FAQs
Chemical Management
1. How do I log onto the Chemical Inventory found in EHS Assistant?
Answer: It is a link from the KSU EHS home page or directly at https://www.k-state.edu/safety/lab/chemical/ehsassistant/. It can also be found under Chemical Management section within the Laboratory folder.
2. How do I enter chemicals I have into the EHS Assistant Inventory?
Answer: Individually by logging onto EHS Assistant, clicking the inventory link under the “CHEM” section, and hitting the Add Chemical button on the inventory page. Mass uploads of chemicals can be accomplished by filling in a template supplied by EHS.
3. What lists can a chemical be listed on that require notification and/or special handling?
Answer: Many
1) The Department of Homeland Security Appendix A Chemicals of Interest list (6 CFR Part 27)
2) OSHA Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act List of Extremely Hazardous Substances, also known as SARA Title III (40 CFR Appendix A to Part 355)
3) Releases of CERCLA Hazardous Substances List (40 CFR Part 302)
4) Kansas State University List of Peroxide Forming Chemicals Management List (KSU Lab Safety Manual)
4. How often should a laboratory's chemical inventory be reviewed and updated?
Answer: General review of the inventory should be conducted at least once a year, and update whenever a new chemical is purchased and added to the laboratory.
Disposal Guide
| Waste/Recyclable Item | How do I dispose of this item? | Are there any special instructions? | Who picks it up? | How soon before it is picked up? | Are disposal containers provided? | Is there a fee? |
| Aerosol Cans | Fill out a Hazardous Waste pickup form on the EHS website. | Place a completed Hazardous Waste label on each can. If there are many cans, place them in a bag and put the label on the bag. | EHS | Will usually be picked up within 3 days of pickup form submission. | No | Only for non-research departments and certain labs charging fees for their services |
| Animal carcasses | Fill out a Medical Waste pickup form on the EHS website. | Keep frozen until EHS picks them up. | EHS | In the summer we wait until the day before the medical waste truck arrives (twice/month). | No | Only for non-research departments and certain labs charging fees for their services. |
| Batteries | Send small quantities to EHS through campus mail OR fill out a Hazardous Waste pickup form on the EHS website | For Lithium batteries, tape top and bottom, covering both terminal ends. | EHS | Picked up in order of request | No | Only for non-research departments and certain labs charging fees for their services. |
Biohazard or regulated medical waste | Fill out a Medical Waste pickup form. | Place in red biohazard bags or totes. Indicate whether it is pathogen-containing waste. | EHS | Will usually be picked up within 3 days of pickup form submission. | No | Only for non-research departments and certain labs charging fees for their services. |
| CDs, DVDs, portable media | Take to the KSU Recycling Center or request a Ewaste pickup. | Delete all information from the media. | Facilities Recycling | Determined by recycling | No | No |
| Confidential or security documents for shredding | Place in a secured Document Resources box. | No | Each dept. can request a drop box (console) or locked box with a drop slot. Call Document Resources 537-1222. | Determined by vendor | Yes | Yes |
| Controlled substances - if you are the registered owner of the substance | Registrant (owner) of controlled substance is responsible for the return or destruction their substances. See the Use and Disposal of Controlled Substances Used for Research document on the EHS website. | Registered owners may contact a Reverse Distributor or destroy the substance in a way that it is no longer viable and is not retrievable. You must document your actions. | Reverse Distributor, is using that method | Determined by Reverse Distributor | No | Yes, for Reverse Distribution |
| Electronic waste (computers, computer screens, printers, cables, etc.) | Take to the KSU Recycling Center or request a Ewaste pickup. | Need to fill out a Disposition of Property Form (DA110) for KSU property. | Facilities Recycling | Determined by recycling | No | No |
| Empty chemical containers | Rinse and dispose of in the trash EXCEPT for those that held a P-listed chemical (they are hazardous waste). See the Lab Safety Manual, pages 72-73. | Do not rinse “empty” containers that held P-listed materials or wastes. If you do, the rinsate must be collected and handled as hazardous waste. | EHS does not pick up empty containers except for those that contained a P-listed waste. | For containers that held a P-listed waste: 3 days or less from the date of your pickup form submission | No | Only for non-research departments and certain labs charging fees for their services |
| Ethidium bromide gels or solutions | Fill out a Hazardous Waste pickup form on the EHS website. | Ethidium bromide does not require a Hazardous Waste label. | EHS | Picked up in order of request | No | No |
| Gas cylinders | Fill out a Hazardous Waste pickup form on the EHS website. | Cylinders must be labeled with their contents. Valve caps must be in place. Place a Hazardous Waste label on the cylinder or attache the label with a wire or other method. | Vendor (bought from) | Determined by vendor | N/A | Only for non-research departments and certain labs charging fees for their services. |
| Glass (not contaminated with biohazardous materials) | Place in a box marked "broken glass." | If not contaminated with bodily fluids, it's not medical or biohazard waste. Do not use a biohazard or hazardous waste label. | This item in not picked up by EHS. Put the box in a dumpster. | N/A | No. You can use any cardboard box or order broken glass boxes thru lab supply companies. | N/A |
| Hard drives | Call Document Resources at 537-1222. Hard drives will be shredded. | They will log your hard drives you'll sign for them. There will be a charge. | Document Resources | Upon request | No | Yes |
| Hazardous waste, expired or unwanted chemicals (if more than 30 chemicals, see "Laboratory Cleanouts") | Fill out a Hazardous Waste pickup form. | Make sure all containers are closed and marked with a completed hazardous waste label. | EHS | 3 days or less from the date of your pickup form submission | Only for solvents. We may provide drums for certain items on request. | Only for non-research departments and certain labs charging fees for their services. |
| Human blood, vomit or other bodily fluid discovered on campus | Place in a biohazard bag or medical waste container. | Make sure bag or container is closed. | Facilities will clean up & place in a biohazard bag. | Will usually be picked up within 3 days of pickup form submission. | EHS will provide biohazard bags. | Only for non-research departments and certain labs charging fees for their services. |
| Laboratory Cleanouts (chemicals) | Fill out the "Laboratory clean out(xls)" form on the EHS website. | Must fill out form completely and list ALL chemicals you wanted disposed. EHS will set a date for the cleanout with you. | EHS | EHS requires 60-days notice of cleanout. | No | Usually there is no fee for this service; however, if EHS must bring in a special team to deal with highly hazardous or unknown materials, the department might be charged. |
| Light bulbs (fluorescent, HID, mercury, etc.) | Fill out a Hazardous Waste pickup form. | All bulbs must be in a closed cardboard box and marked "Used Lamps" | EHS | Picked up in order of request | We can provide boxes for 4' and 8' bulbs fluorescent bulbs. | Yes |
| Microwaves | Facilities will take KSU-owned microwaves. Call Recycling at 2-6389. | No | Facilities Recycling | Upon request | N/A | No |
| Paint, latex and acrylic | Fill out a Hazardous Waste pickup form. | Does not require a Hazardous Waste label. | EHS | Picked up in order of request | No | Only for non-research departments and certain labs charging fees for their services. |
| Paint, oil-based (flammable) | Fill out a Hazardous Waste pickup form. | Make sure all containers are closed and marked with a completed hazardous waste label. | EHS | Picked up in order of request | No | Only for non-research departments and certain labs charging fees for their services |
| Printer/toner cartridges | Place in the plastic blue tote provided specifically for cartridges. | No - OR - | Facilities Recycling - OR - | Facilities picks up periodically. | Facilities will provide container. If you need one call 2-6389. |
No - OR - No |
| Radioactive waste | Fill out a Radioactive waste pickup form. | Container must be closed. Must be labeled with a Radioactive Waste label. | EHS | Will be picked up as soon as possible after pickup form submission. | No | No |
| Recycled items: paper, cardboard, aluminum, glass, newspaper, etc. | Place in recycle bins that are located in your office and many other locations on campus. | No | Facilities empties all KSU recycling containers. | N/A | Recycling will provide recycling containers. If you need containers, call 2-6389. | No |
| Refrigerators | Contact Facilities at 2-6389. It must be KSU property. | If working, Recycling will take them. If not working, call Facilities, 2-6389, to ask about removing refrigerant. There may be a charge. Recycling will take after refrigerant is removed. | Facilities Recycling | Upon request | N/A | May be a fee for removing refrigerant |
| Sharps, medical (syringes, needles, surgical blades) | Place in an approved sharps container and fill out a Medical waste pickup form on the EHS website. | Container must be closed. | EHS | Will usually be picked up within 3 days of pickup form submission. | No | Only for non-research departments and certain labs charging fees for their services. |
Spill cleanup | Place in a closed container, put a completed Hazardous Waste label on the container and fill out a Hazardous Waste pickup form on the EHS website. | No | EHS | 3 days or less from the date of your pickup form submission | No | Only for non-research departments and certain labs charging fees for their services. |
Used Oil | Fill out the Waste Pickup Form on the EHS website. | Container must be closed. Write “Used Oil” on the container or use a Used Oil label. | EHS | Picked up in order of request | No | Only for non-research departments and certain labs charging fees for their services. |
Fire Safety
1. Is there any training available for fire safety on campus?
Answer: Yes there are fire extinguisher training classes given twice a month. Employees can enroll in these classes through the HRIS portal.
2. If we have used an extinguisher and need it serviced who do we contact?
Answer: Call us at 532-5856 and we will get someone out to you as soon as possible.
Fume Hoods
1. What should I do if the fume hood alarm keeps going off?
Answer: Stop all experiments and close hood sash completely. Call Facilities Customer Services at 532-6389 to let them know that the hood alarm is going into "Alarm". Make sure to tell them the building, room # and the hood #.
2. Whom do I contact to have a chemical fume hood inspected?
Answer: Chemical fume hood inspections are conducted annually by EHS. Inspection labels are placed next to the sash identifying the date of the last inspection, whether or not the hood passed the inspection, the average face velocity and when the next inspection is due. If the fume hood is overdue for inspection, was recently repaired or if you have concerns about how the hood is functioning, please call 532-5856 to have your fume hood inspected.
Hazardous Waste
1. What training do I need if I create (generate) or handle hazardous waste?
Answer: You need to take Hazardous Waste Awareness training once per year. The initial class and Refresher training can be taken on-line. This training must be also be taken by all personnel who fill out a Hazardous Waste pickup form, fill out a Hazardous Waste label or work in a lab, shop or studio where hazardous waste is present.
2. Does EHS provide containers for waste chemicals?
Answer Part 1: No. EHS is unable to provide containers for waste chemicals. You may reuse containers that your chemicals were shipped in. Make sure the previous contents of the container are compatible with the contents you will be placing in the container. If they are incompatible it could cause a severe reaction. It’s best to wash the container before using it for another chemical. Make sure to wash around the threads at the top of the bottle and wash the inside of the lid.
Empty containers should be rinsed three times and then properly discarded to a trash dumpster. Deface the label on empty containers so there is no question about hazards.
Do not rinse containers that held P-listed waste. These containers are considered hazardous waste and should be managed as such.
Answer Part 2: We do provide containers for formalin, halogenated solvents and non-halogenated solvents if the following conditions are met:
- There are no solids in the solvent
- The solvent is not water
- The pH is neutral
Items not allowed in solvent containers:
- Corrosives
- Gloves
- Paper towels
- Desiccant
It is EXTREMELY important to identify ALL of the chemicals in the solvent container. We mix your solvent waste with many others (a process called “bulking”). If you have something incompatible with another chemical that we are mixing it with it could cause a reaction and endanger our staff.
Answer Part 3: EHS will provide 30-gallon and 55-gallon drums for certain large-volume wastes. Call EHS for information (785-532-5856).
3. Does EHS pick up empty container?
Answer: EHS only picks up empty containers that once held a P-listed waste. These empty containers are hazardous waste and must be handled and labeled as hazardous waste. Do not rinse these containers.
All other containers should be rinsed 3 times and placed in the trash. Deface the label on empty containers so there is no question about hazards.
4. Does EHS provide Hazardous Waste labels?
Answer: Yes. You can request additional labels on the Hazardous Waste Pickup Form or you can call the EHS office at 785-532-5856 and they will send labels to you through campus mail.
5. How do I label used oil?
Answer: Write “Used Oil” on the container or use a Used Oil label. Do not use the words “Waste Oil.” This has a different meaning. Do not use a Hazardous Waste label.
6. How many container of the same hazardous waste can I have?
Answer: You may only have 1 container of each type of waste (waste stream). However; once you fill a waste container, fill out a Hazardous Waste pickup request and fill in the Full Date on your label, you may then begin filling a 2nd container of the same type of waste.
Medical Waste
1. Do medical waste containers or bags need a hazardous waste label?
Answer: No. Medical waste containers are only required to have a biohazard symbol. Sharps containers must say “sharp” and have the biohazard symbol.
2. Does EHS provide any form of biohazard sticker or label?
Answer: No. However, there are options available through Fisher and Grainger in various sizes.
Training
1. What is the difference between Hazard Communication and Hazardous Waste Awareness training?
Hazard Communication is for chemicals you will be using.
Hazardous Waste Awareness training is for chemicals you want to discard. They may have been used, are no longer unusable or are unwanted.
Hazard Communication training (HazCom):
- Teaches you how and where to identify the hazards of the chemicals you will be working with.
- Is required for all employees who may be exposed to hazardous chemicals when working.
- Is required before you work with a hazardous chemical.
- An instructor-led class taught monthly.
Hazardous Waste Awareness training (or HW training):
- Teaches you how to manage chemicals once they become a waste.
- Is required for everyone who generates, handles, has responsibility for, or works in a lab that generates chemicals or materials that can become HW. It's also required for those who fill out a Waste Pickup Request.
- HW training is required within six months of employment or transfer of job duties that involve hazardous materials management.
- There's an Initial course and a Refresher course. Both are available on Vivid.
HW Refresher training
- Is required every year after you've completed the Initial HW training.
