Chemical Safety and Hazardous Waste
The chemical safety and hazardous waste program partners with researchers to ensure that chemicals are used in ways that reduce risk and exposure as well as in compliance with the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA/TOSHA), the Department of Transportation (DOT/TDOT), the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and the Environmental Protection Agency.
The chemical safety and hazardous waste team:
- Assists with initial laboratory design, set-ups, moves and closings
- Assists with chemical inventory management
- Provides chemical and physical lab safety and hazardous waste training online and in-person
- Provides safety guidance or policies such as the Chemical Hygiene Plan
- Assists with development of lab standard operating procedures
- Conducts safety and compliance inspections/audits
- Conducts injury, exposure, industrial hygiene, and indoor air quality evaluations in research areas
- Collects and disposes of chemical and pharmaceutical waste from research areas
- Responds to emergencies or spills involving chemicals in research areas
- Coordinates and supports the activities of the Chemical Safety Committee (CSC)