Energy Technologies Area

SAFETY ALERTSeptember 19, 2018

Waste Management Inside Glove Boxes Hazards: Improper management of hazardous waste

All wastes generated inside glove boxes must be managed as either hazardous or non-hazardous as soon as they are generated. Lithium scrap, spent electrolyte and chemically-contaminated gloves/wipes are common hazardous wastes generated inside glove boxes. To ensure compliance with waste regulations, consider the following:

1. Will my gloves and wipes come into contact with metals, solvents or other chemicals that might make them toxic waste?

2. Will I generate any solvent liquid wastes that will be ignitable? 3. Will I be handling lithium metal pieces or other chemicals that will be reactive hazardous

waste?4. Will I be using liquids that are acidic (pH ≤ 2) or basic (≥ 12.5) that will be corrosive waste?

If hazardous waste will be generated, ensure that there is a waste container with a completed red hazardous waste label affixed prior to starting work.

When your task is completed inside the glove box, place any hazardous waste immediately into a labeled container and close the container. Keep the container closed unless adding waste.

If the waste is NOT toxic, ignitable, corrosive or reactive, place the non-hazardous trash into containers that are clearly marked “Non-Hazardous.” You may use pre-printed “Non-Hazardous Trash” labels that are available on the hallway bulletin boards or simply write “Non-Hazardous Trash” directly on the container.

Submit an on-line hazardous waste requisition within 9 months of the “SAA start date” for all hazardous waste containers in the glove box. Prior to pick-up by EH&S, transfer hazardous waste from the glove box to the designated Satellite Accumulation Area (SAA) within the lab.

LBNL Hazardous Waste requirements are found in Chapter 20 of the ES&H Manual: http://www2.lbl.gov/ehs/pub3000/CH20.html.

If you have any questions regarding disposal issues, please contact the ETA Safety Manager, Ron Scholtz at X8137.