully completed Bloodborne Pathogens training can clean-up blood spills. If the spill is too large or trained personnel are not present, contact EHS who will clean up the spill or coordinate either FS ABM or a remediation contractor depending on the size of clean-up. The department responsible for the spill will incur the cost for the remediation contractor. Report all spills in UCAIR. | Staff, EHS |
| Mold | Cleans a moldy refrigerator? | Lab personnel or staff are qualified to clean mold contamination in areas less than 50 square feet by following the Mold policy and using a mild solution of bleach and water, soap and water, or vinegar and baking soda for small-scale cleaning. Labs should contact ORS if they want to decommission multiple refrigerators. If cleaning is being conducted to facilitate relocation of a refrigerator, it should be tagged as decontaminated with the person's name who cleaned the unit and the date it was cleaned. | LAB, Staff |
| Repairs | Changes the filters in ceiling registers? | Facilities Services/Physical Plant can change these filters. | FS, Phy Plt |
| Repairs | Changes pre-filters or HEPA filters? | Facilities Services/Physical Plant can change these filters in the lab for non-hazardous processes. If the filter is in-line for a hazardous process, a decommissioning vendor may need to be procured. If the filter is in-line for a labeled Radioactive Material fume hood, contact the Office of Radiation Safety to survey the filters. | FS, Phy Plt |
| Certifications | Certifies safety compliance for research grants? | ORS provides signed safety certifications to faculty, staff, and students from labs in good standing. If there is an environmental compliance section (e.g., waste handled correctly), ORS will forward the document to EHS who will certify the waste section. | ORS |
| Air Quality | Assists with indoor air quality issues related to laboratory activities? | If it is a general building issue (e.g., not related to lab odor/process), contact the facility manager who will work with the proper engineering group. If the issue is related to a lab activity, ORS will work with the PI/ lab personnel to identify the source the issue. | Fac Mgr, ORS |
| Air Quality | Assists with indoor air quality issues related to construction, maintenance or non-lab related activities in University buildings? | Contact the facility manager who will work with the proper engineering group for nuisance issues (e.g., food odors, dry drain traps). If the issue is causing health concerns, the engineering group will reach out to EHS to assist with the investigation. | Fac Mgr, EHS |
| Fire Extinguishers | Assists with determining the type of fire extinguisher required inside the lab? | Contact ORS to determine the type of fire extinguishers appropriate for your laboratory. Laboratories typically require a Class ABC or Class BC extinguisher. Labs that use flammable metals require a Class D extinguisher. Be prepared to notify ORS of the types of hazards present within your lab. | ORS |
| Fire Extinguishers | Assists with determining the type of fire extinguisher required in non-lab areas? | The fire extinguishers throughout campus in non-lab areas were selected based on the potential fire class that could occur. Office spaces and mechanical rooms typically require a Class ABC or Class BC extinguisher. If the hazards change in your area, contact EHS to ensure proper extinguisher selection. | EHS |
| Emergencies | Announces the all-clear authorization following any evacuation (e.g., fire, drill, spill)? | The local fire department or EHS are responsible for announcing the all clear authorization following any evacuation. They may consult with other University service departments on safety related matters prior to allowing occupants back into the building. If the evacuation is related to a lab activity, ORS may provide the all clear authorization. | EHS, ORS, FS |
In the event of an emergency, please call 123 from any campus phone or 773.702.8181