SECTION I - SECTION II - SECTION III - SECTION IV - SECTION V (APPENDICES)
III.Cover | III.A | III.B | III.C | III.D | III.E | III.F

Section III.E: Facility Services

E. Facility Services

1. Custodial Services
2. Solid Waste Collection and Disposal
3. Maintenance and Construction Activities in Laboratories
4. Disposal of Contaminated Equipment Systems

Part C of the General Occupational Health Standards addresses hazard communication in multi-employer workplaces. Service department employees who perform services in laboratories at WSU must be informed of the hazards they may encounter in laboratory workspaces. Similarly, laboratory employees must be informed of hazards which may be caused by service employees performing operations in the laboratory. (Policy Reference - WAC 296-800-170).

Service departments at Washington State University must comply with provisions of the Employee Chemical Hazard Communication Standard (WAC 296-800-170). Prior to the time a service employee performs service duties in a laboratory, the service employee's supervisor must obtain information about the laboratory's labeling system and the accessibility of hazard information (e.g. MSDSs) for hazardous chemical substances which may present a danger to the service employee working in the laboratory. The supervisor must inform his/her employee of hazards present, and how they can be avoided.

Prior to the time a service department employee uses chemicals (e.g. cleaning chemicals) in the laboratory which may present a health risk to laboratory employees, the laboratory supervisor or Principal Investigator (PI) must obtain information from the service department regarding the service department's labeling system and the accessibility of hazard information (e.g. MSDSs) , for hazardous chemicals which may present a danger to the laboratory employee. The laboratory supervisor or PI must inform the laboratory employee of hazards present, and how they can be avoided.

1. Custodial Services

   Custodians may perform services in laboratories which include floor sweeping, mopping and waxing. Custodians performing services in laboratories after-hours may encounter spilled or released hazardous chemicals, radioactive materials, or biohazardous materials. Custodial employees are never required to come into contact with such materials.
   
   

   1. If a custodian observes what appears to be spilled or released hazardous material, the following should be done:
      
      
      • The custodian should immediately leave the area and contact his/her supervisor. Information about the release is provided to the custodial supervisor.
        
        
      • The custodian's supervisor investigates the spill/release circumstance, and makes a decision concerning one of three courses of action:
        
        
        • If the spilled /released material appears not to be immediately dangerous or life-threatening, the custodial supervisor should contact the emergency contact (PI or lab supervisor) listed on the laboratory door. From information provided by the emergency contact, the custodial supervisor can make a decision about the continued work activity of the custodial employee in the area.
          
          If no emergency laboratory contact can be reached, and if there is any possibility that dangerous exposure to people may be possible or that university property may be damaged the custodial supervisor calls 911 and reports the information to the Fire/Police dispatcher. The custodial supervisor then places the following notice on all laboratory doors leading directly into the laboratory.
          
          

          When 911 is called by the custodial supervisor the Fire/Police dispatcher collects as much information as possible. Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) and/or WSU Fire Services responders are located and sent to the location. Whenever response personnel arrive at the suspected spill/release site, an evaluation is made about any potentially dangerous conditions.
          
          

          • If EH&S responds to the spill and finds dangerous conditions, the door is posted with the danger notice or barricade-taped, as per SOP. EH&S then arranges for containment and/or cleanup of the spilled/released material. After the spill is properly managed, a notice is placed on the door indicating the room is released for normal work practices. The main office of Facilities Operations custodial services is contacted by telephone and informed of the release of work space.
            
            
          • If EH&S responds to the spill and finds no dangerous conditions, a notice is placed on the door indicating the room is released for normal work practices (including laboratory, custodial, maintenance, etc.). The main office Facilities Operations custodial services is contacted by telephone and informed of the release of work space.
            
            
          • If WSU Fire Services responds to the spill, the area is secured by Fire Services personnel until the arrival of EH&S spill/release evaluators.
            
            
        • If satisfactory information provided by the laboratory emergency contact is received by the custodial supervisor, demonstrating that the spilled/released material is not dangerous or damaging, the custodial supervisor locks the laboratory door and leaves a message concerning the released material. Laboratory employees can manage the non-dangerous spilled material the following work day. Custodial employees are never required to clean up any spilled or released laboratory hazardous chemical material.
          
          
   2. Custodians may perform the removal of trash from the laboratory trash receptacles. If a custodian suspects the presence of improperly disposed waste material in the trash, he/she immediately informs the custodial supervisor. The custodial supervisor determines whether the trash may be safely removed. If the custodial supervisor suspects improper disposal practices, the trash is left in place, and the following notice is placed on the laboratory door. A copy of the notice is sent to Environmental Health & Safety the following work day. Laboratory personnel must properly dispose of the material the following work day.
      
      

      Notice of Improper Disposal Practices Washington State University Facilities Operations Custodial Services Division ATTENTION: LABORATORY PERSONNEL YOUR WASTE WAS NOT COLLECTED BY THE CUSTODIAN ON THIS ROUTE FOR THE FOLLOWING REASON(S): ____ Radiation sign appears on or in waste container. ____ "Sharps" present in regular waste container (e.g., needles), not in a Horizontal Entry Sharps Container. ____ Trash contains glass which is not double-boxed in cardboard boxes. ____ Biohazard symbol appears in or on container. ____ Blood or blood soaked items in regular waste, not in biohazard box. ____ Dead animals or animal parts in waste. ____ Unapproved animal bedding and waste in regular waste, not in biohazard box. ____ Unknown powder or loose liquid in waste container. ____ Empty chemical bottles not rinsed clean and uncapped for collection. Note: Triple rinse is only required on Environmental Hazardous Waste. Other: _________________________________________________________ Building and Room No. of Problem:___________________________________ Custodial Supervisor:_____________________________________________ FOR PROPER WASTE DISPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS REFER TO THE WSU SAFETY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL, REFER TO ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (EH&S) WEBSITE AT www.ehs.wsu.edu, OR CONTACT EH&S AT 335-3041. Forward copy to Environmental Health and Safety, Zip 1172.

      
      
2. Solid Waste Collection and Disposal
   
   Materials and Resource Management periodically find materials in the solid waste receptacles or dumpsters which are suspected to be regulated as hazardous chemical waste, radioactive waste, or pathological/biohazardous waste materials.
   
   
   1. If a personnel observe materials present in the solid waste collection system believed to be hazardous, contact Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) at 335-3041. Do NOT remove the material from the dumpster or receptacle.
      
      
   2. Personnel from EH&S coordinate with Principal Investigators (PIs) and/or laboratory supervisors to determine the source of the material, and determine if the material is illegally or inappropriately disposed of in the solid waste receptacle. PIs and/or laboratory supervisors are responsible for removal and proper disposal of any materials illegally or improperly disposed of through the solid waste management system.
      
      
3. Maintenance / Construction Activities in Laboratories
   
   Maintenance / construction personnel perform many services in laboratories. Installation and/or modification of ventilation systems, or equipment requiring plumbing, electrical, or gas service may involve Facilities Operations or other contractor shop personnel. Occasionally, floors, walls, lab benches, or other structures which may be contaminated by chemical, biological and radioactive hazards in the laboratory must be removed, remodeled, or repaired by carpentry or other shop personnel. These personnel must be protected from exposure to hazardous substances when they are working in laboratories.
   
   
   Facilities Operations or other contractor shop personnel may use chemical or other hazardous substances in their work in laboratories. Paints and lacquers, adhesives, sealants, and other volatile chemicals may be used by shop or contract workers. Laboratory workers must be protected from exposure to chemicals which are used by maintenance / construction personnel.
   
   
   The performance of maintenance and construction activities in laboratory facilities creates special safety and research considerations; therefore, operating procedures have been developed to coordinate construction and maintenance work occurring in WSU laboratories. In general, the purpose of the procedures is to assure construction and maintenance work conducted in laboratories is performed in a safe and timely manner with minimal interruption of research. Specifically, the goals of the procedures are as follows:
   
   
   1. Protect research during construction or maintenance activities (e.g., utility interruptions);
      
   
   
   2. Promote safer and more efficient maintenance and construction activities in laboratories;
      
   
   
   3. Protect maintenance and construction personnel from the chemical, biological, and radiological hazards found in laboratories; and
      
   
   
   4. Protect laboratory personnel from the potential hazards associated with maintenance and construction activities.
      
   
   The detailed procedures are located in Appendices N . The “Work Permit” and “CAUTION SIGN” are located in Appendices O.
   
   
   These procedures are to be followed when laboratory personnel request Facilities Operations perform maintenance and construction activities in laboratories. The procedures do not have to be followed when routine custodial services are being conducted in WSU laboratories or in dry laboratories (e.g., computer labs).
   
   
4. Disposal of Contaminated Equipment/Systems
   
   Occasionally, old equipment, benches, ventilation hoods, ductwork, and/or parts of gas, plumbing, or other services are removed from laboratories. Equipment such as refrigerators or freezers, fume hoods, etc. may be disposed of through the University scrap metal salvaging system. Laboratory work benches, plumbing waste line fixtures, flooring, and other laboratory surface structures may be disposed of as solid waste.
   
   There are several reasons for certifying that equipment used in shops and laboratories is not contaminated with biological, chemical, or radioactive contaminants. Protecting the safety and health of WSU staff, faculty, and students as they handle the equipment is essential. WSU also strives to protect the environment by properly managing contaminated wastes in accordance with environmental regulations.
   
   
   1. Equipment (such as refrigerators, fume hoods, centrifuges, autoclaves, etc.) used in laboratories, shops, and other areas of the university can become contaminated with biological, chemical, or radioactive materials. The equipment must be decontaminated where reasonable and practical. If decontamination is not reasonable and practical, protective clothing and/or engineering controls must be identified which will adequately protect workers who must handle the equipment. The equipment must also be labeled to warn others of the contamination. If it is contaminated with human blood, the equipment must be managed according to the provisions of the WSU Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan.
      
      Occasionally, fume hoods, refrigerators, and other similar devices may be used for storage of hazardous chemical, radiological, or biological substances. These materials must be removed from the equipment prior to the time the equipment is serviced or removed by service or maintenance employees. Adequate temporary storage for hazardous materials removed form hoods or other equipment must be provided and used so that workers are not put at risk.
      
      The following form is provided to assist laboratory, staff, and maintenance personnel with documentation on how these concerns are addressed in a cooperative manner. It is the responsibility of the owners/users of contaminated laboratory or shop equipment to decontaminate such equipment and certify that it has been properly decontaminated prior to releasing it for maintenance, salvage, or disposal. If it is impractical to decontaminate the equipment, proper personal protective equipment must be used by maintenance personnel and the contaminated waste must be properly labeled and managed. Contact Environmental Health & Safety at 335-3041 for additional information or guidance.
      
      

      CERTIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT DECONTAMINATION Description of Equipment: Location of Equipment Use: Identification of Hazardous Substances Used in or on the Equipment (Chemical), Biological, Radioactive): Method for Decontaminating Equipment: If impractical to decontaminate, briefly explain why. Describe personal protective equipment which will protect Equipment Service/Maintenance Personnel: Method for disposing of contaminated equipment: The equipment described above has been decontaminated or personal protective equipment and any contaminated equipment will be disposed of properly has been identified cooperatively between the undersigned. (Equipment Owner/User) (Equipment Service/Maintenance Employee)

      
      
   2. Remodeling or demolition activities: Plumbing waste line fixtures may be contaminated if hazardous materials are disposed of by dumping down drains. Ventilation ductwork, filters, etc., and other service systems or surfaces which are removed during remodeling or demolition activity may be contaminated by spills or release of hazardous materials. The laboratory supervisor or PI must
      
      
      • certify that handling of the material by Facilities Operations shop and/or other contract workers will not result in illness or injury due to exposure to hazardous chemical, radioactive, or biohazard materials, and will not result in violation of hazardous materials disposal laws and regulations, or
      
      
      
      • provide information to Facilities Operations and/or other contract employees which will identify safe handling procedures, and will identify proper protective clothing and devices.