Please note for the holiday shutdown that due to winter weather conditions, utilities (especially electricity) may be affected. It is a general rule that all laboratory processes be designed to safely survive a service failure. During the holiday shutdown this is particularly important, and the following precautions are recommended.
Prepare your laboratory: Lab Temporary Shut-down Checklist
- Suspend lab operations by Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at 4 PM, resuming no earlier than Monday, January 5th.
- Shut down all processes vulnerable to failure of utilities.
- Remove hazardous waste from the lab. The waste facility will be closed for the holiday shutdown. Users will be notified via the Hazardous Waste Booking Page prior to the shutdown. See the chart below for the last day and return date of each waste facility.
|
Location |
Last Day |
Return Date |
Note |
|---|---|---|---|
|
E6 |
December 16th, 2025 |
January 6th, 2026 |
January 6th will be shortened hours with normal service starting January 13th. |
|
DWE |
December 16th, 2025 |
January 6th, 2026 |
|
|
ESF |
December 18th, 2025 |
January 5th, 2026 |
December 16th-18th, 2025 will be extended hours. January 5th-9th will be shortened hours with normal service starting January 12th. |
|
PHR |
December 22nd, 2025 |
January 12th, 2026 |
Extended hours will be provided December 22nd. |
|
Satellite Waste Pick-Ups |
December 16th, 2025 |
January 6th, 2026 |
- Store hazardous materials properly in containment areas. Close or seal containers containing hazardous materials.
- Shut off compressed gases and gas supply lines to equipment.
- Turn off and unplug non-essential electrical equipment such as hot plates, computers and fume hoods/ environmental chambers not containing hazardous materials. This prevents damage to equipment due to power surges while reducing energy waste.
- Update lab contact information with current names, phone numbers and addresses in a location accessible to emergency response personnel (e.g., inside of door), and provide emergency contact information to UW Special Constable Service via email (uwscs@uwaterloo.ca). If applicable, include documentation on contents of sensitive freezers and refrigerators in the lab.
- Anyone approved to work in a lab during shutdown must have supervisor and departmental approval and adhere to the Working Alone Guidelines posted on the Safety Office website. Building access keys and named authorized persons must be arranged with UW Special Constable Service.
- If you have any questions about preparing your lab for shutdown contact the Safety Office at x35755 or safety@uwaterloo.ca.
What to do if you have a lab incident:
- Report failures of equipment or physical plant to Plant Operations at x43793.
- If a lab or building has been without power, allow the lab exhaust systems to operate for at least 2 hours before entry to the lab or building.
- Contact the UW Spill Team through UW Special Constable Service at 519-888-4911 or x22222 if you need emergency assistance related to hazardous materials spills.