Environment, Health, & Safety

Some of the key changes that come with the implementation of the GHS system:

• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are in a uniform 16 Section Format and are now called Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
• Manufacturers are required to provide more detailed information on their labels regarding the chemical hazards and use the GHS pictograms to convey the hazards.
• The nine GHS pictograms combine several chemical groups within the given hazard to simplify communication on the hazards.
• Training on the new GHS labeling, safe chemical procedures and practices, and other requirements for ALL employees who are covered by the Hazard Communication Standard must be completed by December 1, 2013.
• The full standard requirements came into effect June 1, 2016.

What this means for UM-Flint:
EHS revised the campus Hazard Communication Guideline to address new standard requirements.  These revisions are consistent with the recently updated UM-Ann Arbor EHS Guideline for Hazard Communication.

Supervisors of employees who work with hazardous chemicals and chemical products will need to ensure their employees attend GHS Hazard Communication Training.  Supervisors have the option of scheduling a training class with EHS for their employees on a date and time that is convenient for them.  Send an email to [email protected] to schedule a class.

NEW, departments that use and store chemicals will need to have their own written hazard communication program. The good news is that there is an easy-to-use template in the UM-Flint Campus Hazard Communication (HAZCOM) Guideline (See Appendix G). EHS needs to review all departmental Hazard Communication Programs.

Ballast Waste

Generators of ballast waste are required to comply with rules and regulations promulgated by federal, state and local regulatory agencies. The Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) specifies disposal requirements; the Department of Transportation requires compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations during the transportation of hazardous materials; the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality licenses, inspects and regulates generators, haulers and disposal facilities handling waste.

UM-Flint stores the spent lamp ballast waste within the HazMat Building located in the Hubbard Building parking lot. Facilities and Operations (F&O) contacts EHS at 810-766-6763 when the waste has to be picked up and disposed of properly.  

The safety guidelines and regulations presented are intended to help generators comply with governmental regulations designed to protect human health and the environment. Strict compliance with these regulations ensures the waste is managed, transported, and disposed of safely and properly, reducing potential liability to the University.

• All makes and types of ballasts are collected as part of the ballast collection/recycling program.
• Remove the ballast from the lighting fixture and place it in the properly labeled container.
• Keep the lid closed on the ballast pail or drum at all times.
• A yellow Universal Waste label must be affixed to the pail or drum. Fill out the label, including the “Accumulation Start Date.” The accumulation start date is the first day that you begin filling the container with ballasts.
• All ballasts must be shipped for recycling within one year of the accumulation start date. However, ballasts should only be accumulated for 10 months or less to ensure compliance.
• All light bulbs should be handled and disposed of separately from ballasts.
• Place any leaking ballast(s) in a sealed bag and place in a separate, properly labeled closed container.
• Contact EHS at: 810-766-6763 when you are ready to have your ballast drums collected.

Battery Waste

Generators of battery waste are required to comply with rules and regulations promulgated by federal, state and local regulatory agencies. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) specifies disposal requirements; the Department of Transportation requires compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations during transportation of hazardous materials; the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality licenses, inspects and regulates generators, haulers and disposal facilities handling waste.

The safety guidelines and procedures presented are intended to help generators comply with governmental regulation designed to protect human health and the environment. Strict compliance with these regulations ensures the waste is managed, transported, and disposed of safely and properly while reducing potential liability to the university.

• All battery types and sizes are accepted in EHS’s Hazardous Waste Management Program battery collection/recycling program.
• All battery pails must have a green “Universal Waste” label affixed to the container.
• Fill out the label, including the “Accumulation Start Date.” The accumulation start date is the first day that you begin filling the container with batteries.
• All batteries must be sent for recycling within one year of the accumulation start date. However, batteries should only be accumulated for 10 months or less to ensure compliance.
• After a battery is spent, tape both contact terminals, place the battery in the white pail and replace the lid.
• Once the pail becomes 2/3 to 3/4 full, contact EHS at: 810-766-6763 to request collection of the batteries. Replacement piles can be delivered when the full pail is collected.
• For collections of lead-acid batteries, batteries too large to fit in the pails, or the collection of an extremely large number of batteries at once, please contact EHS at: 810-766-6763 to arrange for a special collection.
• All waste batteries are to be stored within the HazMat Building until the scheduled waste pick-up dates that are coordinated with Facilities and Operations (F&O).

Biohazardous Waste

Generators of biohazardous waste are required to comply with rules and regulations promulgated by federal, state and local regulatory agencies. The Michigan Medical Waste Regulatory Act regulates the generation, storage, treatment, and disposal of medical waste and administers the Medical Waste Regulatory Program covering medical waste-producing facilities. The Department of Transportation requires compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Requirements during transportation of regulated medical waste and the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth regulates occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious material and waste disposal.

The safety guidelines, regulations and procedures presented are intended to help generators comply with governmental rules and regulations designed to protect human health and the environment. Strict compliance with these regulations ensures the waste is managed, transported, and disposed of safely and properly while reducing potential liability to the university.

All containers of biohazardous waste must have a “Biohazard Label” attached. Containers and labels can be ordered through EHS at 810-766-6763. When waste accumulation begins, the accumulation start date must be written on the label. The accumulation start date is the date the waste is first generated. All biohazardous waste must be treated or sent for disposal through EHS within 60 days.

2016 Bloodborne Pathogens UM-Flint Guidelines

Bulb Waste

Generators of bulb waste are required to comply with rules and regulations promulgated by federal, state and local regulatory agencies. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) specifies disposal requirements and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality licenses, inspects and regulates generators, and disposal facilities handling waste.

The safety guidelines, regulations and procedures presented are intended to help generators comply with governmental rules and regulations designed to protect human health and the environment. Strict compliance with these regulations ensures the waste is managed, transported and disposed of safely and properly while reducing potential liability to the university.

All types and sizes of bulbs are accepted by EHS.

All bulbs should be carefully packaged to prevent breakage.

Bulbs must be kept in a secure, dry location.

All bulb containers must have a “Bulb Label” affixed to the container. Fill out the label, including the “Accumulation Start Date.” The accumulation start date is the first day you begin filling the container with bulbs, including the building name and type/quantity of bulbs in the container.

Labels are available through EHS.

Stack boxes so that the label is clearly visible during storage.

Bulbs may not be accumulated for longer than one year. Bulbs should only be accumulated for 10 months or less to ensure compliance.

Chemical Waste

Generators of hazardous waste are required to comply with extensive and complex rules and regulations promulgated by federal, state and local regulatory agencies. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) requires a “cradle to grave” system of accounting for hazardous waste; the Department of Transportation requires compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations during transportation of hazardous waste; the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality licenses, inspects and regulates generators, haulers and disposal facilities handling hazardous waste.

The safety guidelines, regulations and procedures presented are intended to help generators comply with governmental rules and regulations designed to protect human health and the environment. Strict compliance with these regulations ensures the waste is managed, transported, and disposed of safely and properly while reducing potential liability to the university.

Use waste containers that are in good condition to ensure that your waste is safely contained while in your possession and during transport.

Attach a completed University of Michigan – Flint “Hazardous Waste” label to your container. This helps emergency responders identify your waste containers quickly.

Keep all containers closed except when adding waste to prevent accidental spills and evaporation.

Contact EHS at 810-766-6763 within 60 days of the accumulation start date to schedule a pick-up to ensure that waste is disposed of before 90 days.

Have waste labels visible for inspection.

Provide adequate secondary containment for waste containers so that if your container starts to leak, the spill can be limited from spreading and making the contamination problems larger.

Identify all chemicals and document them on the waste label and manifest so that all of the waste constituents in your container can be identified. This provides guidance for those people handling and disposing of the waste as to what hazards may be involved. It also helps emergency responders know what steps to take if they have to respond to an incident involving your waste.

Store waste in a secure location. Ensure it is protected from exposure to weather, vandalism and unauthorized access.

Electronic Waste/E-Waste

Generators of waste consumer electronics (e-waste) are required to comply with rules and regulations promulgated by federal, state and local regulatory agencies. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) specifies disposal requirements and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality licenses, inspects and regulates generators and disposal facilities handling waste.

The safety guidelines, regulations and procedures presented are intended to help generators comply with governmental rules and regulations designed to protect human health and the environment. Strict compliance with these regulations ensures the waste is managed, transported, and disposed of safely and properly while reducing potential liability to the university.

Property Disposition is responsible for the accountable disposal of University of Michigan property designated as surplus by University departments. They may recycle, sell, or dispose of surplus. Occasionally, Property Disposition will direct the department to EHS to arrange the disposal of electronics that have no value. Such electronics are then considered e-waste.

Containers of e-waste must have a “Universal Waste” label affixed and filled out.

All e-waste must be sent for recycling within one year of the accumulation start date. However, e-waste should only be accumulated for 10 months or less to ensure compliance.

For labels, collections or questions, contact EHS at 810-766-6763.

Sanitary Drain Disposal Restrictions

The following criteria must be met prior to disposing of any wastewater into the sanitary sewer system:

• All wastes must comply with the limits established in the Flint Sewer Use Ordinance
• Liquids Only
• No RCRA hazardous wastes
• No Michigan hazardous wastes or Liquid Industrial By-Products
• No radioactive wastes
• No untreated biohazardous wastes

Property Disposition

The Property Disposition Office at the University of Michigan is responsible for the accountable disposal of all University of Michigan Flint property, designated as surplus by university departments. Property Disposition’s mission is to recycle, sell or dispose of surplus to the best advantage of the university.