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Policy No: 2087
Responsible Office: Safety & Environmental Compliance
Last Review Date: 03/16/2022
Next Required Review: 03/16/2027
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Disposition of Potentially Hazardous Property
1. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to define specific requirements for the disposition of any movable property located on any University of South Alabama campus, including but not limited to that property owned by the University or State, that may pose safety or environmental risks.
2. Applicability
This policy applies to all University facilities and department on any of the University of South Alabama campuses involved with declaring the above-described property as surplus (available for sale) or moving the property off campus.
3. Definitions
Hazardous Property: Property or equipment purchased by or transferred to the University which has at least one of the following characteristics will be considered hazardous until proven otherwise:
• The property has been used as an actual storage container for chemical, biological, or radiological materials;
• Has labeling or evidence that indicates the item was utilized in conjunction with chemical, biological, or radiological research and requires decontamination prior to transfer to surplus or removal from University property (grounds);
• Presents an inherent hazard by design or function that would create a hazardous atmosphere, safety, or health hazard if handled by untrained individuals;
• Has been deemed unsafe based on product recalls or alerts;
• Is diagnostic medical equipment that is either defective or cannot be repaired;
• Examples of such potentially hazardous property or equipment include, but are not limited to:
o Incubators o Radiation counters
o Nitrogen cylinders o Freezers
o Heating ovens o Mattresses
o Refrigerators o X-ray equipment
o Cold boxes o Centrifuge
o Laser equipment o Biological hoods
o Chemical hoods o Shaker baths
o Defibrillator units o Autoclaves
o Transport coolers o Lab blenders
o Animal cages
4. Policy Guidelines
4.1 Preparation of the Property Prior to Transfer to Surplus or Relocation
4.1.1 Property transaction forms must be completed with appropriate signatures prior to the transfer or disposal of any property as defined by the Property Control Office.
4.1.2 Hospitals and satellite campuses are to follow the policies as established by their facilities. Property which possesses one of the characteristics discussed above shall be transferred or disposed under the direction of the facility’s Safety Officer.
4.1.3 Department or individuals presenting property for disposition will be responsible for ensuring all necessary paperwork and decontamination has been completed prior to the removal of the property.
4.1.4 Property containing refrigerants, lubricants and/or chemicals will require purging prior to removal. Contact the appropriate maintenance department to coordinate the purging process. Lubricants or chemicals removed from property or equipment are to be collected and disposed through established waste streams.
4.1.5 Refer to Radiation Safety guidelines for contained radioactive sources or property that has been utilized in conjunction with radioactive materials.
4.2 Disposal or Relocation
Once all the preparation work has been completed, contact assigned movers. This will traditionally be the Environmental Services Department in the hospitals and Moving Services for all other University locations. Employees assigned to handle the property should treat the item as potentially hazardous and take the precautions necessary to protect themselves. If the property can be destroyed or dismantled prior to disposal this should be attempted to prevent any salvage attempts by outside interest.
5. Procedures
N/A
6. Enforcement
This policy is enforced by Property and Inventory Management. Non-compliance may result in violations of state or federal law pertaining to handling of hazardous property, equipment or materials. University faculty and staff will be subject to disciplinary action per Faculty Handbook or Staff Employee Handbook, respectively.