TSK-FM5950.01C Handling fluorescent lamps

Effective Date: January 4, 2000, Revised April 27, 2007

Approved by: Director of Facilities Management

See Also

POL-U5950.01
POL-U5950.05
POL-U5950.06
 

Background

All fluorescent lamps contain mercury. When they are changed out, they are regulated as universal waste. As universal waste they cannot go into regular waste bins. They must be collected for proper disposal.

Task Outline

To replace a non-working fluorescent lamp, the Maintenance Mechanic or Electrician shall do the following:

  1. Assemble the following items:
    • Safety goggles
    • Work gloves
    • Partially full (or empty) fluorescent lamp box marked “Universal Waste Lamps”
    • Switch lock OR panel lock and tags
    • Ladder
    • Temporary lighting, if needed
    • Lamp holder for climbing ladder with lamps
  2. Turn off all light switches.
  3. Use Lockout/Tagout procedures:  LOCKOUT the main panel -OR- Lockout and Tagout switches that affect the circuitry being worked on.
  4. Put on goggles and work gloves.
  5. Set up temporary lighting, as needed.
  6. Put on the lamp holder and insert a new lamp into the holder.
  7. Climb the ladder.
  8. Remove the non-working fluorescent lamp from the fixture and put the non-working lamp into the lamp holder.
  9. Remove the new lamp from the holder and insert it into the fixture.
  10. Store the non-working lamp in the fluorescent lamp box.
  11. Mark the box "universal waste lamps."
  12. Remove the lock and tag on all switches and temporary lighting.
  13. Remove safety goggles, gloves and lamp holder.
  14. Follow Steps 1 through 10 for all lamps to be changed during a work period or shift.
  15. Tape the box of universal waste lamps shut when full.
  16. Transport the full box of universal waste lamps to the FM Marshalling Building cage.
  17. Notify Environmental Health and Safety at X3064 when a full box of universal waste lamps are at the Marshalling Building.
    • NOTE:  The U.S. EPA and Washington Department of Ecology regulate many lamps as universal waste.  The following lamps may not be placed in the regular trash but must be properly stored and given for proper disposal:
      • Fluorescent lamps including circle-line, pin, and looped lamps
      • High intensity discharge lamps
      • Neon
      • Mercury vapor
      • High pressure sodium
      • Metal halide