Environmental and Waste Management Safety Program

Environmental and Waste Management establishes practices for safely managing laboratory waste and minimizing environmental impacts associated with laboratory operations. The program addresses identification, collection, segregation, labeling, storage, handling, and disposal of chemical, biological, hazardous, and other laboratory wastes. Employees must understand applicable waste procedures and keep incompatible materials separated, containers properly labeled and closed, and waste accumulation areas clean and orderly.

Laboratory personnel should minimize waste generation whenever practical and prevent chemicals, oils, hazardous materials, or other prohibited wastes from entering drains, ordinary trash, or the environment. Proper spill prevention and response, secondary containment, routine inspections, and timely removal of accumulated waste help reduce exposures, releases, fires, reactions, and environmental contamination. Training and appropriate documentation help ensure laboratory wastes are managed safely and in accordance with applicable requirements.