[Histonet] RE: MSDS regarding waste alcohol, xylene, etc

Wed Mar 21 08:00:31 CDT 2012

We do keep "minimum volumes" of alcohol and xylene in the safety cabinet.  But we can't order so much that some are stored on the floor outside the cabinet--keep just enough that you use in a reasonable time frame.  We get alcohol in hospital, weekly, so it is not a problem.

Peggy 

Peggy Sherwood
Lab Associate, Photopathology
Wellman Center for Photomedicine (EDR 214)
Massachusetts General Hospital
50 Blossom Street
Boston, MA 02114-2696
617-724-4839 (voice mail)
617-726-6983 (lab)
617-726-1206 (fax)
msherwood <@t> partners.org

-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Henwood (SCHN) [mailto:tony.henwood <@t> health.nsw.gov.au] 
Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2012 6:36 PM
To: Sherwood, Margaret; 'Troyer, Dean A.'; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: MSDS regarding waste alcohol, xylene, etc

Good, though I can see a conflict of interest between the water authorities and fire safety authorities. 

One say keep and dispose of appropriately. The other says if you keep then store it in minimum volumes and in appropriate safety cabinets.

Now to keep both happy (as well as yourself) - that could be difficult

Regards 
Tony Henwood JP, MSc, BAppSc, GradDipSysAnalys, CT(ASC), FFSc(RCPA) 
Laboratory Manager & Senior Scientist 
Tel: 612 9845 3306 
Fax: 612 9845 3318 
the children's hospital at westmead
Cnr Hawkesbury Road and Hainsworth Street, Westmead
Locked Bag 4001, Westmead NSW 2145, AUSTRALIA 

-----Original Message-----
From: Sherwood, Margaret [mailto:MSHERWOOD <@t> PARTNERS.ORG] 
Sent: Wednesday, 21 March 2012 12:14 AM
To: Tony Henwood (SCHN); 'Troyer, Dean A.'; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: MSDS regarding waste alcohol, xylene, etc

I thought I would add my 2 cents to this discussion.  Our hazardous waste is regulated by the State and the MWRA (Mass Water Resource Association). Basically, we cannot throw anything down the drains.  Therefore, we collect our alcohols, etc., label with hazardous waste labels, and store in special satellite accumulaton areas (usually hoods).  We have an outside waste company that collects our waste weekly.   We cannot leave hazardous waste containers (i.e. alcohol or xylene, etc.)or supplies of such outside a safety cabinet.  Therefore, we are not allowed to stockpile solutions.

Not sure what the regs are in your area.  

Peggy  

Peggy Sherwood
Lab Associate, Photopathology
Wellman Center for Photomedicine (EDR 214) Massachusetts General Hospital
50 Blossom Street
Boston, MA 02114-2696
617-724-4839 (voice mail)
617-726-6983 (lab)
617-726-1206 (fax)
msherwood <@t> partners.org

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Tony Henwood (SCHN)
Sent: Monday, March 19, 2012 6:01 PM
To: 'Troyer, Dean A.'; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] RE: MSDS regarding waste alcohol, xylene, etc

I hope that these are stored in flammable cupboards/rooms and that maximum allowable volumes are adhered to (that will definitely upset them).

As to "waste liquids must be stored within sight of where they are generated"- I hope that all safety storage requirements are adhered to since they must take precedence.

Regards
Tony Henwood JP, MSc, BAppSc, GradDipSysAnalys, CT(ASC), FFSc(RCPA) Laboratory Manager & Senior Scientist
Tel: 612 9845 3306
Fax: 612 9845 3318
the children's hospital at westmead
Cnr Hawkesbury Road and Hainsworth Street, Westmead Locked Bag 4001, Westmead NSW 2145, AUSTRALIA 

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Troyer, Dean A.
Sent: Tuesday, 20 March 2012 1:40 AM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] MSDS regarding waste alcohol, xylene, etc

We were considering ways to tidy up a hospital pathology grossing room where specimens are accessioned, grossed, and frozen sections performed.  There is one tissue processor in the room.  
The room has only one doorway and has no windows.

Several large plastic jugs of liquid waste (alcohols, xylene) are retained within the room for weekly pick up by a waste disposal service.

It was suggested that the waste jugs take up valuable floor space and might be stored in an adjacent room, equally well ventilated, where additional tissue processors are located.

One of our laboratory supervisors indicated that the waste jugs could not be stored outside the room because "waste liquids must be stored within site of where they are generated".  

I believe the MSDS sheets/regulations were cited, but not sure.

Is there experience with regulations that address this?  It seems counterintuitive to store flammable liquids in a room such as this with a number of people there all day and evenings.  Particularly if there is an option of storing them in an adjacent room with releatively fewer personnel.

Dean Troyer

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