Laboratory Close-Out Procedures

Departing researchers and staff responsible for laboratories should go through a laboratory check out process to ensure that hazardous substances and regulated materials in their labs are properly managed upon departure. It is the responsibility of department heads to ensure this process is conducted during planning of, or upon separation of faculty and student researchers. A similar process should be employed when academic laboratory programs end.

Use the Laboratory Closeout form to aid in ensuring research and laboratories are properly decommissioned. The executed form serves as documentation that a formal process was completed and may aid in obtaining support services such as cleaning, renovation, equipment removal and moving services.

Chemicals left unmanaged can become unstable and potentially dangerous, posing a risk of personnel exposure, fire or explosion. Equipment may contain hazardous materials or radiological sources, which are regulated and must be properly managed for disposal. Animals may not be left un-tended. Review the Laboratory Closeout form for guidance.

Laboratory Chemical Cleanouts

Departments are responsible for ensuring laboratory chemicals are properly disposed through EHS. Chemical cleanouts should be done by the laboratory manager, principal investigator or researcher leaving the university. This will maximize the safety of KSU faculty and staff and ensure accurate and complete labeling of chemicals. When the responsible faculty/staff is not available the department head is responsible for ensuring chemicals are properly identified and disposed. Costs for handling unknown or improperly managed chemicals may be charged to the responsible department so it is important to address laboratory chemicals promptly to avoid costs and hazardous conditions.

A laboratory cleanout is defined as the removal of a large number of chemicals (greater than 30). A cleanout can be the result of:

1. a researcher retiring from the University
2. a researcher moving to another laboratory or University
3. completion of graduate study or other research
4. end of academic lab activities
5. moving lab activities to a new location
6. construction activities within the laboratory
7. numerous excess or expired chemicals need to be removed from the lab

Procedure

Complete the Lab Cleanout form two months prior to needing disposal of chemicals. The form includes contact information for the lab and an inventory of all chemicals to be picked up. This should be done by the faculty or researcher assigned to the lab.

EHS will schedule a review and sorting date and a pickup date for all chemicals.