1. Whom can I contact?
  2. What are my responsibilities as a waste generator?
  3. Will training be required?
  4. Relevant policies, procedures, and links for additional information.
     

1.  Whom can I contact?

The Environmental Programs (EP) section of the Environmental Health & Safety Office (EHS) is responsible for facilitating compliance with pertinent environmental regulations through the management of biological, chemical, and radioactive wastes.

EHS Main Phone: (319) 335-850
Environmental Safety Program Manager: Jim Pyrz, james-pyrz@uiowa.edu(link sends e-mail), (319) 335-4625
Website:  http://ehs.research.uiowa.edu/wasteenvironmental

EP staff is responsible for collection of biological, chemical, and radioactive wastes from generator locations. The wastes are then transported, stored, managed and disposed of in compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Transportation, and the Iowa Department of Public Health requirements. Other services include:

  • conducting waste generator compliance assessments
  • facility inspections and audits, and
  • institutional waste generation and minimization assessments

The EP section is also responsible for annual reporting to the EPA for these compliance-based activities.

2.  What are my responsibilities as a waste generator?

  • Generators of chemical waste should collect waste in a suitable container, keep the container capped except to add or remove waste, label the container, store the waste properly, and contact EHS for disposal.
  • Generators of radioactive waste should place radioactive waste in appropriately labeled container, ensure they are secure, record the isotope and activity for waste placed in the containers and obtain training. (See question 3 below.)
  • Biohazardous waste must be placed in the appropriate biohazard containers, sharps placed in sharps containers. Culture plates and vials containing pathogenic organisms must be autoclaved prior to placing in biohazard containers. In most University buildings the closed containers of biohazardous waste are transported to loading docks for pick up by a contracted service.
  • Review the Waste Management Guidelines and Procedures and information on waste pickup for additional details.

3.  What are the training obligations?  Are educational resources available?

A representative of each waste generating area must receive training in hazardous and/or radioactive waste management. Follow the instructions provided here for paid or non-paid registration logins.

Select from the applicable courses below.

Hazardous Waste Management for Labs – W07HAZ 
EHS training required initially and annually. 
Audience: Persons generating hazardous chemical waste in labs. 
Approximate duration: 15-20 min.

Hazardous Waste Management for Non-Labs – W32HAZ 
EHS training required initially and annually. 
Audience: Persons generating hazardous chemical waste in non-lab areas. 
Approximate duration: 15-20 min.

Radioactive Waste Management – W086RD 
Recommended as a refresher course after Basic Radiation Safety Training completed. 
Audience: Persons generating radioactive waste in labs. 
Approximate duration: 15-20 min.

SPCC: Oil Spill Prevention – W067HAZ 
Environmental Services training required initially and annually. To finish your training requirement, you must also know specific information unique to your own work area. Use the Site-Specific Training checklist located within the course content to review site-specific training items with your supervisor or designated work area trainer.  
Audience: All personnel subject to SPCC that use, store and transfer oils.
Approximate duration: 15-20 min. 

All training sessions are listed in the EHS Safety Training Course Guide and on the EHS website.

4.  Relevant policies, procedures, and links for additional information.