Chemical Safety

Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) 2024 (Lab Safety Manual)

Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) (Lab Safety Manual)

• High Risk Chemicals Requiring Protocol Review (CHP App. 5)
• Chemical SOP Template (editable) 
• CHP Review Acknowledgement (CHP App. 12)

Hazard Communication Plan (go to pages 64-71 of CHP)

Pregnant Lab Workers - Declaration Letter and Procedures

Login with your UHCL credentials to Search for Safety Data Sheets (SDS) on the chemicals you will work with: EHS and SDS hub software. All UHCL emails can login to access SDS through this link using UHCL credentials.  

Go to the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) page for additional information, and manufacturer's links to obtain SDS for your lab or chemical inventory.

Chemical Labels 

All containers with chemicals must be labeled with the original manufacturer's label, or: 

1. Replacement Label if the original container label gets damaged or becomes illegible.
2. Secondary Container Label filled out with chemical name and hazards checked to meet Hazard Communication requirements.
   • Secondary Container Label Template with Checkboxes
   • Secondary Container Label Template with Pictograms
3. Small Containers or Samples – can have one or combination of:
   
   • A label hanging on the container or attached using tape;
   • Logbook visible in the lab nearby with chemical name and hazards, when only sample number may fit on the container;
   • Acronyms list posted in the lab nearby with chemical name and hazards, when only acronym may fit on the container.

Chemical Labels & Labeling - Replacing original labels, labeling secondary containers (prepared solutions, samples), and Wastes. 

Not Food or Drink Labels - Print on Avery 5160 return address labels and place on consumable items used for lab experiments.

Hazard Communication Plan (pp. 64-71)

• Chemical Inventory requirement (see section on lab safety page)
• HazCom-GHS Training (for facilities, reference) - current version contained in Lab Safety Training

• Pictograms & Hazards List (Ingles y en Espanol)
• Chemical Labels 2015+ (Ingles y en Espanol)
• Chemical Labels 2015+ & prior NFPA diamond hazards
• Safety Data Sheet (SDS) chemical information fields
• Ficha de datos de seguridad (SDS) campos de información química
• Chemical Inventory requirement (see section on lab safety page)

• Chemical Storage - Segregation Groups (one page Pictoral)
• Chemical Segregation and Compatibility (CHP pp.57-63)
• Berkeley Segregation and Compatibility
• Classes of INCOMPATIBLE Materials
• Corrosives Storage Categories (from Berkeley Segregation)
• DOT Segregation Table (used for transportation safety)
• EPA Chemical Compatibility Chart

• Corrosives - Categories and storage, segregation by Berkeley.
• Liquid Nitrogen - can cause frostbite, up to loss of limb, and asphyxiation (oxygen displacement).  Safe handling info by Penn State and OSHA Cryogens Quick Facts.
• Nanomaterials - safe work guide by UK NanoSafety Partnership Group.
• Perchloric Acid - requires a special hood. Fact sheet by Maryland Univ.
• Phenol - corrosive, toxic, and can cause permanent eye injury and blindness.  Refer to Cornell 2 page safe handling guide. 

Chemicals that pose a Hazard by Skin Absorption list by NCSU. 

See CHP for list of High Hazard Chemicals that require Safe Operating Procedures (SOP) on file with EHS prior to purchase. (links above)

The Environmental Protection Agency, under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), has ruled that methylene chloride (CAS# 75-09-2, also identified as dichloromethane or DCM) poses an unreasonable risk of injury to human health.

This new rule bans manufacturing, importing, or selling methylene chloride; and applies to all products and mixtures containing 0.1% or more methylene chloride.

Only limited, restricted uses in laboratories and solvent welding are allowed under the new rule--with extensive requirements including: increased equipment, training, exposure monitoring, and service costs which would fall on users.

EPA Exposure Limits are very low, and prohibits filtering respirators to control exposure--only supplied air/SCBA tanks may be used.

• Methylene Chloride Announcement
• Methylene Chloride Survey
• Requirements of Methylene Chloride Workplace Chemical Protection Program (WCPP)
• EPA Fact Sheet: Methylene Chloride (aka Dichloromethane)
• EPA Guide to Complying with the 2024 Methylene Chloride Regulation
• DCM Workplace Chemical Protection Program (WCPP) (CHP App 9)

Controlled (Drug) Precursor Chemicals and Glassware 

• HydroFluoric Acid Safety - University of Delaware
• HydroFluoric Acid SDS
• HydroFluoric Acid CDC ER Card - Systemic Agent
• HydroFluoric Acid SOP - Mount Sinai 
• Calcium Gluconate - Calgonate Gel 
• Spill, Splash Quick Guide for HF exposure 
• Medical Treatment Guide for HF exposure
• User Authorization Form for HF

• Perchloric Acid Hazards - University of Maryland, Cornell
• PYROPHORIC Chemicals – DOE Handbook, Princeton, Cornell, Berkeley
• WATER REACTIVE Chemicals – University of Berkeley

• Peroxide Forming Chemicals List & Testing Frequency
• Peroxide Forming Chemicals Labels
• Peroxide Forming Storage Shelf Sign

All peroxide forming containers should have a peroxide label on them. Labels and test strips are in the stockroom.  The storage area sticker should be placed above the shelf where peroxide formers are stored, in a flammable cabinet. 

Testing for peroxides is required, often annually, and before distilling or concentrating.  Failure to test and manage inventory can lead to a potentially dangerous explosive situation, and require dedicated costly high hazard stabilization waste disposal.

Old, unknown age, poor condition, or crystallized peroxide formers (inside bottle or under cap) should not be opened or moved as they may pose an explosion risk.  

• Perchloric Acid Hazards - University of Maryland, Cornell

Notify Hank via email at Grotewold@uhcl.edu for those high hazard waste pickup needs.