Chemical Inventory
Various Federal, State, and local regulations require the College to inventory the types and quantities of hazardous
materials. Our Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) tracks and reports, as mandated, the on site storage and
use of hazardous materials. Maintaining an up to date inventory assists in providing stakeholders with specific hazard and storage information and in emergency response.
Who needs to do a chemical inventory?
Principal Investigators, supervisors, storeroom managers,
and anyone in charge of areas where hazardous materials are stored, must
prepare and maintain a chemical inventory. Department administrators are responsible for ensuring that
an accurate and current chemical inventory is available to the CHO upon request.
When is the inventory due?
Each department must submit an updated inventory to the CHO at least annually. All
lists must be up to date as of January 1st of each year. The CHO sends
reminders to departments at the beginning of the reporting period, along with
instructions and specific due date.
In addition to the scheduled updates, 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 to EH&S within 30 days of the change. Contact your department safety liaison for assistance in
getting started, or call EHS (5507) for assistance and training.
Which hazardous material must be inventoried?
A hazardous material
is any material that, because of its quantity, concentration, physical
characteristics, 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 such as lead compounds
and acrylamide, mixtures of hazardous chemicals
Compressed Gas: toxic gases, pressurized gas cylinders of
pure gases or mixtures of 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, and bonding agents, cleaning products and de-greasers
Grounds/Landscape Materials: fertilizers, plant food
supplements, soda ash
Pesticides: insecticides, rodenticides, acaricides,
fungicides, defoliants, herbicides
Drugs: pharmaceuticals, controlled substances
Photographic Materials: developers, reducers, stabilizers,
activators, fixers, stop bath
Custodial Materials: cleaning agents, bleaches, floor
strippers, soaps and detergents, disinfectants, corrosive products, ammonia
Note: Other hazardous materials, such as biological agents
and radioactive materials, should not be included in the chemical inventory
since they are tracked under separate EHS programs. Very small quantities
of hazardous materials (such as liquid toners and cleaners stored in offices)
need not be reported. Call EHS at 5507 if you have questions about what material must be reported through the Chemical
Inventory Program.
Where are hazardous materials found?
• Research and teaching labs
• Building operations mechanical and storage areas
• Above and underground storage tanks
• Workshops
• Custodial closets
• Stockrooms/storerooms
• Swimming pools
• Containers under pressure such as liquid nitrogen tanks and gas cylinders
• Darkrooms
• Animal care
• Fine and performing arts areas