Moving a laboratory is more than renting a U-Haul or booking a residential moving company. A successful laboratory relocation requires strategy and planning. With so much to do, where do you start? CLYM Environmental brings you this easy-to-follow checklist for making sure you’re prepared for your big move.
The Planning Stage
The planning stage should begin at least two months before your move takes place and consists of assigning roles, vetting the new location, and booking lab relocation services.
In this stage, make sure you:
- Assign teams and roles for the move to ensure the workload is spread evenly
- Designate a team leader to oversee moving tasks
- Establish a working timeline for the move
- Book a professional laboratory moving service
- Discuss any concerns or special considerations with your lab relocation service
- Check state or municipal laws governing the transportation of chemicals or other materials
- Create a database covering materials being moved to the new location
- Evaluate the new site’s readiness for your relocation
- Make sure that you schedule the utilities, such as electricity and WiFi
- Pre-order any new equipment and schedule it to arrive at the new location on, or after, your moving date
- Begin the process of decommissioning your lab prior to vacancy
Moving Day
It’s time to let the experts take over and do the heavy work of relocating your equipment and materials. If you’ve hired a qualified lab moving service, they will handle the details of the move and your role will mostly be to:
- Stay in communication with the movers and your moving team leader
- Make sure your materials database is accessible
- Oversee activities at the new facility (placing equipment, materials storage)
- Ensure the new facility is set up to receive your materials and equipment (electricity, WiFi, security)
After Moving Your Laboratory
It’s time to get organized and get your technicians back to work as quickly as possible. You’ll be overseeing the unpackaging of your materials and equipment, with a careful eye to:
- Making sure all materials and equipment have been delivered safely
- Displaying all safety warnings and regulations
- Providing oversight in unpacking materials and storing them
- Recalibrating all equipment
- Ensuring that all documentation is in order
Vetting Your Laboratory Moving Services Provider
Improper handling of your lab’s move can result in regulatory fines, environmental hazards, and the costs of broken or mismanaged equipment and materials.
Here’s a few things to consider when making sure your movers are up to the task:
- Do they show attention to detail?
- Do they have references?
- Are they highly rated?
- Are they knowledgeable?
- Do they address your concerns?
- Are they equipped to handle your move?
- Are the movers trained and certified to handle your equipment and materials?
- Do they provide all the documentation you’ll need for the move?
Do you have a big move in your future? CLYM has the expertise you need to move your lab safely, along with decommission and decontamination services to keep your organization compliant at every stage of the move. Let’s get started; contact us today.