EPA, CDPHE conducting site visit of research/wet labs
Representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) will be conducting a site visit of our research/wet labs in late July.
The purpose of the visit is to review laboratory operations, environmental compliance practices, waste management procedure and training. During the visit, EPA/CDPHE personnel may tour any laboratory areas, observe processes, inspect SAAs and speak with staff regarding routine operations and compliance activities.
To ensure a successful visit, please:
- Maintain clean, organized and safe work areas.
- Verify that all chemical containers are properly labeled and stored.
- Ensure hazardous waste containers are properly managed in your SAA. Each waste container must have a hazwaste tag affixed to it with at least one hazardous characteristic indicated (toxic, ignitable, corrosive, reactive, oxidizer). Contents need to equal 100%, and tags should spell out the entire chemical name, with no abbreviations. Close all containers, even boxes of dry waste.
- Wear your PPE (safety glasses, lab coat, gloves, closed toe shoes, long pants).
- Only submit full hazardous waste containers. Partially filled containers should remain in the laboratory until they are ready for collection unless there is a specific safety concern or special disposal requirement.
Environmental Health and Safety asks for your full cooperation and professionalism throughout the visit. If you are approached by EPA/CDPHE representatives, answer questions honestly and direct any concerns or requests for additional information to EH&S. If you don’t know the answer, please don’t guess. EH&S will be present for all of the inspections.
If you have any questions regarding the site visit or preparation requirements, please contact ehs@colorado.edu.