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Laboratory safety programs apply across many, if not all, campus laboratories. They are developed to ensure the health and safety of university members and to ensure regulatory compliance. The programs also set out the university's program-specific requirements as well as support education and training. The SFU Laboratory safety manual assembles key information from the SFU Laboratory safety program in a single document.
Decommissioning
Are you preparing to decommission a lab or piece of equipment?
Follow the decommissioning guide below and ensure that you complete the required checklists and post clearance notices. Contact EHS for assistance at any time in the decommissioning process.
Laboratory decommissioning
Laboratory decommissioning is required any time laboratory space is being vacated, whether the laboratory is changing hands or preparing for renovations.
When decommissioning a laboratory, the principal investigator (PI) is responsible for leaving a clean, empty space with no chemical, biohazard, or radioactive contamination. EHS has developed a checklist to aid in this decommissioning process. When complete, the PI and departmental laboratory manager or equivalent are required to sign the checklist. It should be kept on file with the department.
Equipment decommissioning
When a piece of equipment will be removed from a laboratory either for service, storage, or disposal, a full decommissioning process must be carried out. At no point during transport, disassembly or repair should personnel be exposed to hazardous material.
This process can be more intensive than a simple surface decontamination. Where reagent flow lines are in place, they should be fully flushed with an appropriate solvent, followed by a water rinse and a final drying. All rinsing solutions should be collected as hazardous waste and lines should be completely dry before disassembly and/or servicing begins.
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