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<td><a href="https://misportal.jlab.org/ll/index.jsf?function=view&lessonId=880">Proper Labeling and Management Required for Re-used Containers - Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, LLC</a></td>
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<h2 style="white-space:nowrap">Statement of Lessons Learned</h2>
<pre>Re-using and repurposing a container is an acceptable practice provided the container is of an appropriate material and configuration and properly prepared for it new contents. This preparation includes correct labeling.</pre>
<h2 style="white-space:nowrap">Discussion of Activities</h2>
<pre>A worker was refilling squeeze bottles of methanol for use in a laboratory. While pouring from a manufacturer’s large amber bottle expected to contain pure methanol, the employee immediately noticed that the contents were a bright fluorescent pink (figure 1), and did not match the characteristics of methanol. A review of the bottle providing this liquid showed some faint scratch marks over the original product labeling (See Attached), but nothing definitive was added to indicate what the new contents were.</pre>
<h2 style="white-space:nowrap">Analysis</h2>
<pre>A review of the source bottle indicated that it originated in a nearby facility and was relocated along with several unopened bottles in an attempt to reuse chemicals when the directorate initiated a lab cleanout initiative. Further review of past operations in the original building indicated that the pink color was a result of adding a laser dye to a solvent.
The attempted relabeling of the amber (source) bottle was inadequate to communicate the contents to the new owner(s). Nothing indicated the presence of a laser dye, some of which are toxic or even carcinogenic. Furthermore, the relabeling would probably be insufficient for use within the lab by knowledgeable individuals.
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<h2 style="white-space:nowrap">Recommended Actions</h2>
<pre>Below are the consequences of the above event. They are provided for information and discussion purposes only.
Chemicals need to be properly managed and marked at all times:
-When projects terminate, review materials (equipment and chemicals) to ensure that they are managed or disposed of properly. Once the need for the solvent/laser dye went away, the project should have worked with the Radioactive and Hazardous Waste Management organization to dispose of the material, rather than allow the container to be stored with other product containers.
-When acquiring chemicals for reuse or relocating them to a new area, update the Chemtrack database. Chemtrack barcoding allows for an immediate determination of contents, owners, and locations. In this case, a review of the Chemtrack history showed that the original amber bottle was removed from service when the original project terminated in 2006. This might have been a clue that the contents may have been altered, especially when taken into consideration with the ambiguous scratches on the label.
-Promptly and properly label containers being reused and containing a different material than the original contents, any user of the chemical, first responders, and others who may have a need to know will rely upon the accuracy of this information.
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<h2 style="white-space:nowrap">JLab Preventive Measures</h2>
<pre>Jefferson Lab’s chemical use and disposal procedures include contacting Industrial Hygiene prior to disposal, re-use, or repurposing of chemicals. This includes transfer of chemicals from one container to another.</pre>
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<h2>Comments</h2>
<h5 style="white-space:nowrap">3/16/2015 1:03:39 PM by Bailey, Mary Jo</h5>
<pre>Submitted to those who work with chemicals</pre>
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<legend>Summary</legend>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Lesson ID:</td>
<td class="dataval">880</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Status:</td>
<td class="dataval">OK</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Doc ID:</td>
<td class="dataval">2015-JLAB-880</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Priority:</td>
<td class="dataval">Info</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Safety Related:</td>
<td class="dataval">YES</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Originator:</td>
<td class="dataval">Bailey, Mary Jo</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Issued:</td>
<td class="dataval">3/16/2015 1:02:52 PM</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Approved By:</td>
<td class="dataval">Bailey, Mary Jo</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Approved On:</td>
<td class="dataval">3/16/2015 1:03:39 PM</td>
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<td class="label">Source:</td>
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DOECRD
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<td class="label" nowrap>Location:</td>
<td class="dataval">LANL</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Cost Savings:</td>
<td class="dataval"></td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Contact:</td>
<td class="dataval">George Fulton, fulton3@llnl.gov, 925-424-5162, LLNL Chemical Safety SME</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Queued Emails:</td>
<td class="dataval">0</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Sent Emails:</td>
<td class="dataval">0</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Viewings:</td>
<td class="dataval">3 times</td>
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<legend>Attachments</legend>
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<li><a target="_blank" href="https://misportal.jlab.org/ll/downloadAttachment?attachmentId=3762">DOE - Container Re-use Pic.pdf</a></li>
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<legend>Hazard Issues</legend>
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<li>Chemicals</li>
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<legend>Skills</legend>
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<li>SAF129: R&D Chem Room Safety</li>
<li>SAF137: Chem Room Safety</li>
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<legend>Distribution/Notification</legend>
<ul class="lesson_attribute_listing">
<li>*Division Safety Officers (DSOs)</li>
<li>*Safety Wardens</li>
<li>*DOE Notification</li>
<li>*ESH&Q Liaisons</li>
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Do you have a lesson learned you would like to contribute? Contact the <a href="mailto:cjohnson@jlab.org,sjsmith@jlab.org,mbailey@jlab.org">Lesson Learned Coordinator</a>.