Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

HANDLING BROKEN FLUORESCENT LAMPS  
SOP-01

GROUNDSKEEPING, MAINTENANCE

Standard Operating Procedure: 
Background: Standard fluorescent lamps range in different sizes and shape and are constructed of a thin glass wall with a fluorescent coating of blended metallic salts and phosphors.  The pressure inside the lamps is kept at .3% of atmospheric pressure creating a vacuum when the glass is broken and a loud pop. The gasses inside the tube are a mixture of many inert gases that are used in light generation and mercury vapor.  This mercury vapor makes the lamp a hazardous waste when disposed of.  An intact bulb is considered Universal Waste, but a broken bulb is contaminated with mercury and must be disposed of as hazardous waste.  Maintenance 

Type of Hazard: 

• High Risk: Inhalation (Mercury vapors) 
• Low Risk: Injection, Ingestion (Glass Injury, mercury)  

Note: All precautions and care must be taken to ensure that fluorescent lamps are kept intact.  Always use safe processes to prevent bulbs from breaking.  
When a fluorescent lamp is accidentally broken there is potential for eye injury from the force of flying glass. When changing out lamps or working with lamps be sure to be wearing at minimum work gloves and a pair of safety glasses.

Preparation for cleanup:

• Proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) needed for this job are as follows: 
• Cut Resistant Gloves
• A properly worn N95 for dust 

Tools Needed:

• A broom and dustpan.
• Duct tape for picking up small particles.
• A small sealable waste receptacle. (i.e., Tupperware).  
• Damp disposable cleaning cloth
• Vacuuming should not be done unless glass is embedded in carpet.  If vacuuming must be done a HEPA collection bag must be used and the bag must be disposed of as Hazardous Waste

Procedure:

1. Once a fluorescent bulb is broken evacuate the space and shut off the ventilation if possible. After 10-15 minutes the mercury vapors would have dissipated enough to begin cleanup operations safely. 
2. Clean up large pieces of broken glass and metal parts of the broken bulb and place in sealed container. 
3. Use dry and wet cleaning methods to pick up all dust and broken glass not captured during other cleaning methods. 
4. Seal all glass inside container and dispose of as mercury contaminated hazardous waste.

HANDLING BIRD DROPPINGS AND DEBRIS SOP-02

GROUNDSKEEPING, MAINTENANCE

Standard Operating Procedure: Cleaning Bird Droppings

Background: Bird feces and other debris (i.e., Nesting materials, feathers, deceased animals) left from bird habitation and roosting areas can be a source of not only parasitic insects such as fleas or lice but also hazardous disease-causing organisms from bacterial to fungi. Known diseases caused by contact with bird droppings are cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis and psittacosis. Avian influenza can also be transmitted by contact with infected birds.

Type of Hazard:

High Risk: Inhalation  
Low Risk: Injection, Ingestion

Preparation:

Cordon off the area in which work is to be performed. Seek time for removal to coordinate with the absence of building inhabitants and students.

The proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) needed for this job is as follows:   
Disposable Non latex rubber gloves  
A properly worn N95 or KN95. Face mask for power washing of large amounts of debris.  
A disposable chemical resistant suit (i.e., Tyvek) if power washing.

Tools Needed:

A scraper and brush for removing the debris from the cement or other hard surface.  
A waste receptacle (I.e., trash bag ready for acceptance of waste) 
A 1 to 9 ratio of bleach to water or campus designated disinfectant in a clean pump sprayer.

Procedure:

Once PPE is worn the removal will start with spraying of the bleach-water mixture on the feces and let it sit for contact time. (5-10 minutes)

Once material has been soaked then proceed with scraping and disposal into ready trash bag. Ensure that if removal starts to produce dust or floating particles then stop and repeat the previous step. Once all bulk is removed and only staining remains clean normally with scrubbing or power washing off all surfaces.

Dispose of all contaminated materials. Bird droppings and debris can be disposed of in regular garbage outdoors. Do not dispose of waste in indoor garbage receptacles or trash compactor.

HANDLING RODENT DROPPINGS AND DEBRIS SOP-03

GROUNDSKEEPING, MAINTENANCE

Standard Operating Procedure: Cleaning Rodent droppings and debris

Background: Rodent feces and other debris (i.e., urine, bedding materials, deceased animals) left from rodent habitation and nesting areas can be a source of not only parasitic insects such as fleas or lice but also hazardous disease-causing organisms from bacteria to fungi. Known diseases caused by contact with rodent droppings are leptospirosis and salmonellosis. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) can also be transmitted by contact with infected rodent debris and dust (urine, droppings and saliva carry the virus).

Type of Hazard:

High Risk: Inhalation 
Low Risk: Injection, Ingestion

Preparation:

Cordon off the area in which work is to be performed. Let airborne particles settle while increasing ventilation to the area. (approximately 30 minutes wait time) 
The proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) needed for this job is as follows:  
Disposable Non latex rubber gloves 
A properly worn dust mask.

Tools Needed:

A scrubbing device to remove any hard to clean debris. 
A waste receptacle (I.e., trash bag ready for acceptance of waste) 
A 1 to 9 ratio of bleach to water or a designated disinfectant in a clean pump sprayer.

Procedure:

Don gloves and dust mask. 
Once PPE is in place the removal will start with spraying of the bleach-water mix or other disinfectant on the droppings and debris and let it sit for contact time. (5-10 minutes) 
Once the material has been soaked then proceed with collecting, scrubbing and disposal into ready trash bag. Ensure that if the removal starts to produce dust, then stop and repeat the previous step. 
Remove PPE and put it into trash bag. If the debris is heavy, double bag the material.  
Dispose of all contaminated materials. Rodent droppings and debris can be disposed of in regular garbage outdoors. Do not dispose of waste in indoor garbage receptacles or in a trash compactor. 
Wash Hands thoroughly or apply hand cleaner if washing facilities are not available.