Spotlight: Handling hazards

Related article: Chemical safety staff keep campus clean using upgraded safety facilities

Photos by Jeff Miller

Safety Department waste management specialist Greg Zukowski checks the tags before removing carboys containing hazardous phenol waste from Bock Laboratories.

Student worker Mike Snow, left, and Zukowski remove containers of chemicals from Bock Labs to load them onto a truck destined for Safety Department processing and disposal.

A worker from Onyx Environmental Services takes samples from 55-gallon drums containing mixtures of hexane and acetone.

Many hazardous materials can be safely neutralized for disposal. Waste management supervisor Dennis Silbaugh neutralizes hydrochloric acid (indicated in red) by adding caustic soda (indicated in blue) in a large stainless steel sink. The liquids normally are clear.

Safety staff collect and inventory numerous unwanted and unopened chemicals.