Mission and Scope

The mission of the Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Program is to ensure the safe collection, processing, and shipment for disposal of all hazardous waste, non-hazardous waste, and regulated medical waste generated at the University of Virginia and the UVA Medical Center, while ensuring compliance with all pertinent federal and state regulations. We do this by providing guidance on the handling, storage, marking, and labeling of hazardous waste, non-hazardous waste, and regulated medical waste containers, and providing collection and disposal of said wastes.

Services Provided

The Hazmat Program provides highly competent, professional services in a manner that promotes compliance and safety while not imposing undue burden on the community we serve.

The following services are provided to University of Virginia personnel:  

  • Supply containers for the collection of hazardous, non-hazardous, and regulated medical wastes. 
  • Consultation on what wastes can be safely combined and what cannot. 
  • Guidance on how to mark and label waste containers. 
  • Provide technical and regulatory content needed for proper training of personnel. 
  • Collection of all types of waste from sites of generation, and transport to the EHS Special Materials Handling Facility. 
  • Provide central segregation, consolidation, and storage of collected wastes. 
  • Arrange for the regulatory compliant shipment and disposal of all types of waste. 
  • Arrange for ‘unknown chemical’ analysis before disposal. Note: originating department must provide a WorkTag for analysis fees 
  • Move chemicals for academic laboratories that are relocating within UVA on a case-by-case basis. If the move cannot be accommodated, EHS will guide the requesting department on hiring a certified contractor.
  • Manage chemical cleanouts (large purges of more than 20 chemical containers). See Chemical Cleanout Services SLC. 
  • Provide guidance for the proper transportation of dangerous goods per Department of Transportation requirements. 
  • Emergency response for outdoor biological spills (blood). 
  • Emergency response services for hazardous materials spills, 24/7/365.

Roles and Responsibilities

Hazmat Program:

  • Services are offered to the University community during normal business hours at no direct charge to the user, unless specified. 
  •  Will be both proactive and responsive to service requests. For example, requests for collection of hazardous waste are fulfilled within 72 business hours. Most are completed one business day after a pickup request is made. 
  • Operates the Special Materials Handling Facility in compliance with federal and state regulations. 
  • Prioritizes safety for Hazmat staff, and the program as a whole. 
  • Feedback on performance is both formal in the form of inspection reports from external compliance agencies (e.g., EPA, DOT, VADEQ, etc.), and informal (feedback from management and researchers, customer satisfaction reports, etc.). 

 Principal Investigator, Manager, Department, Unit will:

  • be familiar with and comply with UVA Policies: SEC-003, SEC-004, and SEC-006
  • use containers to store hazardous waste that have structural integrity (e.g. no leaks), be made of a material that is compatible with the waste and have a cap that properly fits the container. Several different containers are provided by EHS at no charge. 
  • label and/or mark all containers that contain hazardous waste with the words “Hazardous Waste” and an indication of the primary hazard associated with the waste. This can be done by affixing an EHS Hazardous Waste Label and checking one of the pictograms indicating a hazard (all containers provided by EHS will have a waste label affixed to them). This can also be accomplished by writing on the container.  e.g. “Hazardous Waste—Flammable.” 
  • keep any containers holding hazardous waste closed except when actively filling. 
  • collect hazardous waste containers at or near the point of generation and place in Satellite Accumulation Area when ready to be picked up by EHS.
  • Complete and affix an EHS waste ticket to all containers that are ready to be picked up by EHS. These tickets are provided by EHS at no charge. 

Regulations and Policies 

  • UVA Policies: SEC-003, SEC-004, and SEC-006 
  • 40 CFR: Environmental Protection Agency Hazardous Waste Regulations 
  • 49 CFR: US Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Transportation Regulations 
  • 9 VAC 20-12: Virginia Regulated Medical Waste Management Regulations