End of year campus closure

The end of the year is fast approaching and we are all looking forward to the Christmas break where we can relax, have fun and enjoy time with our loved ones. To help us leave UCL safe and sound over the December closure, we have produced a short list of some things to think about before you head home for your well-deserved break.

Please be aware that real Christmas trees are not permitted in UCL buildings due to fire-safety risks, as they dry out quickly and become highly flammable. Only artificial trees may be used. Decorations such as lights, tinsel and paper banners can also be combustible, so please position them carefully to avoid creating a fire hazard. You can read more in the religious, festival and other decorations' fire safety guidance.

The following lists are not exhaustive and you should think about your individual department's requirements.

Waste Collection Deadlines (Hazardous Waste)

To ensure your labs are safely cleared before the closure, please note the following key deadlines and collection dates:

• Request Deadline: All requests for hazardous waste collections must be submitted by 5 December 2025 to guarantee a pick-up before the closure period.
  • Clinical Waste: This will be picked up right up until the closure day as normal. Waste can be presented right up until that day.
  • Chemical Waste (Lab Smalls): The final confirmed central campus collection directly from labs is Tuesday 9 December,
  • Bulk Chemical Waste/Off-Site Collections (Tradebe): The last collection will happen on Tuesday 16 December.

> How to raise a hazardous waste collection request

General

• Avoid accumulation of waste – think about emptying kettles, lockers, fridges, bins and disposing of any hazardous waste.
• Flush out water taps and rarely used outlets and then ensure all taps are turned off.
• Get involved in the Christmas Switch-Off and make your pledge to power down and help UCL save energy – one switch at a time. Your actions are what turn small switches into big savings!

Lab Housekeeping

• Clear and clean work areas – put away all glassware, clear benches and empty all lab waste.
• Ensure that all chemical and other hazardous substances are correctly stored.
• Shut all fume cupboard sashes.
• Turn off electronics if safe to do so.
• Empty water baths if safe to do so.
• If leaving an experiment, a written procedure must be left for any continuous processes. This must clearly detail who to contact (with out-of-hours numbers) and what to do in case of an emergency. Please refer to the guidance on overnight/long term experiments for further details.
• Check all gas taps, vacuum taps, and water taps are closed if not required.
• Ensure that doors and windows are closed and the lights switched off.
• Lock the doors.

> Email the BioChem Safety Team for advice.

Fire

• Ensure escape routes and fire doors are kept clear.
• Switch off electrical equipment where possible.
• If you have work equipment that has to stay on (e.g. LEV), check that it is in good working condition and is safe to leave switched on.
• Store items and substances appropriately (e.g. flammable substances locked in appropriate cabinets away from incompatible items).
• Ensure a suitable number of Fire Evacuation Marshals are available to cover those who may be on leave during the festive period.

> Email the Fire Safety Team for advice.

Security

Think about what you need to do to control access and ensure safety in your workspace in your absence.

• Lock away confidential/valuable items.
• Isolate equipment/gas taps.
• Ensure machinery is guarded.

Emergencies

Think about emergencies that may occur during the closure, what do you need to have in place?

• Up-to-date emergency contact details and procedures – some colleagues may not be at their usual out-of-hours location during the festive season.
• Clear safety signage and labelled working alarms (e.g. low oxygen alarms).
• A walkaround pre-closure to check everything is in safe working condition.
• Sharing key information with Security and your Area Facilities Manager.

> Email the Safety Services Team for advice.

Ionising Radiation

Guidance for laboratories that work with ionising radiation:

• Check that all radioactive material is accounted for, secured (e.g. fridges and freezers are locked) and records are up to date.
• Ensure all orders of radioactive material have been delivered before the closure date and no deliveries are booked for or expected during the Christmas closure.
• Return all outstanding dosimetry to the UCLH Dosimetry Service.
• Work with ionising radiation should only be conducted during the Christmas closure in exceptional circumstances and with the agreement of the local Radiation Protection Supervisor, who should be contactable whilst work is ongoing.

> Email the Radiation Protection Team with any other radiation queries.