• Notify EH&S  prior to closing, vacating, relocating, or renovating a laboratory. Thirty (30) days advance notice is requested.
• Ensure chemicals are handled safely in accordance with the UF General Chemical Hygiene Plan and the lab-specific Chemical Hygiene Plan.
• Ensure employees are instructed on hazards, follow proper procedures, and utilize protective equipment provided during their work as detailed in written plans and SOPs.
• Close out or amend with the new UF location, any permits, licenses, or registrations (e.g. radiation or laser use authorizations, Biosafety/IBC registered biohazard projects, USDA or CDC permits, DEA licenses, IACUC or IRB protocols, etc).
• Appropriately decontaminate any potentially contaminated surfaces or equipment.
• Appropriately remove all chemical, biological and radiological materials and/or hazards and non-fixed equipment. Contact EH&S as indicated in the procedures below for assistance.
• If contamination or hazards are identified by EH&S personnel upon lab close out, the PI/Lab Director will be responsible for removing these hazards.

• In the absence of the PI/Laboratory Director, notify EH&S prior to closing, vacating, relocating, or renovating a laboratory.
• Responsible for all deficiencies not corrected by the PI/Laboratory Director.

• Advise PI/Laboratory Director of precautions to be taken during transfer of biological, chemical and radioactive materials. Provide other guidance as needed.
• Conduct radioactive stock material transfers, if transfers involve movement of such materials between unconnected buildings.
• When contacted by a lab for hazardous waste removal, schedule a waste pick up for the laboratory. EH&S will provide packaging materials for waste collection.
• When contacted for a laboratory closeout survey, verify all close-out activities have been completed appropriately. If contamination or hazards are identified, EH& S will notify the PI/Laboratory Director. The PI/Laboratory Director and Department Chair will be notified by EH&S once the close out process is complete and verified.

• Dispose of unwanted biological materials per the Biological Waste Disposal Policy.
• Tissues/specimens in liquid preservatives require that the tissue and liquid be separated and the liquid disposed of as a hazardous (chemical) waste through EH&S. The preservative may not be poured down the drain.
• If any biological materials that do not require registration with the Biosafety Office need to be saved, locate the appropriate person to take responsibility for the material and notify the Department Chair.
• Note that Biosafety/IBC registered projects must be closed out with the Biosafety Office. Contact Biosafety at BSO@ehs.ufl.eduto ensure the change is made in EH&S’ Gator TRACS
• Biological materials associated with registered projects must be
  • properly inactivated and disposed of before departure, or
  • shipped to another institution, or
  • transferred to another UF PI who is, or can be, registered with the Biosafety/IBC for these materials.

Transporting Biological Materials

Please refer to the Biological Materials Transport Policy below for requirements and guidelines.

• Hazardous Waste Labels (both small and large sizes) are available from Hazardous Materials Management: HWM@ehs.ufl.edu 352-392-8400
• EH&S Chemical Waste and Radioactive Waste Pickup Request Forms are online forms that require a GatorLink ID login.

• All equipment must be in a condition that is clean and safe for handling.
• Equipment that is or may be contaminated with a chemical, biological, radioactive or other hazardous material must be decontaminated before it is moved, disposed of/surveyed out of UF’s asset inventory, shipped offsite, or repaired.
  • This will include, but is not limited to fume hoods, refrigerators, freezers, centrifuges, biological safety cabinets, incubators, ovens, etc.
• Document this decontamination on an EH&S Equipment Decontamination Form (multiple pieces of similar equipment may be included on one form).
  • The signature of the person decontaminating the equipment as well as the PI or Dept. Chair is required.
  • Email the signed form to researchsafety@ehs.ufl.edu or Fax to 352-392-3647.
  • EH&S Research Safety will review the form to ensure the decontamination method used is appropriate and will then sign the form. The signed form will be returned to the sender.
  • The completed form is then affixed to the equipment.
  • Proceed with repair, move, pick up, etc.
• If the equipment is to be disposed of through MyAssets, upload the fully signed form into the MyAssets web portal as part of the pickup request for surplus property.

Note that Biosafety Cabinets (BSCs, biosafety “hoods”) used with biohazards must be professionally decontaminated with gas/vapor before moving, surveying out/disposing of, or repair of contaminated plenums within the cabinet. Contact the vendor (e.g. Precision Air Technologies at 352-332-4653) to decontaminate this equipment before submitting the EH&S Equipment Decontamination Form to the Research Safety Office.

• Please see the instructions on “Clean Lab Ware Disposal” regarding the disposal of clean, non-contaminated laboratory items.
• Clean, non-contaminated supplies (lab glassware, plastic ware, unused gloves, etc.) may also be given to other researchers for use.

All shared space (labs, equipment rooms, storage areas, cold rooms, dark rooms, autoclave rooms, etc.) must be cleared of materials and cleaned by the departing staff. Otherwise, the Department Chair or another PI must assume responsibility for the space and its contents.

• Research Safety: Researchsafety@ehs.ufl.edu 352-392-1591
• Chemical and Lab Safety: Labsafety@ehs.ufl.edu  352-392-1591
• Biological Safety: BSO@ehs.ufl.edu  325-392-1591
• Radiation Safety: RSO@ehs.ufl.edu  352-392-7359 or 352-392-1589
• Hazardous Materials Management: HWM@ehs.ufl.edu  352-392-8400

Purpose

To ensure the safe handling and movement of research chemicals from lab to lab and building to building within campus. This does not affect the movement of new chemicals being delivered.
Effective Date: September 1995, Revised February 2020
General Requirement for Transport

Departmental staff may move chemical bottles from one laboratory to another laboratory within campus if the following conditions are met:

• Staff who will be moving the bottles must be trained in the proper handling of chemicals.
• Chemical bottles and containers must be in good condition and adequately labeled.
• Chemical bottles or containers are adequately labeled.
• It is recommended that leak proof tubs be used to move liquids, but cardboard boxes may be used if they are in good condition and are sturdy enough to handle weight of the bottles of chemicals.
• Boxes are not excessively large to prohibit overloading or safe handling.
• Bottles of chemicals must be segregated and packed into boxes by hazard class. Non-compatible chemicals may not be packed or moved in the same box. (call EH&S for further information.)
• Glass bottles and all bottles containing liquids must  be packed in boxes with a buffer of vermiculite or other similar absorbent material. Plastic or unbreakable bottles of powdered or non-liquid chemicals may be packed with compatible chemicals, without absorbent material.
• Each box of chemicals will be inventoried for contents as it is being packed. Required information will include chemical name, number of bottles and volume/weight in each.
• Boxes must be labeled distinctly with the corresponding inventory page.
• Copies of the inventory must be kept in each box, with the moving crew and in the originating lab until the transfer is complete.
• The preferred transport method is a sturdy handcart with a lip on four sides to prevent boxes/tubs from sliding off. Cart(s) used to move boxes/tubs must be sturdy enough to handle weight of the boxes and terrain it will be moved over.

• With the written approval of a transport plan submitted to the EHS Hazardous Materials Management Office (HWM@ehs.ufl.edu 352-392-8400), chemicals may be moved by state vehicle only.
  • Chemicals may not be transported by personal vehicle or public transport due to insurance liabilities.
  • Chemicals may not be transported in the passenger compartment of the state vehicle.
  • Additional federal transport regulations apply for transport over public roads.

• Adequate personal protective equipment and spill control material must be available in the event of a spill. Staff must be trained in the proper method of use.
• Any compressed gas cylinder being moved must be secured on a cart or rack. Small lecture bottles must be packed as bottles (see above).

EH&S must be notified of the movement of these chemicals prior to the start and at the completion of the move. Once notified, EH&S will complete the transfer of chemicals from the originating lab’s chemical inventory to the receiving lab’s chemical inventory.

If the above procedures cannot be met by the department(s) involved with the moving of these chemicals, contact the EH&S Office at 352-392-1591 for assistance.

Purpose

To prevent accidents and to ensure that UF personnel, property, and the environment are not exposed to biological materials during their transport from lab to lab and building to building within campus. It is intended to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines and regulations concerning the transport of biological materials.
Effective Date: September 1995, Revised February 2020

General requirements for transport of biological materials within the UF campus

• Personnel transporting biological materials shall be appropriately trained, including on how to handle spills. This includes Bloodborne Pathogen training for those transporting human blood, and training specific to the biohazard being moved.

• The preferred transport method is to use a clean, leak-proof cart with a lip on four sides to prevent containers from sliding off and to contain any potential spills. The materials themselves must be in sealed containers, clearly labeled with the contents and applicable hazard(s).
• If hand-carried or transported on a cart that does not meet the above requirements, the container must be sealed, clearly labeled as above, and packaged within ANOTHER tightly sealed, clean, leak-proof, shatter-proof container (double containment) OR packaged as it was when first shipped to the laboratory.

• For infectious and/or biohazardous material:
  • Double contain the items in plastic leak-proof containers within sturdy outer packaging. Include absorbent material within the containers as well as padding to minimize movement of the container(s) within the outer packaging.
  • Wipe the outer container with an appropriate disinfectant before removing it from the laboratory and apply a biohazard sticker. Put the laboratory name and contact information on the package.
• Biological materials shall be transported from laboratory to laboratory without any stops in public areas such as offices, cafeterias, or restrooms. Limit transport through public or highly-traveled areas and use freight elevators when possible.
• If a vehicle must be used, contact the EH&S Biosafety Office for instructions. Note that materials classified by the US Dept. of Transportation as dangerous goods or hazardous materials may not to be transported in a personal vehicle or public transportation. This is both a safety and liability issue.