Chemical Safety 

The mission of the Chemical Safety Program is to ensure that people working with hazardous chemicals on Auburn University's campus are properly trained, have appropriate safety equipment, and have an on-campus resource for chemical risk assessments. This program is a resource for proper management of hazardous chemicals i.e. inventory tracking, labelling, storage and disposal.

Chemical Inventory:

Auburn University has implemented a mandatory Chemical Inventory Management System (CIMS) for research and teaching laboratories. This system is used for both inventory and waste procedures. Although Chematix is used primarily to meet hazardous chemical safety and regulatory requirements, the program provides faculty and staff with many other valuable resources and tools. Chematix simplifies the removal of hazardous waste from labs. By removing an unwanted chemical container from inventory in the database, a hazardous waste pickup request is automatically generated and sent to AU Hazardous Materials Management. Chematix is also used to manage time sensitive chemicals, faculty and staff are notified of any expiring chemicals in their labs.

Chematix is linked to your AU username and password, so to log in all you need to do is follow this link to the Chematix home page and enter your information. Principal Investigators or RMS must assign lab managers, staff and students to the appropriate lab. In many cases your supervisor may have already assigned you to the appropriate lab. Once these steps have been completed you will be able to manage your chemical inventory. 

Chemical Inventory Reconciliation

RMS performs annual physical inventory audits to ensure that all chemicals are properly barcoded and entered into the Chematix database and stored by hazard class. The PI or designee is responsible for correcting any unbarcoded containers, or other inaccuracies identified during the audit. RMS has staff dedicated to helping all users with the transition to the Chemical Inventory Management System, and providing ongoing technical support and consultation. 

Chemical Storage

Chemicals should be stored according to hazard class while carefully considering those with dual hazards. Use the Chemical Segregation and Storage Table as a guideline for proper chemical storage or refer to the Chemical Storage Compatibility Chart. Time sensitive chemicals should be labeled with “Date Received” and “Date Opened” for proper management. The Chemical Storage Area signs can be used for chemical storage labeling needs.

Chemical Safety Resources (Click to Expand)

Chematix Inventory System

• Chematix User Manual

• Managing Personnel

• Adding a Chemical to Your Inventory

• Adding a Chemical to Your Inventory That is Not in the System (Generating a Z Number)

• Removing a Chemical from Your Inventory

• Submitting a Barcoded Chemical for Waste Pickup

• Submitting a Non-Barcoded Chemical for Waste Pick Up

• Submitting Mixed Wastes for Pick Up

• How to determine which chemicals to enter into Chematix

Chematix Training

• How to log into Chematix [Flash]

• Entering a chemical by the CAS number [Flash]

• Entering a chemical by the chemical name [Flash]

• Generating a Z Number [Flash]

• Remove container from inventory and submit for waste [Flash]

• Creating a storage unit [Flash]

• Adding a chemical to a shelf [Flash]

Chemical Safety Fact Sheets

• Pyrophoric Chemicals Overview

• Flammable Liquids Overview

• Hydroflouric Acid Overview

• Hydrogen Gas Safety Overview

• Water Reactive Chemicals Overview

• Guidelines for Storage and Handling of Peroxide Forming Materials

Chemical Spill Response

• Materials for Spill Kits

• Emergency and Spill Response Procedures

• Lab Emergency Guidelines

• Emergency Contacts

Chemical Labels

• Large (8126)

• Medium (5164) 

• Small (5163)

Hazardous Waste Container Label: (In use only, does not replace Chematix Waste Card)

• Large (8126)

• Medium (5164)

• Small (5163)

Other Labels

• Caution: Acid

• Biohazard

• Research Use Only 

• No Food or Drink

Purchasing DEA Scheduled and Listed Substances

Controlled Substances

• Controlled substances are drugs or other substances, or immediate precursors, listed under schedules I-V of the Controlled Substance Act (21 USC §812) (CSA). Schedules are assigned based on pharmacological effect, potential for abuse and dependency, and medical use. Current scheduling can be found in section 1308 of Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR §§1308.11-1308.15).

• Procurement, storage, security, use and disposal of controlled substances is strictly regulated by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Research involving the use of controlled substances requires DEA registration and licensing. DEA licenses are specific to each PI, and the PI holding a DEA license is responsible for observing and implementing DEA regulations (annual registration renewal, inventory and record keeping, storage and security requirements, inspection preparedness, proper disposal etc.)

• Purchase of schedule I and II controlled substances requires completion of Form 222 (21 CFR §§1305.11-1305.20). All relevant forms can be found here.

 

DEA Listed Chemicals

• DEA Listed Chemicals are chemicals important as precursors in the manufacture of controlled substances and listed in the CSA under the Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act of 1988. Listed Chemicals can be found in Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

• While a DEA license is not required to purchase DEA listed chemicals, vendors may request additional information before ordering. VWR, Auburn University’s preferred vendor, requires submission of Intended Use Declaration of DEA List 1 Chemicals Form before ordering.

 

Please contact RMS at 334-844-4870 if you have any questions.