How to Get a Decontamination Clearance for Equipment or Facilities

Last updated October 21, 2009 11:03:25 AM PDT

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Follow the steps below to get a decontamination clearance for equipment and facilities.

Equipment: 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.
Facilities: Research facilities must be inspected and posted with an EH&S green tag before undergoing service, repairs, or remodeling.

Equipment in contact with radioactive material or with 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.).
- If equipment includes a freezer, follow instructions for properly defrosting a research freezer (PDF).
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

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.
- If equipment includes a freezer, follow instructions for properly defrosting a research freezer (PDF).
- See Summary of Disinfectants for recommended disinfectants, their uses, and requirements.
- Read Biosafety: Decontamination Methods for Laboratory Use for more information.
- If you have questions about appropriate decontamination procedures, contact the EH&S Research Assistance Program specialist for your building.
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 includes a freezer, follow instructions for properly defrosting a research freezer (PDF).
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.

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.
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.
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.