1.0 Environmental Health and Safety Documentation
1.1 Identify existing federal, state or local environmental documents (e.g., Environmental Impact Statements, Report or Assessment; construction or building use permits, certifications) that relate to the proposed research or facilities proposed for use.
To date, no Environmental Impact Statements have been required for any of the facilities proposed for use. To obtain construction or building use permits, contact University Office of Risk Management, (217) 239-6744.
1.2 Describe the mechanisms (e.g., administrative procedures, permitting, internal regulations, etc.) by which compliance with federal, state and local regulations pertaining to hazardous waste, toxic substances, radioactive waste, and pathological waste is accomplished.
The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) maintains several programs to ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations pertaining to hazardous waste, toxic substances, radioactive waste and pathological waste. Hazardous wastes are routinely collected from UIC laboratories and disposed of via the Chemical Surplus Removal Program operated by the Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO). Compliance with regulations pertaining to toxic substances is monitored and enforced by the Health and Safety section of EHSO. Radioactive wastes are routinely collected and disposed via the Radiation Safety Section of EHSO. Pathological waste is collected and disposed via the University of Illinois Hospital pathological waste program. Regulated waste is sent to an approved/permitted disposal site. Descriptions of these programs and relevant UIC policies can be found in the Environmental Health and Safety Standards (EHSS), Radiation Safety Manual, Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) and the Exposure Control Plan for Bloodborne Pathogens (all available in Department offices and at EHSO).
1.3 Is there any existing environmental condition on-site that would make this agency liable for any cleanup costs in the future? For instance, is this a CERCLA site or under investigation for inclusion under CERCLA? Has there ever been a spill of hazardous waste on site, and if so, what was the extent and results of the cleanup? Are there any underground storage tanks on site? What was the previous use of the site?
There appears to be no existing environmental condition on any UIC site that would make your organization liable for cleanup costs in the future. None of the UIC sites are under investigation for inclusion under CERCLA. To my knowledge, there has never been a hazardous waste spill of reportable quantity on site. The amounts of hazardous wastes generated on campus are below most reporting limits.
The UIC has been mainly built on land which was previously a residential area. Some underground storage tanks of heating oil have been found during excavation at various areas on campus. In keeping with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), underground storage tanks are removed as necessary by the University's Facilities Management Department.
The College of Pharmacy Building was built in 1959 as laboratory and classroom space. Chemical Engineering Building: This structure was obtained by UIC in 1986. Previously known as the R.W. Hunt Building, this site was an office and warehouse building which has since been converted to laboratories and classroom space. Roosevelt Road Building: Prior to the late 60's, the south part of this building housed a bank, the north end was a parking structure which was converted into offices.
Any hazardous products of experimental processes will be treated as part of the process. Hazardous waste will be picked up by the UIC EHSO together with other hazardous wastes that are generated at UIC. All empty glassware and bottles that contained chemicals will be triple rinsed before disposal in the regular trash.
These wastes are stored at UIC's Environmental Safety Facility until collection by a hazardous waste contractor. All wastes are either treated to render them non-hazardous or incinerated by the contractor. Mercury is reclaimed.
UIC's current hazardous waste contractor is ENSCO. Their main facility is located in El Dorado, Arkansas. Mercury waste is shipped to Bethlehem Apparatus in Hellertown, PA, AERC in Allentown PA, or Heritage Environmental Services in Indianapolis, IN. Scintillation Cocktail is sent to Perma-Fix of Florida in Gainsville, FL.
The biohazardous waste generated in this project will be (list the components of biohazardous waste here). This waste will be/will not (pick one) autoclaved and then placed in biohazardous waste bags. The bags are collected by UIC's Environmental Services. The waste is shipped by Stericycle to various facilities for incineration
The environmental issues of this project will be the direct responsibility of the Principal Investigator and graduate students assigned to the project. The EHSO will be available for consultation regarding environmental concerns and assistance in the proper disposal of hazardous wastes that may be generated.
1.4 List of laws that must be complied with and the strategies that will be used to maintain compliance.
FEDERAL REGULATIONS
Specifically, the UIC Environmental Health and Safety Standards (EHSS) address environmental health and safety topics which must be adhered to by all employees and students as well as by campus departments when establishing internal procedures for their personnel. Environmental issues are everyone's responsibility. These are reiterated in the UIC Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP).
In compliance with the OSHA Lab Standard, each laboratory at UIC should have a Chemical Hygiene Plan in place. The EHSO is the appointed Chemical Hygiene Officer in charge of compliance.
Furthermore, UIC subscribes to recognized national standards of health and safety, such as those promulgated by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the National Safety Council (NSC), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and other standard making bodies.
In addition, UIC complies with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act: the EHSO files an annual report as a hazardous waste generator; Occupational Safety and Health Act: beside internal training, the UIC EHSO performs routine inspections to assure that all applicable aspects of OSHA are being complied with; Clean Air Act: routine monitoring of emissions are performed internally, and upon request of the Environmental Health and Safety Office.
2.0 FACILITY SAFETY AND EMERGENCY COORDINATION
2.1 Describe the coordination and communication arrangements with local emergency authorities (health, fire, and police) concerning potentially hazardous materials used in the laboratory. Include organization and address of activities with which coordination has been accomplished and documented. Include date of last coordination and time frame for mandatory renewal of this coordination. Provide documentation of the coordination. The documentation must include, as applicable, hazardous chemical lists as required by Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) Title III, Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know (EPCRA), of 1986.
The University of Illinois at Chicago requires all laboratories to post Laboratory Identification Data Cards on all laboratory doors. This card contains the following information:
As a precaution, a spill kit consisting of activated charcoal for solvents and a 1:1:1 mix (w/w) of calcium carbonate, bentonite, and sand for corrosives will be available.
It is University policy that small chemical spills of materials with low toxicity are cleaned up by laboratory personnel. Large spills, or spills with high toxicity levels are handled by the Chicago Fire Department's (CFD) Hazardous Materials Team. The UIC agreement with the Chicago Fire Department regarding serious chemical emergencies involves the response of the CFD Hazardous Materials Team. This coordination is ongoing and with no formal schedules.
If a faculty or staff member suffers an injury involving potentially hazardous materials on campus, the following actions are taken:
UIC falls under the fourth exemption of Section 311 and 312 of Title III of SARA . Chemicals are used in small amounts in the research laboratories, hospital and medical clinics under the supervision of technically qualified individuals. It has been determined that an emergency planning notification for the laboratory sites is not required.
2.2 Describe the relevant building/laboratory ventilation features and their conformance to current recommended practices (e.g., American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist (ACGIH) Industrial Ventilation). Describe the handling of the waste air streams from biological safety cabinets and chemical fume hoods, and their conformance with recommended standards.
All laboratories maintain the minimum number of air changes per hour as specified by the American National Standard Institute's guidelines. To prevent spread of harmful fumes, chemical odors and vapors to other areas of the building, all labs are maintained at negative pressure in relation to the corridors. The University's Facilities Management Department (Heat, Light and Power) monitors: working order, balance (supply rate/exhaust rate), and operational performance of every mechanical ventilating system on campus. Air removed by mechanical ventilating exhaust systems is discharged to the exterior of the building at a point where it will not cause a nuisance and from which it cannot be readily drawn in by a ventilating system. Air is not recirculated at any time. All campus air exhausts and air intakes meet the City of Chicago building standards.
Laboratories which
generate dangerous fumes, gases, vapors or other contaminants, are equipped
with local exhaust systems. These systems capture contaminated air and
discharge to the outdoor atmosphere. Laboratories in which excessive exposures
may occur are equipped with chemical fume hoods for local ventilation.
All chemical fume hoods have
separate exhaust ducts.
All University laboratories comply with the following guidelines and standards:
When necessary, campus laboratories seek the assistance of the EHSO for improving air quality.
3.0 SAFETY PROGRAM
3.1 Describe the institutional safety program, to include the structure and function of standing safety committees, and identify the document(s) that codify the program. Describe discrete program elements such as biological, chemical and radiological safety programs. [See (3.4) below for details of biological safety programs].
The University of Illinois at Chicago's institutional safety program is governed by the Environmental Health and Safety Committee. This Committee's membership represents both academia and administration, including representatives from all the Colleges, Facilities Management, Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO) and the UIC Hospital. The Committee oversees the safety programs on campus and is responsible for updating and amending safety programs and standards when necessary. The EHSO is responsible for implementing safety programs.
In addition, the UIC Hospital Safety Committee (HSC) is responsible for safety within the hospital. The HSC is comprised of hospital staff at all levels and is co-chaired by a member of the EHSO. The Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) is solely responsible for safety of radioactive materials and the individuals who work with radioactive materials and radiation producing equipment. The RSC is comprised of professional staff from the departments who work with radioactive materials.
UIC practices
and enforces standards, regulations, and procedures promulgated by federal,
state and local regulatory agencies. These include the Occupational Safety
and Health Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency and the City
of Chicago. The University's policies and procedures are formally stated
in several documents, including the UIC Environmental Health and Safety Standards
(EHSS), UIC Chemical Hygiene Plan, UIC Exposure Control Plan for Bloodborne
Pathogens, and the Radiation Safety Manual.
3.2 Identify standing operating procedures (SOP) that have been formulated to address actions to be taken after spills or accidents involving potentially hazardous materials.
The University of Illinois at Chicago's (UIC) policy and procedures pertaining to spills and accidents involving potentially hazardous materials can be found in the UIC Environmental Health and Safety Standards (EHSS) and each lab's Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP). The CHP details the response and/or evacuation procedures to be followed based on each lab environment. Spills which present a minimal health and safety hazard are handled by knowledgeable persons in the laboratory. The Chicago Fire Department responds to spills that can not be safely handled by the user.
3.3 Describe the frequency of facility/laboratory inspections, to include maintenance equipment and operational practices. Identify the office and official title(s) of individual(s) who perform inspections, and the title(s) of official(s) to whom reports of deficiencies are reported.
Each laboratory at the University of Illinois at Chicago is annually audited for safe laboratory practices by the Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO). These audits address chemical, gas, biological and fire safety, engineering controls, personal protective equipment and check that all appropriate documentation * is present. Laboratory safety audits are performed by the following EHSO staff:
Before work beings in the laboratory, the fume hood will be tested for proper air flow, EHSO will perform a laboratory safety audit to make sure that all applicable rules and regulations are in compliance, and the personnel involved in this project will undergo the appropriate safety training on the proper handling, use, storage and disposal of the chemicals that will be used. This will include personal protective equipment and emergency procedures.
3.4 Provide the following information if proposed research involves the use of etiological agents (infectious microorganisms and toxins of biological origin): Description of the institutional biological safety program to include compliance with accepted documents such as:
UIC's standard operating procedures for the safe use, handling, storage and disposal of potentially hazardous biological materials are detailed in several documents (the UIC Exposure Control Plan for Bloodborne Pathogens, UIC Environmental Health and Safety Standards (2-6-2 through 2-6-4), and UIC Hospital Housekeeping Department Policies and Procedures Manual (#0400)).
Compliance with the UIC Biosafety program is monitored by the EHSO. Each laboratory using etiological agents is inspected annually by the Biosafety Officer or the Environmental Chemical Specialist, in consultation with the Fire Inspector and Industrial Hygienist.
3.4.1 Office and address of the institutional Biological Safety Officer and any standing safety committee or subcommittee responsible specifically for review and approval of biological research policies, procedures, and facilities.
Biosafety Officer
Environmental
Health and Safety Office M/C 645
1140 S.
Paulina Street
Chicago
IL, 60612-7217
(312) 996-7429
Safety Committees for Review and Approval of Biological Research Policies (as applicable)
Office of Protection from Research Risk
307C Administrative Office Building M/C
672
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, IL 60612-7220
Telephone (312)996-1972
3.4.2 Standing operating procedures for the safe use, handling and storage, packing and transportation of potentially hazardous biological materials.
The University of Illinois at Chicago's standing operating procedures for the safe use, handling, storage and disposal of potentially hazardous biological materials are detailed in several documents: UIC Exposure Control Plan for Bloodborne Pathogens, UIC Environmental Health and Safety Standards (2-6-2 through 2-6-4), and UIC Hospital Housekeeping Department Policies and Procedures Manual (#0400). It is UIC policy that the transfer of potentially hazardous biological materials from the University will comply with the regulations pertaining to the packaging and shipment of etiological agents as described in 42 CFR 72.3.
4.0 WASTE DISCHARGES
4.1 Describe the procedures used for pretreatment of biological research waste (toxins, infectious organisms, genetically engineered microorganisms) prior to discharge to solid or liquid waste streams.
This section should be completed per individual laboratory protocol. Consult with the Biosafety Officer, 6-7429.
4.2 Describe the institutional waste management program, include any agreements for connection to municipal sewer systems and any specific provisions for dealing with laboratory effluent and wastes.
The University of Illinois at Chicago's (UIC) waste management program is designed to ensure UIC waste discharges meet all federal, state and local environmental regulations. Non-regulated wastewaters from UIC labs are discharged into the local sewer system and comply with the Sewage and Waste Control Ordinance administered by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Non regulated municipal solid waste is disposed in appropriate landfills by Facilities Management and local waste haulers. Wastes defined as hazardous, special, pathological or radioactive are not discharged in regulated quantities.
5.0 MEDICAL SUPPORT
5.1 Identify (name and address) the emergency medical facility that provides local support to the institution, and any specific treatment resources for hazards unique to the proposed research. Identify institutional personnel (office and title(s)) who have been designated as points of contact for advanced treatment resources and consultation.
All injured employees MUST promptly report to:
Emergency Services
University of Illinois at Chicago Hospital
1740 W. Taylor Street
Chicago, IL 60612-7220
Telephone (312)996-3759
UIC Hospital is prepared to give emergency treatment for occupational injuries, illnesses, or exposures. Referrals to other physicians may be made by the staff. If necessary, the UIC Police will transport injured employees to Emergency Services. If necessary, the Chicago Fire Department paramedics are contacted to transport the patient.
5.2 Describe the routine medical monitoring/occupational health program and process by which the results of the programs are reviewed. Identify the program provider (office and individual official title) and frequency of monitoring.
All University of Illinois at Chicago employees are required to receive a medical evaluation prior to employment. If an individual is working with a hazardous substance, he or she may be medically evaluated on a periodic basis to determine possible chemical exposures. If an individual requires respiratory protection, he or she will receive an additional health evaluation before the respirator is issued. All employee physical evaluations are provided by the University Health Service by a medical doctor. The occupational physician will determine the frequency of monitoring individuals who work with hazardous chemicals in areas where engineering controls cannot limit the limits of exposure.
For more information concerning occupational health programs, contact the
Department of Occupational Medicine
School of Public Health
University of Illinois at Chicago
2121 W. Taylor St.
Chicago, IL 60612
312-996-7880
6. Department of Defense (DOD) Grants
The procedure for obtaining a signature on the "Certificate of Environmental Compliance" forms for DOD grants is as follows:
1. Allow two weeks
for this approval process. After reading the information below, contact heather9@uic.edu or call Heather Jackson at 3-9706 to schedule a visit. Provide the name of
the PI, laboratory building and room number(s), department, and contact information.
2. The Assistant
Director for Chemical Safety (ADCS) will review the most recent laboratory audit
performed for the space that will be utilized for the research. All violations
should be corrected. In cases involving departmental investment, such as installation
of eyewashes or safety showers, an indication of how the department plans to
meet these requirements shall be provided. The ADCS will verify that corrective
action has been made. If an audit was not performed in the last year, the ADCS
will schedule a new audit prior to signing the
forms.
3. In all cases
the following will be verified:
a. The most recent
version of the UIC Chemical Hygiene Plan should be accessible
and Part 3 should be completed.
b. All laboratory
personnel involved in the research, including the PI, should have updated Laboratory
Safety and Chemical Waste Management Training. This training should be completed
annually.
4. The ADCS will
discuss chemical and biohazardous waste disposal procedures for the proposed
work with the grant writer.
5. If work with
radioisotopes is proposed, the proper radioisotope permits must be obtained
from the Radiation Safety Section.
6. The signature portion of the DOD form should be completed with the following information: