Chemical Safety

Hazard Communication

Safety Data Sheets

Labs are required to keep an updated chemical inventory and safety data sheets (SDS) readily available at all times for hazardous materials present in the workspace.

Does your lab maintain an accurate chemical inventory? Do you know the process for keeping the inventory up to date? Are safety data sheets readily available to personnel for all chemicals in the lab?

Most departments on campus maintain their chemical inventory in a centralized electronic database called CHIMERA. This system also provides electronic access to SDSs for all chemicals included in the inventory. More information on CHIMERA is available on the main Laboratory & Research page.

Chemical Hygiene Plan

WAC 296-828 requires all labs that use hazardous chemicals to develop and carry out a written chemical hygiene plan.

Does your lab have a current chemical hygiene plan? Is it easily accessible to all lab personnel? Are they familiar with the information contained in the plan?

You can learn more about chemical hygiene plans, and find tools to assist you in meeting the chemical hygiene plan requirements Chemical Hygiene Plan Information Page.

Chemical Hazard Labels

When storing hazardous chemicals in a new container be sure to label the container with the full name of the material and any applicable hazard warnings. Prevent accidents by insuring your hazard communication is clear.

New chemicals will have the Globally Harmonized System's (GHS) Chemical Hazard Pictograms, shown below, on the manufacturer's bottle as well as warning statements to notify you of the potential risks of handling the material.

Note: If a chemical bottle in your inventory has an orange square hazard label, the chemical was bottled prior to 2010.