Move Manual: Appendix F	Return to Table of Contents

Checklist for Biohazardous Materials

Old Space Deactivation

Prepare medical waste for disposal according to campus requirements and take it to a medical waste pickup location. For a list of locations and complete procedures, refer to the EH&S Fact Sheet, “Managing and Disposing of Medical Waste.” If there is no location near you, call EH&S for a pickup.

Identify equipment that could be contaminated with biohazardous materials, including biological safety cabinets, refrigerators, and freezers. Contact EH&S for proper decontamination and clearance procedures prior to moving or disposing of the equipment.

Contact the Biosafety Officer at EH&S to report that you will no longer be using biohazardous materials at this location.

Move Preparation

Your laboratory's Biological Use Authorization (BUA) must be amended to reflect your new location. Contact EH&S at 642-3073 to begin this process.

If you are moving to an off-campus location and need to ship biohazardous items, contact EH&S as early as possible to make the necessary arrangements.

Packing and Transportation

Biological materials, including all etiologic agents, human and animal tissues, blood, blood products, other body fluids, and excreta, must be packaged in both primary and leak–proof secondary containers.

Primary containers (e.g., test tubes, Vacutainers®, IV bags, culture flasks, etc.) must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage. Avoid contamination of the container's exterior. Surround the primary container with absorbent packing material.

For secondary containers, choose rigid, sealable, and break-resistant containers such as Nalgene biotransporters, Tupperware, or plastic mailing tubes.

Label primary and secondary containers with the universal biohazard symbol, the type of material, and the name and phone number of the Principal Investigator. Labels should be legible and indelible.

Note that dry ice is a Department of Transportation–regulated hazardous material; contact EH&S for guidance when using dry ice to transport materials off campus.

After packing all biohazardous materials, disinfect all potentially contaminated surfaces in the laboratory with an appropriate disinfectant. Contact EH&S to arrange decontamination and clearance of biological safety cabinets.

In Your New Space

Ensure that your BUA has been amended to reflect your new location prior to starting research. Contact the Biosafety Officer to schedule an inspection prior to starting biohazard work.

Label the new room with the universal biohazard symbol on the exterior door and in the areas where the biohazardous work will be performed.

Provide a labeled sharps container for contaminated broken glass and needles.

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