Chemical Transport From Storage Rooms

Laboratories will at times need to transport chemicals from chemical storage facilities to their laboratory.  Laboratory personnel must be trained and adhere to the following procedures when transporting chemicals:

  • Contact the EHS Chemical Hygiene Officer at 617-353-7614, or Chemical Safety Officer at 617-353-4941 for guidance before moving chemicals that are reactive, explosive, or may become unstable when taken out of recommended storage conditions.
  • DO NOT move expired peroxide-formers (e.g., ethers), chemicals in containers that are corroded or damaged, chemicals in containers with missing lids, or any unknown/unlabeled containers. Contact EHS for disposal of these chemicals.
  • Training: laboratory personnel transporting chemicals must have completed the following training:
    • SciShield® Chemical Safety Training
    • SciShield® Laboratory Safety Training
    • SciShield® Biosafety Level 1 & 2 training (if biologicals will be transported)
  • Use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including lab coats, appropriate disposable gloves, and goggles made available.
    • Gloves should not be worn when handling elevator buttons or door handles.
  • Spill kit must be on the cart when transporting.
  • When transporting multiple containers, use a transport cart that is leak-proof, cleanable, and with a 2-inch lip (minimum) on all four sides to prevent the containers from sliding off.
  • When transporting chemicals on a cart, secondary containment bins must be used.
  • Additional containment bins can be requested through a SciShield® waste pickup request in any text field using any profile you currently have. Simply indicate the number and size of containments, and that you do not require any waste to be collected.
  • Ensure all containers are in good condition and properly sealed before transport.
  • When a container is carried by hand, ensure that the container has been checked for proper seal and that it is clearly labeled according to the GHS standard and packaged within another tightly sealed, clean, leak-proof, shatter-proof container OR packaged as it was when first shipped to the laboratory.
  • Concentrated acids and other hazardous chemicals must only be transported to and from the storage area using a cart and secondary containment.
  • If incompatibles must be transported together, segregate them from one another using secondary containment bins.
  • Use a freight elevator when transporting.   DO NOT use a freight elevator if crowded.  Use ungloved hand to operate the elevator button.  Stairs should not be used when transporting.
  • Chemicals in transport must never be left unattended. DO NOT leave chemicals in corridors, offices, or other non-laboratory areas.
  • Be prepared to take immediate actions in the event of a spill. Notify those in the immediate area of the chemical spill and notify the Control Center at (617-353-2105).  Assist by controlling the area until help arrives.
  • If a chemical bottle breaks inside the elevator, block the door open with the cart until the spill can be safely cleaned. This way other passengers are not exposed to the chemical when they call the elevator.  Note- this will cause the elevator to fault, and control should be notified that elevator service company may need to check the status of the elevator.

    Recommended Secondary Containers

    • Commercially available bottle carriers made of rubber, metal, or plastic, with a carrying handle,
    • resistant to the chemical being transported and,
    • able to hold the contents of the chemical container in the event of breakage.

    Solvent Room Storage

    Solvent Handling

    • No cardboard boxes in the flammable cabinets. DO NOT store solvents directly into the storage cabinet in their original shipping packaging.  Remove them from packaging promptly upon delivery.
    • Work in the hood when pouring, pumping, or transferring solvents between containers. Ensure that solvent containers are grounded when transferring solvents in the hood.
    • Deface empty solvent cans, kegs, and bottles and bring them to the compactor in the loading dock area once dried. DO NOT leave them in the hood.

    Room Maintenance

    • Remove all trash in the waste receptacle.
    • Place waste receptacle outside the room for custodial staff disposal. Place the waste receptacle back into the room after being emptied.
    • Remove all packaging and shipping materials to the compactor in the loading dock area.
    • The solvent room is a shared space. Ensure to maintain it free from clutter.