Chapter Nine - Chemical Safety

Responsibilities for those working with Chemicals at CHESS

The CHESS Chemical Room has limited space and chemical compatibilities are always an issue.  The Chemical Safety Officer shall:

• Maintain separate areas for storage of flammable and nonflammable chemicals.

• Examine stored chemicals periodically for deterioration and container integrity and inventory chemical stock on a regular basis.

• Ensure that incompatible chemicals are stored separately

• Monitor chemical inventory at regular intervals to ensure that chemicals are properly stored and labeled.  (A proper label includes a name, date, and detailed description of the contents.)

• Label liquid and solid chemicals with NFPA stickers and periodically update MSDS's for all chemical stock.

• Appropriately dispose of expired or deteriorated chemicals for chemical containers.

• Maintain First aid equipment, emergency shower, emergency eyewash, fire fighting and other safety equipment such as gloves, aprons, goggles and face shields.

• Ensure that all compressed gas tanks and fire extinguishers are routinely inspected.

It is the Responsibility of any Staff, Personnel, or User who is using chemicals at CHESS to:

• Properly store and label all of your chemicals.  (A proper label includes a name, date, and detailed description of the contents).

• Sign in all chemicals you bring into CHESS.

• Know the Standard Operating Procedures for the chemicals you are working with.

• Provide MSDS's for chemicals you bring into CHESS.

• Notify the Chemical Safety Officer of any hazardous or unusual chemicals you bring into CHESS.

• Familiarize yourself with your work area and note the location of emergency showers, eyewash stations, chemical fire extinguishers and first aid kits.

• Know proper for procedures for working in Fume Hoods.

• Exercise your "Right to Know" what Hazardous materials you may be exposed to in the lab.

Last Update: 2006-09-21