Ohio Administrative Code › Title 3352 - Wright State University › Chapter 3352-7 - Administration Generally › Section 3352-7-27 - Exit policy for the closeout/decommissioning of university laboratories

Current through all regulations passed and filed through July 1, 2024
(A)
								Purpose
University investigators often use
				hazardous chemicals or agents as part of their laboratory research. Through
				requirements established in the Chemical Hygiene Plan. Biosafety Manual.
				Radiation Safety Manual, and regulations instituted by federal and state
				agencies, investigators must properly handle and control these chemicals and
				agents to protect persons and the environment. This policy extends the
				requirement for investigators to maintain control of these materials and
				potentially contaminated spaces through the process of closing out their
				laboratory. A principle investigator who permanently vacates laboratory space
				as part of relocating to another laboratory at the university, transferring to
				another university, retiring, or suspending laboratory operations for any other
				reason must ensure that all environmental and occupational health and safety
				regulations are met to assure a safe work area for future users.
(B)
								Applicability
This policy applies to the
				closeout/decommissioning of any university laboratory that had operations
				dealing with hazardous materials. For the purpose of this policy, hazardous
				material includes chemicals, radioactive materials, and biological, infectious,
				or zoonotic agents or toxins. This policy also applies to hazardous materials
				belonging to the vacating principal investigator, but stored in a shared use or
				storage space (e.g.. cold room, freezer, or stock room).
(C)
								Responsibilities
(1)
									Principal investigator
The principal investigator (PI) is a
				faculty or staff member serving as the responsible individual of the
				laboratory. The PI retains responsibility for proper management of hazardous
				materials and contaminated equipment or laboratory surfaces. At least one month
				before vacating the laboratory space or as soon as the decision is made, the PI
				will inform the director of environmental health and safety (EHS) of the
				planned move. The PI will meet with the director of EHS or his/her
				representative to discuss the close out process. If necessary, the department
				chair may be involved in the discussion. The director of EHS will provide the
				PI a copy of the "Laboratory Clearance Checklist" which will be used to
				complete the Exit Clearance process (see  paragraph (E) of
				this rule).
(2)
									Department chair or director
The chair or director is accountable
				for laboratory space assigned to the department. The chair or director must
				ensure the director of EHS is timely informed of planned laboratory closeouts.
				In the event services beyond those routinely performed by EHS are required,
				such that an outside contractor is needed, the responsible department will be
				charged for purchased services. Any regulatory action or fines resulting from
				improper management of hazardous materials will be charged to the responsible
				department.
(3)
									Environmental health and safety (EHS)
EHS will work with the PI to develop a
				management plan for the proper management and disposal of hazardous material
				and with developing procedures for the required decontamination of equipment or
				laboratory surfaces. EHS is responsible for the costs associated with the
				disposal of hazardous materials that have been managed as required under
				applicable procedures. EHS staff will perform the final inspection of a vacated
				laboratory, along with the PI as described in  paragraph (E) of
				this rule, and will release the laboratory for fixture use once all
				requirements have been met.
(4)
									Laboratory animal
			 resources (LAR)
The director of LAR is responsible for
				the management of all controlled substances regulated by the federal drug
				enforcement agency (DEA) and for the incineration of all animal waste not
				meeting the Ohio environmental protection agency's (OEPA) definition of
				infectious waste.