The Environmental Safety Officer responds to concerns about indoor air quality, conducts safety inspections of laboratories and support areas, provides fire safety services, manages hazardous materials inventories for proper disposal, provides emergency response for hazardous materials incidents / accidents (spills), and provides lab safety training.
Federal, state, and local governments impose strict regulations concerning the management, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials. Compliance with these laws, good safety practices, and the necessity to avoid future liabilities, dictate that the Institute take a conservative approach in handling this material.
The term "hazardous waste" means any substance no longer of use to the possessor whose chemical or biological properties does, or may, endanger personnel, material, or the environment if handled improperly. Hazardous waste includes, but is not limited to items specifically identified as "hazardous waste" under federal and state statutes. If a question exists on how waste should be handled, either contact the EHS (Environmental Health and Safety) department or assume it to be hazardous.
EHS is charged with ensuring that all hazardous waste generated at North Carolina A & T is handled properly. Within specific activities, EHS will provide advice and technical assistance. However, it is the responsibility of each Lab manager and/or worker to know the possible dangers associated with any material being used or generated, and to know how the material should be handled and disposed of “BEFORE A PROJECT OR LAB ACTIVITY HAS BEGUN.’
Government regulations and cost effectiveness require that as little hazardous waste be generated as possible. The following guidelines are a checklist to accomplish waste minimization - they are not intended to restrict activities:
To the extent feasible, waste should be segregated and not combined. Mixing of different type wastes poses dangers, and difficulty in disposal.
It is the responsibility of the department or lab generating the activity to provide suitable waste containers for waste accumulation prior to pick-up.
Waste containers must be compatible with the waste collected, kept closed unless material is being added, capable of being transported, and appropriately labeled.
Waste collection containers must be clearly labeled with:
Before the material is picked-up the following must be on the label:
Containers of excess materials, with the manufacturers' original label, need not be re-labeled; unless, the manufacturers' label does not identify the contents by chemical name. In such a case the activity must appropriately label the container.
Used sharps and/or needles that have been contaminated with potentially pathogenic or infectious materials will be collected in puncture proof containers (i.e., sharps containers).
All biological/infectious waste (including sharps containers) will be placed in approved "RED" biohazard bags; the bag will be sealed with tape and placed in an approved bio-hazard box, which will also be sealed. Pick up’s will be coordinated through the EHS office by the Environmental Safety Officer.
Each Lab manager should expect and be prepared to deal with "routine spills” of materials.
Absorbents and/or contaminated material from such incidents will be collected in an appropriate container and disposed of in the same manner as other hazardous chemical waste.
If a spill is beyond the capability of the individual, contact EHS 334 -7992, or Campus Police 334-7675 after normal working hours.
EHS is responsible for picking up hazardous waste from individual activities. Notify EHS with the type, amount, location, contact person, and phone number (see Hazardous Waste Inventory and Disposal Form). Typically, EHS will arrange for direct contractor pickups at these locations. EHS will respond to telephonic, e-mail, faxed, or written requests on the correct form.
Environmental Safety Officer: Louisa V. Rosario 334-7992