{"id":2324,"date":"2021-05-11T12:45:19","date_gmt":"2021-05-11T16:45:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cleanmanagement.com\/?p=2324"},"modified":"2021-05-11T12:46:24","modified_gmt":"2021-05-11T16:46:24","slug":"a-safety-guide-for-lab-packing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cleanmanagement.com\/blog\/a-safety-guide-for-lab-packing\/","title":{"rendered":"A Safety Guide for Lab Packing"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"A<\/p>\n

Lab packing is a vital process for many industries. From hospitals to schools, the proper identification, organization, and disposal of chemical materials is not a task to take lightly. Without the proper organization and containment for these materials, leaks could spring within barrels, creating chemical reactions that jeopardize the safety of employees and anyone else who may encounter the hazardous chemicals.<\/p>\n

However, there is no reason to think that lab packing is an especially dangerous or insurmountable challenge. With the proper training and attention to detail, one can complete lab packs without much trouble at all. Every day, people successfully identify, separate, transport, and house or destroy hazardous waste. There is no reason to think that you cannot do the same. To help you along the way, perhaps a safety guide for lab packing would be helpful.<\/p>\n

What Is Lab Packing<\/h2>\n

Institutions as disparate as universities and manufacturing facilities collect so much hazardous waste over time that, eventually, they must find a method to dispose of it\u2014and this is where lab packing comes in. A lab pack is the accumulation of different hazardous materials safely re-packaged in lab pack disposal containers. Working alongside a waste disposal company, businesses can prepare the lab pack materials and then hand off the hazardous waste to the professionals, who will dispose of the hazards at a waste treatment facility.<\/p>\n

The standard methodology for lab packing is to fit several smaller, intact containers within a 55-gallon drum. You must securely pack, sort, and pad the small containers to ensure the safe transport of chemical waste. It is important to fill individual drums with chemicals that will not create adverse reactions if they mix.<\/p>\n

Although the chemicals are separate within the drum, you want to make sure a leak from one or more containers will not cause a dangerous reaction. You can mix some chemicals when you add them to the drums for space reasons, but these must be safe combinations that will not cause physical harm.<\/p>\n

Government Regulations<\/h2>\n

Through the Resource Recovery and Conservation Act (RCRA) and Land Disposal Restrictions (LDR) program, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has laid out the regulations for how to manage lab pack services<\/a>. The regulations prohibit anyone from discarding hazardous chemicals down the drain or throwing them out in the trash. The government also insists that a licensed chemist oversee the combination of chemicals to minimize the risk of a volatile eruption.<\/p>\n

Other government agencies, like the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), also have a set of regulations for the handling, transporting, and treatment of lab pack chemicals. All these regulations serve to limit the chances of exposing workers or the general public to hazards. Complying with these regulations is absolutely vital for a successful lab packing process.<\/p>\n

Identification<\/h2>\n

The first step in a safe, efficient lab pack process is identification. A qualified staff member should be responsible for creating an inventory of all the damaged, out-of-date, or expired chemicals that you\u2019ll need to dispose of. Since you\u2019re trying to maximize safety, the identification process should be incredibly detailed, outlining exactly what will go into the lab pack and how everything will be organized. The identification step must take place before you dispose of any of the chemicals you no longer need.<\/p>\n

Separate Substances<\/h2>\n

With a licensed chemist overseeing the combination or separation of the different chemicals, you\u2019ll fill containers as small as vials with hazardous materials and pack them within larger containers. Pack flammable materials with other flammable materials, corrosive items with other corrosive items, and so on.<\/p>\n

Coding System for Hazardous Waste<\/h2>\n

If you want to follow a safety guide for lab packing effectively, pay extra attention to how the RCRA sets the standard for properly identifying hazardous waste. The Act includes a standardized coding system for the industry. With this system, everyone managing the waste, from the handlers to the transporters, knows exactly what they are dealing with. Examples of the coding system include:<\/p>\n