Appendix Q: Laboratory and Equipment Decontamination Procedures

Decontamination of Lab Space and Equipment Punch List

1. Assigning a designate a Move Coordinator. The coordinator will work with EHS and other stakeholders to facilitate and coordinate the move.
2. Contact an outside vendor for the decontamination of biological safety cabinets (tissue culture hoods).
3. Have appropriate personal protective equipment available (lab coat, gloves, eye protection).
4. Dispose of old chemicals and all other chemical waste as hazardous waste. Notify the Environmental Manager at (617) 358-7840 at BUMC or (617) 353-4094 at CRC upon termination of a hazardous waste accumulation area or with any questions on this issue.
5. Decontaminate all equipment that is either to be moved or left behind.
6. Contact EHS regarding the discarding of equipment.
7. On the decontamination certificate, list all decontaminated equipment by room (one sheet per room).
8. Small pieces of equipment can be deconned and boxed by lab personnel.
9. Any working equipment to be left behind without a new owner must be reported to Facilities Management and EHS.
10. Contact the Radiation Safety for the guidance on decontamination and moving of radiological materials and work spaces.
11. Decontaminate all labs, including fume hoods, the outside of tissue culture hoods, cold/warm rooms, darkrooms, etc.
12. If perchloric acid was used in a fume hood, contact EHS at (617) 358-7840 at BUMC or (617) 353-4094 at CRC. This will require a special procedure.
13. Fill out one decontamination sheet for each room, tape one copy to the outside of the lab door (if it is a section of a lab, tape to bench), send one copy to the Biosafety Office, and keep one copy for the records.
14. Disinfectants: the most common are 10%freshly diluted bleach (leave on for 20-30 minutes, then wash off), 70% ethanol, or isopropanol. Phenolic agents are not recommended.
15. If refrigerators, freezers, incubators, etc., are to be moved with content inside, make sure the content is well protected from sliding, breaking, etc.
16. The Move Coordinator must ensure the following emergency procedures are covered:
    • Chemical spills
    • Biological spills
    • Fire
    • Personal injuries, such as slips, falls, cuts, etc.
17. Protective clothing and spill absorbent materials must be on hand.
18. Follow and complete the Laboratory or Equipment Decontamination certification form. EHS will inspect the laboratory space or equipment to ensure they have been appropriate cleaned and decontaminated.
19. EHS will affix a decontamination sticker on equipment that had been properly cleaned and disinfected. The equipment will be moved out within 15 days that the sticker is issued. The equipment will not be moved if the 15 days issuance lapses. EHS will inspect the equipment again and issue a new sticker.
20. Biohazard sticker will be removed once the equipment has been properly decontaminated.

The Environmental Health and Safety Laboratory or Equipment Decontamination Certification form can be found here.