This is our policy:

To avoid potential exposure to persons on passenger elevators, if possible, hazardous chemicals should be transported on freight-only elevators. If not possible and if the hazardous chemical being transported presents the potential for exposure to persons on passenger elevators, only those transporting the hazardous chemicals shall be on the passenger elevator.

We have a dumb waiter too small for people that was specifically designed for chemicals.  If a LN2 dewer or gas cylinder needs to go up we position people on the 2 floors and do not allow anyone to ride with the gas  (We have only two floors).  We also limit stairwell transportation to 5 mils in secondary containment (NMR is in the basement).  Biohazard waste also goes on the dumb waiter

From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Gordon, Jeff
Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2010 3:15 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] transporting chemicals on the elevator

I was wondering if anyone is aware of any regulatory guidelines pertaining to the transport of chemicals on elevators.  Especially liquid nitrogen, high pressure gas cylinders and highly volatile solvents.

If there are not any regulatory drivers…..do any of you have policies in place to instruct proper transport?

We only have one elevator in our science building and people regularly transport their chemicals using the elevator.  We were wondering if we should require them to not ride with the chemicals.

I’d appreciate your thoughts.   This comes at a time where we are trying to justify the cost of including a freight elevator to the design of a new science building….or…..to renovation plans of our current building.

Thanks

Jeff

Jeff Gordon

Assistant Lab Manager / Chemical Hygiene Officer

Division of Natural Sciences

Indiana Wesleyan University

4201 S. Washington St.

Marion, IN 46953

Email:  jeff.gordon**At_Symbol_Here**indwes.edu

Phone:  765-677-1679

FAX:  765-677-2455