Policies
Hazardous materials
The Laboratory is responsible for ensuring that glassware is empty, rinsed, and free of hazardous biological, chemical, or radioactive contamination prior to collection.
Broken glassware
Glasswashing Services staff will not accept broken, fractured, or chipped glassware for servicing.
Pick up/delivery
Pick up service starts at 7:00 a.m. on University business days, Monday through Friday. Please place the soiled glassware cart in the agreed upon location in your laboratory for pick-up.
Labeling
Glassware should be properly labeled with water resistant ink. Plastic items to be autoclaved must meet manufacturers’ criteria for autoclaving (e.g., polypropylene containers marked “PP”). Glasswashing Services is not responsible for any damage caused by autoclaving of non-approved polymer items.
Nonwashables
Glasswashing Services will not accept disposable items or items that cannot be labeled (e.g., stir bars and spatulas) or sharp instruments such as forceps and scissors for washing. However these items can be autoclaved if they are properly wrapped and brought to the facility. In addition, all labeling tape and tags should be removed from glassware prior to collection.
Sterilizing
Labs may bring items to the Glasswashing Services facility for sterilization during normal business hours. Items brought to the facility Monday-Friday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. will be processed the same day. Items brought to the facility after 1:30 p.m. will be processed the next business day. No liquid items will be accepted for sterilizing after 1:30 p.m. on any given day.
Pipette Calibration & Repair
Pipettes are brought to the Glasswashing facility for service/repairs and will be returned to the lab by Glasswash staff upon completion. Service includes complete interior and exterior cleaning, new seals and O-rings and calibration. Calibration and repairs are guaranteed by the vendor twelve months from date of service. Replacement parts are additional cost. Laboratories actively using radioactivity must receive clearance from Laboratory Safety & Environmental Health that their pipettes are safe for the technician to work with. Issues related to the pipette service can be directed to the Manager of the Glasswashing facility.
Recycling
Labs desiring to recycle clean pipette tip boxes should place these items in the prearranged location for pickup by the facility staff. Labs that do not use Glasswashing Services but would like to recycle clean pipette tip boxes may deposit them directly in the blue recycle bin located outside the Glasswashing Services facility.