Under the Hazard Communication Standard (OSHA requirement 29CFR.1910.120), employers must maintain complete and accurate Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) for all hazardous chemicals. A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a detailed document prepared by the manufacturer of a chemical that describes the physical and chemical properties, physical and health hazards, routes of exposure, precautions for safe handling and use, emergency and first-aid procedures, and control measures. To ensure chemical safety in the workplace, SDSs must be available to all employees who may be exposed to hazardous substances while at work. Members of the University community may also use the web based SDS search program to research chemicals used on campus. This chemical inventory program, UNHCEMS, has over 46,50000 entries.
The inventory program is also used to keep an accurate current list of all laboratory and chemicals from entry point to elimination via barcode analysis. As a result, one is able to generate chemical inventory lists and usage reports rapidly and accurately. It also facilitates the sharing of chemicals and designating chemicals as surplus to reduce purchase costs and the production of hazardous waste.
The program is found at: https://cems.unh.edu/worcester (login required) and on the Worcester State University log in page under SDS locator. Anyone can access the SDS module, but you must be approved to view the chemical inventory. Please notify the Chemical Hygiene Officer to request an approval and password: jherrick@worcester.ma.edu
Barcodes are placed on chemical containers when they arrive in each department. Specific information is entered into the UNHCEMS program relative to the barcode number. This includes the name, quantity, manufacturer, location, and owner. When the chemical container is empty the barcode must be removed and placed on a sheet in the laboratory so that it can be recorded as “empty” in the inventory program.
