Liquid Nitrogen & Dry Ice There is a liquid nitrogen tank near the Biology Stores for anyone to use. This liquid is very cold! Do not forget to wear the supplied heavy gloves and face shield; turn the release valve slowly (the one with the attached metal hose). Be careful not to spill or inhale. Enter your record in the nearby log book, as indicated. This also applies when you take the dry ice located in the loading dock. There is a charge for both liquid nitrogen and dry ice. Autoclaved Waste To all Stewart lab personnel: where autoclaved material is produced, revised procedures are as follows. Yellow bins will only be used in the McIntyre, Bellini and Goodman Cancer Centre. All other buildings instead, including the Stewart, will be using the boxes as noted in the picture below, for the disposal of autoclaved waste.
Natural Gas When dealing with equipment that use natural gas, such as Bunsen burners, make sure that the valves are turned off completely when you are done. Always double check before leaving a room. If you smell the gas, you must investigate the source immediately. If unable to find the leak, contact Facilities Management at (514) 398-4555 to have someone come over as quickly as possible. At night or on weekends, call emergency (514) 398-3000. Carcinogens The following substances are controlled as carcinogens by the U.S. department of Labour:
Please refer to your Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for proper use and handling. |
Chemical inventory requirements for all McGill labs
Please note that all McGill labs are required to prepare and maintain a chemical inventory that is updated annually. MSDS paper documents are no longer necessary for those who have an electronic version.
You can obtain the Chemical Inventory by going to the EHS - MyLab website and entering your McGill User Name and Password. This is provided that your lab has migrated to the MyLab system and that your supervisor has given you access to the system on the web. To request access for additional users, the PI should contact Parisa Parang (Tel.: -8778) at EHS.
If you maintain multiple labs, then you only need to create one inventory but should indicate where each item is stored. Keep your inventory with the MSDS collection. Integration with McGill Marketplace will soon follow.
Questions, feedback or suggestions should be directed to the MyLab team: mylab.EHS@mcgill.ca
Suggested segregation of chemical storage
Hoods and cabinets Always check the performance of a fume hood before using it. A piece of tissue hanging on the bottom of the hood's door should be moving inwards when the sash door is closed at 2/3 of the way down. Some highly hazardous products, such as perchloric acid, can only be used in a "wash down fume hood" especially designed to handle this kind of chemical. Ask the room owner for permission and instruction on how to use it. Keep the fume hood uncluttered, overstocking disturbs the airflow and puts you in danger. WARNING ! NOT ALL HOODS ARE FUME HOODS ! There are different types of hoods to work in:
Chemical fume hoods are enclosed units with a sliding sash. They protect the operator from heavy vapors while working with hazardous chemicals by exhausting the fumes through a duct that goes outside the building. This system will work optimally if you bring the sash down at least 2/3 of the way; the narrower the opening, the swifter the air... |
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LOCATION OF FUME HOODS:
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LOCATION OF BIOLOGICAL SAFETY CABINETS:
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Eye and face protection: students, staff, faculty and visitors must wear appropriate eye and/or facial protection in all areas where:
Lab Coats: Appropriate protective clothing (e.g. lab coats, aprons, coveralls) is required in all areas where hazardous materials are handled (e.g. laboratories and workshops) For more information, please refer to the Personal Protective Equipment |
Would you like to get rid of old electronic/laboratory/scrap metal scrap metal equipment / and don’t know how?
Waste is subdivided into the following categories. For details on waste disposal procedures and appropriate waste containers, you must refer to: http://www.mcgill.ca/hwm/
If your laboratory is located in the Stewart Building, the 20 liters white & yellow bulk waste containers must be brought down by the users to the “Storage Area for Chemical and Radioactive Waste” in room N3/19D. The key to that room can be obtained through the Biology Receiving and the waste must be logged into their book. If your laboratory is NOT located in the Stewart, you must follow your own building instructions. In limited cases and ONLY upon Waste Management approval the waste material can be poured back into its original container provided the label is intact and that the container is clearly labeled as “WASTE”
Biomedical waste must be segregated according to the above categories and disposed of frequently. If your laboratory is located in the Stewart Building, your waste must be brought to the loading dock cold room that is designated as “Biohazard Waste” room (N3/19B). You must record your waste into the designated book at the Biology Stores and ask the storekeeper to hand you the key. If your laboratory is NOT located in the Stewart, you must follow your own building instructions.
Unknowns are not accepted. Service is free of charge. If you have further questions please contact McGill Waste Management at (514) 398-5066.
For more information, please visit the Waste Management Program website or phone (514) 398-5066. They are located in the McIntyre Medical Sciences Building (Room 129); or e-mail Christian Bouchard (Manager) at christian.bouchard@mcgill.ca. |