Chemical Safety

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Campus Optics SDS

 

 

 

Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP)

The UAA Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) provides a written program that outlines the procedures, equipment, and safe work practices needed to protect employees from the health and physical hazards of hazardous chemicals and hands-on activity spaces. It also ensures UAA meets the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1450(e).

  University of Alaska Anchorage Chemical Hygiene Plan

 

 

 

General Chemical Safety Information

Formerly known as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), an SDS must be provided by the chemical manufacturer, distributor, or importer to communicate the hazards of the chemical product. OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) requires new SDSs to be in a uniform format. The section numbers, headings, and associated information under the headings are:

Section 1, Identification: product identifier (chemical name, product name, etc.); manufacturer or distributor name, address, phone number;  emergency phone number; recommended use' restrictions on use.

Section 2, Hazard(s) Identification: hazard classification; required label elements (signal word, pictogram(s), hazard statement(s), precautionary statement(s)).

Section 3, Composition/ Information on ingredients: chemical ingredients that contribute to the hazard classification; trade secret claims; chemical name; common name and synonyms; CAS number.

Section 4, First Aid measures: symptoms/ effects, acute, delayed; required treatment.

Section 5, Fire-fighting measures: suitable extinguishing techniques, equipment; chemical hazards from fire.

Section 6, Accidental release measures: emergency procedures; protective equipment; proper methods of containment and cleanup.

Section 7, Handling and Storage: advice on specific storage requirements; precautions for safe handling and storage, including incompatibilities.

Section 8, Exposure controls/ personal protection:  OHSA's Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs); ACGIH Threshold Limit Values (TLVs); and any other exposure limit used or recommended by the party preparing the SDS; appropriate engineering controls; personal protective equipment (PPE).

Section 9, Physical and chemical properties: chemical characteristics,  including: appearance, form, color, odor, odor threshold, melting point, boiling point, pH, flash point, density, solubility, etc.

Section 10, Stability and reactivity: chemical stability; possibility of hazardous reactions; incompatible materials; conditions to be avoided.

Section 11, Toxicological information: routes of exposure; related symptoms; acute and chronic effects; numerical measures of toxicity.

Section 12, Ecological information (non-mandatory): toxicity tests on aquatic or terrestrial organisms; potential for chemical persistence and degradation in the environment; bioaccumulation potential; other adverse effects.

Section 13, Disposal considerations (non-mandatory): guidance on proper disposal practices.

Section 14, Transport information (non-mandatory): shipping and transportation information; UN number; UN proper shipping name; DOT hazards class(es).

Section 15, Regulatory information (non-mandatory): safety, health, and environmental regulations specific for the product not indicated anywhere else on the SDS.

Section 16, Other information: date of preparation or last revision.

CampusOptics SDS link is public access, no log-in required.

There are several systems to separate incompatible chemicals for storage. At UAA, we use a color code system developed by JT Baker. Striped colors indicate the chemical must be stored separately from others in the same color group. 

White - Corrosive acids, both organic and inorganic.

White Stripe - Corrosive bases, both organic and inorganic.

Yellow and Yellow Stripe - Oxidizing agents.

Red and Red Stripe - Flammable liquids and flammable solids.

Blue and Blue Stripe - Toxic, Poison, Hazardous to Health

Orange - Most common inorganic salts, buffers, sugars, and other relatively non-reactive chemicals

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q: Do I need a chemical inventory, and how often should it be updated?

    In general, if your product has an SDS, you need an inventory of your chemicals. UAA uses CampusOptics as its chemical inventory management system (CIMS).  Contact the Chemical Hygiene Officer to be added to CampusOptics as an Inventory Owner.

    Inventory Owners are responsible to make sure their chemical inventory is verified/updated annually, whether they do the verification themselves or assign the task to someone else.

  • Q: Who is allowed to order chemicals for my department?
    Chemical orders should be placed with a Purchase Order through UA Procurement and Contract Services. Anyone who needs chemicals or other hazardous materials can make a purchase request following Procurement procedures. Chemcials, including biological and radioactive materials are Restricted Purchases on a ProCard without an approved waiver. See the UA ProCard Program for more information.
  • Q: Where can I find the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for chemicals used in my area?

    There are several ways to find the SDS for materials used in your area. 

    • Binders of printed SDS in your area
    • Use the CampusOptics link on this page to access electronic SDS
    • Find a CampusOptics SDS poster and scan the QR code for electronic access
    • If your area has a CampusOptics door sign, scan the QR code in the lower right corner for electronic access
    • Google 'product name SDS' and look for the appropriate manufacturer's link
  • Q: Do I need a flammable storage cabinet?
    If you have flammable materials, such as alcohols, paint thinner, flammable aerosols (spray paint), and the like, you need a flammable storage cabinet. Contact the Chemical Hygiene Officer or Safety Manager for assistance.
  • Q: How do I determine if something is hazardous waste?
    Check the SDS for the product. If section 2 has anything other than words that mean 'this product is not hazardous according to the Globally Harmonized System', the product is likely to be hazardous for disposal. Contact the Chemical Hygiene Officer for assistance. 

 

 

  • ACS Center for Laboratory Safety: American Chemical Society (ACS) website with on demand safety courses, links to lab safety resources and more
  • AKOSH Physical Agent Data Sheets (PADS): Alaska specific safety information for Cold Stress, Hand-Arm Vibration, Heat Stress, Ionizing Radiation, Lasers, Noise, Radio Frequency/Microwave Radiation, and Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation
  • Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) (PDF): Centers for Disease Control (CDC) publication of best practices for microbiology labs
  • DOW Lab Safety Academy: DOW Chemicals website with on demand safety courses specific to laboratory topics
  • DuPont SafeSpec: DuPont website, assists in hazard specific PPE selection, links to the App or use the web version
  • Fisher chemical stockroom: resources for the safe storage of chemicals produced by Fisher Scientific
  • Laboratory Safety Institute: training courses and resources specific to educational lab safety
  • NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: CDC research branch, provides chemical specific safety information, access to the online, mobile app, pdf, and print versions
  • OSHA Occupational Chemical Database: occupational chemical information, including chemical identification and physical properties, exposure limits, testing methods, and more
  • Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Management of Chemical Hazards: NIH National Library of Medicine publication, access to online, PDF, and print version
  • PubChem: NIH National Library of Medicine website of freely accessible chemical information
  • PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary (LCSS): NIH National Library of Medicine reference sheet of chemical hazard and safety information for PubChem Compound records having a GHS classification
  • Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories, 8th edition (pdf): ACS publication
  • UN Purple Book, Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS): United Nations publication, currently at Revision 10 published in 2023. OSHA has adopted an earlier version by reference.

 

Questions? Contact Us.

photo of marcy
Marcy Marino

Chemical Hygiene Officer
Location ESH 207
Phone (907) 786-1279
Email mbmarino@alaska.edu