During recent laboratory renovations, a number of hazardous items were found in the p-trap and sink drains of Health Sciences laboratory sinks. These items included everything from Sharpie pens, to scalpel blades, razor blades, and hypodermic needles.
These items should never be allowed to drop down the drain, whether at the main laboratory sink or in the smaller cup sink at the back of the laboratory bench. Items such as this or even paper towels can clog the drains, as well as present a serious health and safety hazard for Facilities Services staff or contractors who work on the plumbing and casework in the laboratories and clinics.
Print and distribute postcards (284K PDF*) to your labs, so that they can post them in each lab on either the safety wall or near each sink. They show how your laboratory staff should protect the sink drains from unwanted items.
In addition to the lab sink strainer postcards, information is available on where to purchase sink drain strainers (MSWord). They are inexpensive and installing one in each of your laboratory drains will eliminate all items, particularly hazardous items, from accidentally falling into the drains.
* Software capable of displaying a PDF is required for viewing or printing this document. Adobe Reader is available free of charge from the Adobe Web site at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.