Leaving Yale?

We ask that you take a few moments to reflect back on the work you have been doing here at the university -

In particular, please consider the materials and equipment you have been working with, and especially whether any hazards or regulatory requirements might be associated with them. Many chemical, biological, and radioactive materials cannot lawfully be transported from one institution to another without prior agreements from both the source and receiving institution. And even with those prior approvals in place, these kinds of materials generally require special packaging and shipping to ensure safe and compliant transportation.

Similarly, certain kinds of equipment and instrumentation may themselves pose specific health or safety hazards, or they may be contaminated with a hazardous residue that requires testing and specialized cleaning in advance.

Consider what materials or equipment you might be leaving behind - on lab benches, inside cabinets, even specimens stored inside freezers or refrigerators.  Materials that you know are excess, unwanted, or redundant duplicates should be appropriately discarded– either as regular trash or as special waste material through EHS.  Remember to clean-out shared spaces like coldrooms as well. For equipment purchased through the University, be certain to notify your business manager regarding moveable equipment inventories.  For materials you are leaving behind, confirm that responsible colleagues in your group know what those materials are and where they are.  Be sure that the containers are labeled adequately to describe their contents, and share copies of applicable the inventories with others so that the history of the materials is well-known and documented.

EHS coordinates and provides required safety clearances for Controlled Substances, Chemical, Biological and Radioactive material use laboratories. If your laboratory is moving or disposing of equipment, moving to another facility on campus or another institution please refer to the guidance outlined in the "Laboratory Closure and Decommission Policy". When laboratory personnel have successfully removed all hazards from the area or equipment a Safety Clearance will be issued. Moves, renovations or repairs may begin only after a Safety Clearance has been issued. If you have any questions regarding proper clearance procedures, please contact your assigned Safety Advisor.

It is the responsibility of the laboratory occupants to perform all required decontamination procedures.   EHS is available to lend technical assistance when questions arise in this area.

For all of these issues, your first source of assistance is your safety advisor. Don’t remember who that is? Call 785-3550 or visit our web page listing EHS safety advisors (by building): www.yale.edu/oehs/sa.htm.

Finally, if you generated, managed, or otherwise had access to confidential patient or human subject information, ensure that it has been adequately safeguarded – contact the HIPAA Privacy Office for further information (436-3650).