The Chemical Inventory Program is the result of the University of Illinois compliance with the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS), 6 CFR Part 27; requiring institutions to track and monitor usage of potentially dangerous chemicals. It also satisfies regulations and guidelines of other bodies such as the EPA, OSHA, and the University of Illinois DRS.
HOW IT WORKS
- All containers of chemicals used or housed at the School of Chemical Sciences will have barcoded labels
- The barcodes provide a unique identifier for each container of chemicals in the School of Chemical Sciences.
- Barcodes are linked to a database containing information such as container size, location, hazard information, and a safety data sheet (SDS)
- When a barcoded container is moved to a different location or is disposed of, the database is updated.
RESEARCHER/STAFF RESPONSIBILITY
- Input all incoming containers of chemicals into the database and label each container with its corresponding barcode
- Remove container from database when it is empty or being submitted as waste
- Update database if chemical is being moved to a new location
- If chemicals are being transferred from another research group or facility, contact Shane Brownfield to assist with database update
PROPER CONTAINER LABELING GUIDELINES
In the vast majority of situations, a chemical will be entered into the inventory, a barcode will be placed on it, and then will be removed from inventory when the container is empty or being disposed of. The following are some exceptions to this rule:
- Rapidly used and replenished chemicals: The barcode label can be placed on a string tag and attached to the container or on the lid/cap of the container. The tag/lid/cap will then need to be transferred to the new container when the old one is empty
- Deuterated solvents: If all deuterated solvents are stored together in a box/bin, one label per chemical can be created with the upper limit that will be kept on hand and placed on/in the box/bin
WHAT DOES NOT NEED TO BE INVENTORIED
- Any chemical that does not have an assigned CAS number
- Samples produced within your lab
- Aliquoted chemicals
- Buffers
- Broths
- Oils
- Silica gel/sand
- Refilled containers
COMPLIANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY
- Chemical inventories will be audited at least annually. Additional audits can be requested if desired.
- Labs will be assessed on their compliance protocols and the results will be emailed to the group chemical inventory officer and PI.
- End users are responsible for the receiving and disposing of containers.
GETTING STARTED FOR USERS
Chemical Safety EMS is the software package being used to manage the SCS chemical inventory. The Division of Research Safety is also using this software to manage their chemical waste pickups. Both modules are maintained as a single installation so you will use the same login and have access to both systems from the same webpage. The website to access the chemical inventory is https://unillinois.chemicalsafety.com. You will click on the “Illinois Sign On” button on the left side of the page and use your netID and password to log in to the system.
