6.0 Chemical Acquisition, Distribution, and Storage

6.1 Acquisition of Chemicals

6.1.1 All chemicals not on the existing inventory for the laboratory must have approval (specify person, i.e. a responsible person who would review health effects and unusual use conditions) prior to purchase.

6.1.2 Prior to purchasing approval the following must be considered:

6.1.2.1 Obtain and review the products MSDS or view the MSDS on ChemWatch,

6.1.2.2 Proper storage and handling procedures,

6.1.2.3 Proper disposal procedures,

6.1.2.4 Are facilities adequate to safely handle the material, and

6.1.2.5 Are personnel adequately trained to handle the material?

6.1.2.6 Do the hazards of the chemical, procedure, or material warrant a more significant review by a Laboratory Risk Assessment Team?

6.1.3 Before a substance is received, information on proper handling, storage, and disposal should be known to those who will be involved. A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) shall be requested for all hazardous chemicals if the MSDS is not already on file and added to the department chemical inventory and MSDS file.

6.1.4 A copy of each new MSDS should be sent to EHS.

6.1.5 No container should be accepted without an adequate identifying label. The label should include as a minimum the substance name, an appropriate hazard warning, and manufacturer address.

6.1.6 Any new chemicals should be dated on receipt, by the stockroom technician and dated when opened by the user.

6.2 Inventory

6.2.1 The chemical inventory for the laboratory is located in Appendix A (attach inventory).

6.2.2 Any chemical in inventory which is an extremely hazardous substance shall be reported to the EHS Department.

6.2.3 Certain toxins with specified LD-50s are regulated under "Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act" (also called The Agents Transfer Law). See EHS for listed toxins (OHIO University is not currently licensed for this).

6.3 Storage

6.3.1 Both the storage and working amounts of hazardous chemicals shall be kept to a minimum.

6.3.2 All chemical containers must have a legible firmly attached label. The containers shall be dated when received and also when opened.

6.3.3 Chemicals shall be stored in containers with which they are chemically compatible.

6.3.4 Chemical reagents shall be kept in closed containers when not in use.

6.3.5 Periodic inventories (at least annually) shall be conducted by the PI (or designee), unneeded items shall be identified, labeled and packed for hazardous waste pick up.

6.3.6 All flammable substances must be stored in a flammable materials storage cabinet or refrigerator designed and labeled for that type of storage.

6.3.7 Caps should be in place on cylinders not in use. Compressed gas cylinders must be secured at all times.

6.3.8 Incompatible chemicals should be segregated by class. Do not store alphabetically.