VLSB / Weill Hall Hazardous Materials Transportation Policy

Source: https://bds.berkeley.edu/vlsb/hazard Parent: https://bds.berkeley.edu/vlsb

It is the policy of the Weill Hall and the VLSB that hazardous chemicals, radioisotopes, biohazardous materials or other hazardous materials transported between and within the public spaces of the Weill Hall and the VLSB are required to have secondary containment and use restricted paths of transport.

Definitions for purposes of this policy

Hazardous materials: Any material with toxic, corrosive, reactive or ignitable characteristics rated two or greater by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Hazard ratings can be determined from the Lab Safety Supply Hazard Rating Guide located in the storerooms. Hazardous materials, as defined here, also includes hazardous wastes, biohazards and radioisotopes.

Public spaces: All hallways, corridors, stairwells, and shared lobbies external to the research suites, teaching labs and support rooms.

Secondary containment: A secondary enclosure that is shatterproof, and encapsulates the primary container protecting it from breakage (e.g., Nalgene, Fisher).

Appropriate packaging acceptable to campus EH&S and ORS. Containerized chemicals must be in sturdy packaging allowing space for the primary containers and shock absorbing packaging material to prevent breakage and leaks. There must be no protruding objects. All chemicals must be upright with tight screw fitted caps. The combined weight of the containerized chemicals must weigh less than 60 lb and be labeled with the material's identity. Leaking containers must not be transported.

Incompatibles may not be transported in the same secondary container.

NOTE: Non-glass Department of Transportation (DOT) approved containers such as steel alcohol cans are acceptable for safe transportation without secondary containment. Shatterproof glass bottles such as those provided by Fisher and other vendors are considered primary containment and require secondary containment.

• Plexiglass secondary containers must be used when transporting radioactive waste materials to central pick-up site (155 Weill Hall).
• Established Campus Guidelines for radioactive waste, scintillation wastes and medical waste are to be complied with.

Use of carts

• Carts must be used to transport heavy items or volumes exceeding 1 gallon or 4 liters in secondary containment.
• More than one container must be transported using a cart. Carts must have lips with height 2 inches or greater surrounding all sides.
• It is not permissible to transport any materials on carts without using secondary containment.
• Stainless steel medical carts or autoclave carts with lips on three sides or other open carts are not acceptable for transport.
• Double containers and the appropriate carts are available for use in the Weill Hall and VLSB storeroom.

Transportation Routes in VLSB

• Animals, radioisotopes and hazardous materials are prohibited from transport in the public elevators 1 and 2 (center elevators). These materials may only be transported in elevator 3 (freight elevator-south center ) and elevator 4 (west elevator) in the VLSB.
• Transportation of hazardous materials using stairwells is prohibited.
• Chemicals transported through the VLSB/LSWeill HallA connector and bridge must have double containment.
• Chemicals are prohibited from transfer over the bridge except between the upper research floors.

Transportation Routes in Weill Hall

• Animals, radioisotopes and chemicals are restricted to the Freight Elevator (#3), south corridor east end.
• No hazardous materials are allowed in the passenger elevators located in the north and south lobbies.