Decommissioning LaboratoriesEnvironmental Health and Safety

November 18, 2015

F & A Advisory Group

Background Over 80 labs vacated as part to the ISC

move and another 14 labs will be moving to University Hall

These labs and ancillary spaces have used and stored a wide variety of hazardous materials over decades

Active Labs

Background (Continued)

Chemical, biological and radiological materials may have spilled and are still present

Some of these labs especially in Wheatley and McCormack are being converted to another use or reused as a lab.

Purpose of DecommissioningEnsure a safe transition of laboratory space

Protect staff and faculty working in or occupying a lab space

To comply with environmental regulations.

Decommissioning ProcessRegulatory requirements (US EPA, Nuclear Regulatory

Commission, Mass DEP and the US Drug Enforcement Administration)

The exiting Principal Investigator and their staff are

responsible for decontaminating equipment.

EHS has developed a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and a checklist to clarify and assist with decommissioning

Decommissioning Process1. Initial

Clean Out

• Principal Investigator cleans prior to move

2. EHS Assessme

nt

• Space Committee asks EHS to inspect vacated lab and conduct risk assessment

3. Decon Plan

• EHS develops a brief Lab-specific Decommissioning Plan with a cost estimate and schedule

Decommissioning Process4.

Funding Decision

• Department reviews Decommissioning Plan

5. EHS Implementati

on

• EHS staff or outside contractor conducts decommissioning

6. Move-in Approved

• EHS advises Space Committee that lab is ready for move-in

Close the Science Center Waste Water Treatment System

Questions