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Instrumentation Laboratory

Equipment Used In Contact With Hazardous Materials

Due to the health concerns of dealing with hazardous materials in contact with laboratory equipment, the Instrumentation Laboratory (IL) requires that any instrument brought to our facility for service be made safe for the technician before it will be accepted for maintenance.

  • Chemical Contamination
    • If the equipment to be serviced has been in contact with any type of hazardous chemicals, it is the responsibility of the user to clean and decontaminate it before bringing it to the IL for maintenance.
  • Biological Contamination
    • If the equipment to be serviced has been in contact with biological hazardous material, it should be cleaned and decontaminated with a 70% Ethanol solution or acceptable alternative.
  • Radioactive Contamination
    • If the equipment to be serviced is labeled “radioactive material” or has been used for radioisotope work, then it must be wiped, tested, and found to have removable contamination below 350 net DPM before it is moved from the lab to the IL. Wipe test results must accompany equipment, as per the Miami University Radiation Safety Manual. (See manual for additional information.)
  • Asbestos In Equipment
    • If an instrument is believed to contain asbestos, the IL will contact the instrument manufacturer and/or the Environmental Health and Safety Offices (EHSO) to determine if the material in question is truly asbestos. If the equipment is found to contain asbestos, repair or disposal options will be discussed with the PI and/or department chair.
  • Vacuum Pumps
    • All oil-filled vacuum pumps must be drained and flushed (until clean) before the IL will accept them for maintenance. For a flushing procedure and forms (3 pages). The pumps should be brought to the IL empty of all oil. This is in accordance with the IL’s “Pre-Servicing Vacuum Pump Care” policy. (Copies of documentation are also available in hard copy from the IL.)
  • Final Authority
    • Final authority for determining the acceptability of equipment for service is left to the discretion of the Director of the Instrumentation Laboratory.