Every laboratory or other University entity that uses, stores, or generates hazardous chemicals is required to keep a comprehensive inventory of their hazardous chemicals through the SciShield ChemTracker software, Welcome to SciShield. Department administrators are responsible for ensuring that their department has accurate and current chemical inventories on file. If you do not have a SciShield account, please contact Biological Safety Officer, Austin Hoffman at: hoffman55@marshall.edu for one to be created.
WHAT IS A HAZARDOUS MATERIAL?
A hazardous material is any material that, because of its quantity, concentration, or physical or chemical characteristics, poses a significant present or potential hazard to human health and safety or to the environment if released.
Materials to report in a chemical inventory include, but are not limited to:
| Laboratory chemicals | acids, bases, solvents, mercury, metallic salts, halogenated compounds, toxic substances |
| Compressed gas | toxic/poisonous, corrosive, flammable and combustible, and explosive gases |
| Liquids under pressure | liquid nitrogen, liquid oxygen, propane, aerosols, chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants (liquid/gas phases) |
| Paints and inks | both water- and oil-based paints, spray paints, printing inks or pastes |
| Solvents and spirits | degreasers, kerosene, paint thinners |
| Lubricants | pump oil, hydraulic oil, motor oil, brake fluid, greases |
| Finishes | varnishes, shellacs, floor waxes, lacquers |
| Fuels | gasoline, camping fuel, diesel fuel |
| Maintenance/structural materials | asphalt-containing roofing, adhesives, bonding agents |
| Grounds/landscape materials | fertilizers, plant food supplements, soda ash |
| Pesticides | insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, defoliants, herbicides |
| Drugs | pharmaceuticals |
| Photographic materials | developers, reducers, stabilizers, activators, fixers, stop bath |
| Custodial materials | cleaning agents, bleaches, floor strippers, disinfectants, corrosive products, ammonia |
Very small quantities of hazardous materials (such as liquid toners and cleaners stored in offices) need not be reported. Call Safety & Health at 696-3461 if you have a question about whether a chemical or other material needs to be reported through the Chemical Inventory Program.
Each PI/department must update their SciShield account and ChemTracker inventory semiannually. If there are any significant changes such as room relocations, increased maximum amounts, new or dangerous chemicals added, or changes in names and phone numbers of key contacts, you must submit updates in the program within 30 days of the change.
CHEMICAL INVENTORY INSTRUCTIONS
Below are the instructions for completion of the Chemical Inventory Form. If you have any questions, please call 696-3461, or email safety@marshall.edu.
Step 1: Save the blank Chemical Inventory Form to your computer. It is in Microsoft Excel.
Step 2: Review the chemicals that you have. If you haven’t used a chemical in 3 years and don’t have any pending research that requires it, consider donating to a colleague or disposing of it by submitting a request for Unwanted Chemical Pickup through Safety & Health.
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- Chemicals that must be included in the inventory:
- all of the items from the list above
- all chemicals and materials used in University laboratories, art studios and other facilities for which a Material Safety Data Sheet (SDS) exists
- all compressed gases
- any flammable paints, solvents, glues, fuels and other petroleum products
- materials that would create an explosive or toxic vapor hazard to unprotected personnel during fire emergencies (lead, mercury, magnesium, etc.)
Step 3: Complete the columns of the blank Chemical Inventory Form as indicated in row 3 of the template.
Step 4: Upload the completed template in your ChemTracker profile within SciShield
- If you do not have a SciShield account please contact Biological Safety Officer, Austin Hoffman at: hoffman55@marshall.edu for one to be created
- For information on how to do this within SciShield please visit the Knowledge Base at: SciShield Knowledge Base
- Please ensure you delete out rows 2 and 3 of the template before trying to import the file into ChemTracker
- If you still have troubles uploading your inventory contact Austin Hoffman as mentioned above
RESOURCES AND INFORMATION
CAS Lookup Sites:
Search the manufacturer’s web site for MSDS frequently provides the CAS number
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/physicalproperties/CASNUM_Search.htm
http://www.chemindustry.com/apps/chemicals
http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/chemical/monster2.htm
http://www.commonchemistry.org/