Environmental Engineering Lab Manager - Job Manual
(Amy, Silverstein & Summers Labs)
This job entails, on average, 10 hours of work per week
Direct Lab Member & Advisor Relations
1) Conduct a lab orientation for all new researchers (use “Lab User Information
Manual”)
2) Manage all situations, physical (i.e. lab space) or personal, that affect others in the lab
or the lab itself [Notify Scott Summers of issues for Summers Lab]. Space issues
between labs should be handled via the professors.
3) Notify the lab of building problems that will affect the lab
4) Ensure fair distribution of refrigerator space [Not Summers Lab].
5) Ensure fair allocation of desk space in the lab (taking into account degree level, years
of time here and need). Work with the research advisors before assigning space.
6) Maintain the “Environmental Engineering Research Phone List”. Distribute to all the
appropriate labs, offices, professors and staff.
7) Ensure a positive relationship with the structures lab Lab Manager (This is where
many power tools come from and they handle many other needs)
8) Provide a list of larger budget physical lab needs (equipment, infrastructure, etc.) to
Amy, Silverstein & Summers on a bi-annual basis (January & July)
9) Ensure that people clean up their work area, redistribute chemicals and haz waste
there waste when they leave permanently.
Health & Safety
10) Ensure all lab researchers have attended the ES&H “Initial Haz Mat Training
Seminar” or have taken the annual refresher test.
11) Manage the hazardous waste generated in the lab and handle the pick up by ES&H.
Keep a supply of waste generation tags in the two “Lab Safety” drawers (“Hazardous
Materials/Waste”, “Non-Biohazardous Certification Tag”, and “Hazardous Waste”
labels.)
12) Keep a yearly updated general chemical inventory for ES&H. They in turn make sure
that the hazard placards are kept up to date.
13) Ensure the autoclave is in compliance with ES&H
14) Ensure proper training for individuals involved with radioactive sources (Gas
Chromatograph, etc.).
15) Ensure the first aid kits, eye wash stations and showers are accessible and in working
order
Daily/Weekly Lab Maintenance
16) Manage the gas tank storage areas and handle the returns of empty cylinders.
Flammable & oxidizer gasses can not be stored together.
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- each individual is responsible for filling out the return sheet for their cylinders. Lab
Manager calls in pick-ups
17) Maintain the DI systems
18) Maintain the MQ systems
19) Empty the broken glass containers when full (goes to the dumpster)
20) Ensure the janitors are taking out the trash & sweeping the floors (every Tuesday &
Thursday). Patricia (2-3930) is the contact for the janitors. Trash cans are handled by
Ed at facilities management (2-5321, edward.vonbleichert@colorado.edu).
21) There are two catalog shelves. The main catalog shelf is in the Amy lab. There is a
smaller selection of the more used catalogs in the Summers lab. Keep the catalog
inventory up to date and in alphabetical order. Write room # on the catalogs so they
stay put.
22) Ensure all doors are locked at 5:00 if you are around
Monthly Lab Maintenance
23) Maintain general lab supplies consisting of, but are not limited to the following:
- Paper towels
- tools
- Hand soap
- lab tape (limited)
- Powdered soap for glassware
- pH paper (limited)
- Kim wipes
- balance supplies
- Latex gloves (non-powdered)
- safety glasses
- Parafilm
- baking soda & sodium hydroxide
Lab supplies are kept in the designated cabinet in the instrument lab & Summers lab.
24) Ensure that all equipment has a responsible person for its maintenance or maintain it
yourself [Only track changes for Summers Lab]
25) Ensure that experiment and equipment procedures are recorded, updated and are
available for all major experiments via the “Environmental Engineering Labs
website”. Keep an electronic copy of all of these in your files.
26) Ensure that equipment user manuals are properly filed/stored and available. These are
located in the Amy, Silverstein, and Summers lab file cabinets.
27) Ensure the HVAC system and lights are working. Call the Building Proctor, Araceli
Warren 2-7427, for these needs.
28) When needed and able, install or repair equipment, hardware, lines etc. in the lab
29) Maintain the drying oven
30) Maintain the dry chemical storage shelves
31) Maintain the acid, base and flammable liquid, non-toxic/non-flammable liquid, and
toxic/non-flammable liquid/solid storage areas
32) Maintain the storage room downstairs
33) Maintain the lab manager binder & file cabinet drawer (located in Amy lab)
34) Turn in the “gas cylinder accounting sheets” to Zoe.
35) Maintain tool drawers, miscellaneous stuff cabinet, and parts drawers.
36) Ensure recycling bins are emptied when full by calling CU recycling for
pickup 2-5321.
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Monthly Office Maintenance
37) Ensure the office area is kept clean and in compliance with department office
standards.
38) Ensure the lights are working. Call the Building Proctor, Araceli Warren 2-7427, for
replacement.
Yearly Lab Maintenance
39) Have floors cleaned & waxed by janitors, coordinate with Patricia (2-3930). This is
free once per year and is usually performed over winter break.
40) Replace the MQ cartridges and tape the “date replaced” on the cartridge housing.
Order from Millipore,
“Milli-Q UF Pyrogen-Free Ultrapure Cartridge Kit”, part # “CFUF01204” ($275).
Property Management
41) When new equipment shows up in the lab that is worth more than $5000 or the
equipment is a computer originally purchased under the faculty computer program,
contact the Department Property Manager for a property tracking tag (which he/she
should already have). An inventory is performed by the Department Property
Manager every 2 years.
42) Computers & other electronics – This equipment must be disposed through Property
Services. Consultation should be made with the Department Property Manager. The
general process is a “Equipment and Furniture Disposal Request” form must be
submitted to Property Services and they come pick up the equipment. Any tagged
equipment must be properly transferred via appropriate paperwork.
Items to do upon change of Lab Manager
1) Change contact info as “alternate safety contact” on the radioactive source license
with ES&H.
2) Change name on all emergency contact labels on lab and office doors.
3) Let department safety officer know of lab manager change.
4) Familiarize the new lab manager with all aspects of the job.
5) Give an electronic copy of the “Environmental Engineering Research Phone List”, all
experiment and equipment procedures, lab manager job description, lab user
information manual to Amy, Silverstein & Summers and the next lab manager to help
ensure these records get passed on and saved. Each professor will have a dedicated
CD for this information. This provides a backup for the files located on the website.
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