Faculty and Staff

How to Get a Decontamination Clearance for Equipment or Facilities

Last updated August 25, 2009 2:17:35 PM PDT
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Follow the steps below to get a decontamination clearance for equipment and facilities.

Equipment that may have come in contact with radioactive, biohazardous, or chemical materials must be decontaminated before you have it serviced, repaired, moved, sent to Surplus Sales, or otherwise disposed of. In addition, lab facilities must be inspected before undergoing service, repairs, or remodeling.

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If equipment was in contact with radioactive material or has a radioactive material label

  • Clean the item so it's free of all unassociated material (e.g., labware and chemicals found in refrigerators, freezers, fume hoods, etc.).
  • Survey the item using a radiation survey meter and wipes.
  • When the item has been decontaminated to background radiation level, use the Decontamination Clearance Request form to have Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) perform a clearance survey.
  • Items are considered free of radioactive material when an EH&S specialist:
    • Removes Radioactive Material labels
    • Attaches a Clearance label to the item

If equipment was in contact with biohazardous material, has a biohazard label, or has been used in a BSL-2 or BSL-3 lab

  • Biosafety cabinets (BSC): If a BSC (biosafety level 2 or greater) is to be moved, do the following:
    • Have the BSC gas-decontaminated by an approved vendor before the move.
    • Have the BSC recertified after it has been installed in a new location.
    • If the BSC is not being moved and repair work will not open the contaminated inner space, a surface decontamination with an appropriate disinfectant and contact time is sufficient.
    Other equipment: Clean the item by using a disinfectant and contact time known to be effective for the infectious agents contaminating the equipment.
  • Use the Decontamination Clearance Request form to have EH&S perform a clearance survey.
  • Items are considered free of biohazardous material and additional requirements and controls when an EH&S specialist:
    • Verifies the item has been disinfected
    • Removes the Biohazard symbol and labels
    • Attaches a Clearance label to the item

If equipment was in contact with hazardous chemical material

  • Wash or wipe away any visible chemical contamination.
  • If perchloric acid has been used in the chemical fume hood, notify the Chemical Safety Officer, (858) 822-1579.
  • Use the Decontamination Clearance Request form to have EH&S perform a clearance survey.
  • Items are considered free of chemical hazards when an EH&S specialist attaches a green clearance label to the item.

Request a clearance survey by EH&S before service, repair, or remodeling begins in research facilities.

  • Use the Decontamination Clearance Request form to have EH&S perform a clearance survey.
  • EH&S posts a red tag when researchers vacate a lab, to indicate decontamination and clearance procedures have begun in the facility. A red tag will still allow custodians to enter and empty regular trash.
    Red clearance card
  • EH&S posts a green clearance tag after hazards are removed, indicating the facility is safe for contractors and other non-laboratory service personnel to enter and begin work.
    Green clearance card
  • Provide contractors and other non-laboratory personnel performing work in research space with a copy of Guidelines for Non-laboratory Personnel Working in UCSD Laboratories.

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For more information, contact an EH&S Research Assistance Program specialist.

Notice: Disposal of hazardous waste using sinks, intentional evaporation, or as regular trash is against the law. Campus laboratories must abide by strict state and federal waste disposal requirements. You may be held liable for violations of applicable laws.