Environmental Health and Safety
Laboratory Decommissioning Procedures Checklist
This checklist will facilitate the process of laboratory closure when a Principal Investigator is
permanently vacating, relocating or renovating lab space. Laboratories covered under this checklist will
handle biohazardous materials, chemicals and nuclear substances.
The Principal Investigator is responsible to the University for the safe use of such materials by all
persons under their supervision. Further, the Principal Investigator is responsible for the security of these
materials from the time they enter the laboratory until they are safely and properly disposed of.
There are detailed decommissioning plans required for current nuclear substance laboratories (see policy
in Radiation Safety Manual and for chemical laboratories as outlined in the Laboratory Chemical
Safety Manual available on the EH&S web site at http://safety.dal.ca/resources/.
Renovations may not begin, nor may a new researcher take possession of the laboratory until closeout
has been approved by the Environmental Health & Safety Office. A copy of this checklist must be
posted on the laboratory door.
If the Environmental Health & Safety is called to decommission a laboratory in the case of an
abandoned laboratory, the department in question may be invoiced for this service and any subsequent
disposal costs.
Environmental Health and Safety •1391 Seymour Street • Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2
902.494.2495 • (FAX) 902.494.2996 • Safety.Office@Dal.Ca • www.dal.ca/safety
“We Share the Air” - Dalhousie is a Scent-Free / Smoke-Free Environment
Laboratory Decommissioning Procedures Checklist
Principal Investigator: _________________________
Building: ___________________________________ Room #: ____________________
Hazardous Materials:
Date Completed or N/A
Chemicals
Inform the Chemical Safety Officer of your intended move
Evaluate all chemicals for transfer or waste disposal
Ensure all chemicals are properly labelled (WHMIS)
Consult with Chemical Safety Officer if materials will be transferred to another
facility
Transfer surplus chemicals to other Dalhousie Principal Investigators
Dispose of waste chemicals through the Chemical Safety Officer
Return gas cylinders to supplier, or via hazardous waste disposal
Nuclear Substances
Inform the Radiation Safety Officer of your intended move
Transfer surplus stocks or sealed sources to another authorized user
Dispose of all waste nuclear substances through the RSO
Wipe test and decontaminate where necessary (attach records)
Remove all radioactive signage and posters
Biohazardous materials
Inform the Biosafety Officer of your intended move
Ensure the decontamination of BSC’s
Dispose of biohazardous materials through autoclaving
Transfer surplus stock to another authorized user
Clean and disinfect lab surfaces and equipment
If transferring materials to an off campus location ensure that required PHAC,
CFIA and TDG regulations are met
Housekeeping
Hazardous identification signage has been removed from door
Ensure that no garbage, residues or debris remains in lab
Clean and decontaminate all room surfaces, fume hoods, and equipment
Arrange for disposal of equipment through appropriate department
Shared Storage Areas
Dispose of all material in shared storage areas
Amend contact information on shared equipment
Transfer of responsibility to (describe particulars):
Keys and Identification Cards
Return all keys to Departmental office
Return all identification tags to Security Services
Environmental Health and Safety •1459 Oxford Street • Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2
902.494.2495 • (FAX) 902.494.2996 • Safety.Office@Dal.Ca • www.dal.ca/safety
“We Share the Air” - Dalhousie is a Scent-Free / Smoke-Free Environment
Laboratory Decommissioning Procedures Checklist
Departmental Sign-Off
Department: _____________________________
Principal Investigator:
Name: __________________________________
Signature: _______________________________
Date: ______________________
Department Head:
Name: __________________________________
Signature: _______________________________
Date: ______________________
EH&S Sign-Off
Chemical Safety Officer
Name: ________________________________
Signature: _____________________________
Date: ______________________
Radiation Safety Officer
Name: _______________________________
Signature: ____________________________
Date: ______________________
Biosafety Officer
Name: _______________________________
Signature: ____________________________
Date: ______________________
Director:
Name:________________________________
Signature: _____________________________
Date:_______________________
Notification/Decommissioning Completed
Facilities Management: □ yes
□ no
Department: □ yes □ no
Building Administration: □ yes □ no
Date: ____________________
Environmental Health and Safety •1391 Seymour Street • Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2
902.494.2495 • (FAX) 902.494.2996 • Safety.Office@Dal.Ca • www.dal.ca/safety
“We Share the Air” - Dalhousie is a Scent-Free / Smoke-Free Environment
Environmental Health and Safety •1459 Oxford Street • Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2
902.494.2495 • (FAX) 902.494.2996 • Safety.Office@Dal.Ca • www.dal.ca/safety
“We Share the Air” - Dalhousie is a Scent-Free / Smoke-Free Environment