Hazardous Waste Container Storage Area
You should designate an isolated portion of your laboratory as a hazardous waste storage area. Laboratories with multiple rooms may designate one hazardous waste accumulation area for all rooms as long as hazardous waste will not have to be transported in or across a hallway or through any area that is not controlled by the lab. Hazardous wastes must be stored with secondary containment so that spills cannot reach sink, hood, or floor drains. Incompatible hazardous wastes must be segregated to prevent reaction. Segregation methods include storing in separate cabinets, storing in separate hoods, or storing in separate secondary containment containers such as 5-gallon buckets or tubs. Please refer to your laboratory's Chemical Hygiene Plan or the VEHS Fact Sheet "Laboratory Activation Guide" for guidelines on segregating chemicals by hazard class. Post a copy of the "Hazardous Chemical Waste Accumulation Area Reference Sign" in your waste storage area to provide a quick reference for these procedures.