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Hazardous Waste Labeling
SJSU has its own hazardous waste label which must be affixed to each waste
container at the time when waste is first accumulated. This label is very
important in helping Risk Management/ Environmental Health & Safety
determine which method of disposal is appropriate. No unlabeled containers
will be accepted for disposal.
The following information is required on all labels:
a) GENERATOR
INFORMATION: the Department's container ID number, the name of a contact
person, a phone number for that person, the location of the waste, and the
accumulation start date.
b) GENERAL
DESCRIPTION/CONTENTS: specific chemical name(s) (a must), concentration, and
approximate percentage (if part of a mixture).
c) PHYSICAL STATE:,
i.e. liquid or solid.
d) pH number (if
known and/or applicable).
e) PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
which might help characterize the waste, e.g. flammable, corrosive, toxic, etc.
Hazardous Waste Label Form
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Segregation & Secondary Containment
Generally, separate liquids from solids.
USE COMPATIBILITY RULES:
1) Separate acidic chemicals from basic
chemicals according to pH.
2) Separate oxidizers from organic chemicals
and inorganic reducing agents. (Remember the Fire Triangle).
3) Separate water reactive chemicals from
aqueous solutions.
4) Separate chemicals with multiple hazards
from all other chemicals.
Try to keep all liquid chemicals in secondary
containment when not in use.
When transporting chemicals from one room to another
PLEASE use a chemical safety bucket.
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Waste Program Q & A
Q: How should I obtain the
chemicals that I need for my project?
A: If they are not available in
your lab, submit a chemical request to the Biology Service Center
(4-4920). If small quantities are needed, provide suitable containers
with appropriate labels.
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Q: Once I have obtained the
chemicals I need, how should they be stored?
A:
According to a few simple rules of chemical compatibility, with
proper documentation for the sake of others in your facility.
1) Separate acidic chemicals from basic
chemicals (segregation according to pH).
2) Separate Oxidizers from organic chemicals
and inorganic
reducing agents (Remember
the Fire
Triangle).
3) Separate water reactive chemicals from
aqueous
solutions.
4) Separate chemicals with multiple hazards from
all other
chemicals.
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Q: What documentation do I need?
A: Post a list of the materials
that you use and have in storage on or near the shelves and cupboards assigned
to you. Or, if you share chemicals in a lab with others, update the lab's
chemical inventory list when you add new chemicals.
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Q: What do I do in an emergency or
chemical spill situation?
A: 1)
Know who to call in an emergency: Instructor
(
), Trained personnel in the College
(924-4875, 924-5004 or 924-4920). In a medical
emergency, fire or other
life-threatening
situation, call 911.
2) Avoid accidents by
using proper procedures
and guidelines.
3) Become familiar with
the emergency and
protective equipment
available in your
laboratory before you
begin your project.
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Q: What do I do when I'm
finished with a chemical, have an empty container or need to dispose of waste?
A: Return, Rinse/Reuse, and Dispose
1) RETURN unused or unusable
chemicals.
2) RINSE and REUSE empty containers.
3) Proper WASTE DISPOSAL.
a) Obtain a suitable container and attach
a label.
b) Learn what chemicals MUST be
disposed of in a waste container.
c) Write down the name of the chemical(s),
the volume and the concentration(s)
EACH TIME YOU ADD A CHEMICAL
to the waste bottle.
d) Use the compatibility rules to ensure
that you add only compatible
chemicals to the same bottle!
e) Start a new bottle each time you discard
a new compatibility group or when a
bottle is 90% filled.
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