To have hazardous waste picked up, please fill out the Hazardous Waste Pickup Form
Chemical Safety Policies and Procedures
The primary purpose of the East Tennessee State University Chemical and Lab Safety is to protect employees and to reduce the risk of injury from chemical hazards associated with particular laboratories. This is accomplished by establishing responsibilities, policies and procedures for handling hazardous chemicals and through the development and implementation of work practices and control measures expressly tailored to the various laboratories present at the University.
- Laboratory Chemical Fume Hoods Policy
- Hazardous Waste Management Policy
- Laboratory Glassware Disposal Policy
- Lab Safety Inspection Policy
- Management of Peroxide Forming Chemical Policy
- Mercury Management Plan
- Refrigerant Management Plan
- Chemical Segregation Table
- Laboratory Closeout Policy
Working with Hazardous Substances
Although many chemicals are found in research laboratories, some are housed in other buildings on campus.
Employees who work with hazardous substances should know the following:
- The hazards associated with the chemicals.
- Acute and chronic health effects of overexposure.
- Methods of protections (e.g. ventilation, gloves).
- What to do in an emergency.
- Proper disposal of the chemicals.
East Tennessee State University is committed to providing a safe laboratory environment for its faculty, staff, students and visitors. The goal of the Environmental Health and Safety program is to minimize the risk of injury or illness to laboratory workers by ensuring that they have the training, information, support and equipment needed to work safely in the laboratory setting.
What to Do If There Is a Chemical Spill
Evacuate
Leave spill area immediately
Remove personnel from danger of spill
Alert other building occupants
Confine
Block area to unnecessary personnel
Use doors to contain vapors
Shutdown ventilation systems where possible
Use hood to exhaust vapors
Notify
ETSU Police Department by dialing 911 or 9-4480
Facilities Management at 9-7900
Environmental Health and Safety at 9-6028
Safety Data Sheets
Every chemical must have a Safety Data Sheet (SDS). In fact, one must be provided to an employee upon request during the shift. All employees who work with hazardous substances must be able to locate an SDS. These sheets may be found online using a common search engine, in the department files, or by contacting Environmental Health and Safety.