Lab Equipment Decontamination Protocol
- Departments must identify equipment desired for release by creating a list for Equipment Management (contact: betshelp@berkeley.edu).
- Department equipment listings must provide a BETS #, Serial #, building and room number of the equipment intended for release. Departments must also include: equipment history, associated chemical use, biological use or radiation use authorizations - where applicable.
- Verify and update equipment building, room and description to match BETS records.
Departments must provide a complete list to Equipment Management.
- Ensure the correct room numbers, location descriptions, equipment type, model numbers, serial numbers are accurate.
- Departments have three options for releasing unwanted equipment:
- Give away or sharing with other labs, colleagues, departments – may require updating licenses or authorizations.
- Releasing to Surplus for resale – requires decontamination by lab/researcher or EH&S selected contractor.
- Disposal and/or recycling – hazardous waste or decontamination charges may apply.
Each of these options will require documentation with the EH&S' Facilities/Equipment Decontamination Clearance Certification.
NOTE: Email completed forms to hwp@berkeley.edu
- EH&S must evaluate all equipment for potential hazards, chemical residues and proper decontamination needs. EH&S must also identify if chemical use/history, BUAs or RUAs are applicable.
- If selected equipment is intended for resale or disposal, any associated licenses/authorizations and asset numbers should be properly closed (BETS, RUAs, BUAs, LUAs, etc.). Lab and shop equipment must be cleared and labeled by EH&S before it can be released from campus.
- Equipment Management verifies clearance of the listed items with Surplus, Moving Services, EH&S and department representatives prior to final removal.
- Surplus is not allowed to pick-up or collect lab equipment that does not have the EH&S certification form and decontamination labels attached to the equipment. See example below:
Examples of Lab Equipment Requiring Decontamination Certification by EH&S:
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Analytical instrumentation
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Benchtops or counters
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Biosafety cabinets
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Centrifuges
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Chemical storage cabinets/shelves
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Fumehoods
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Glassware
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Gloveboxes
Demolition Process Overview and Waste Handling
Preliminary Planning
| Step 1 | Contact Facilities | Facilities will survey building for hazardous components within building construction surfaces: Asbestos, Lead, Insulation, Drywall, Caulking, Flooring, Light Ballasts/Tubes, Thermostats, Exit Signs, Etc. |
| Contact EH&S | EH&S will assist in evaluating building history and potential for Radioactivity, Biological Use, Mercury, Chemical Residues: Soils, Ventilation, Hydraulic Systems, Vacuums,Transformers, Oil-filled Equipment, Etc. |
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| Step 2 | Complete Building/Work Hazard Assessment with EH&S | EH&S completes a checklist for Project Managers based on conceptual scope of work. EH&S summarizes potential hazards for PM and contractor notification. |
| Step 3 | Identify Hazards with contractor | Use EH&S Hazard Assessment Checklist and relative specifications. |
| Identify Operation Controls | Communicate contractor expectations based on Hazards and Environmental impacts: SWPPP, Dust Control, Traffic Controls, Protective Equipment, Secondary Containment, Spill Kits, Etc. |
During the Course of Abatement/Renovation
| Hazardous Waste Signatures and Disposal | |
| Facilities – Asbestos Control Office | Facilities can only sign for select hazardous wastes such as lead and asbestos contamination, and non-hazardous wastes. |
| EH&S | EH&S will need to sign all other hazardous waste manifests and ‘Special Wastes’ profiles, including soil, petroleum/oils, all lab or shop wastes, PCBs, Mercury, along with lead and asbestos. |