- What is EHSA? EHSA is the database used to track chemicals at UAB research labs. Please see EHSA Handbook for more information.
- What is the purpose of chemical inventory?
An accurate chemical inventory is needed to identify the hazards associated with the material for proper handling to the users. Also, it is mandatory to maintain a proper inventory as per the law and to access the Safety Data Sheet for referencing potential safety measures of the chemical. - What should be included in the chemical inventory?
All primary containers of chemicals and all solid/liquid forms of hazardous chemicals should be included in your inventory. Secondary solutions or mixtures which are made from the primary containers should not be included.
Examples of chemicals that should be included in the inventory but are not limited to the following:
- Flammable or combustible liquid, solid or gas.
- Pyrophoric, water-reactive (Alkali metals, anhydrous aluminum chloride, silanes etc.) or peroxide forming materials (Cyclohexane, diethyl ether, sodium amide, tetrafluoroethylene etc.).
- Corrosives like strong acids or bases.
- Reducing agents.
- Carcinogenic, mutagenic, or teratogenic materials.
- Oxidizers such as nitrates, iodates, perchlorates, or organic peroxides.
- Toxins or infectious agents of biological or synthetic origin (diphtheria toxin, endotoxins, conotoxins, Shigatoxin etc.).
- Extremely Toxic and hazardous materials.
- Shock sensitive compounds (Azides, Acetylides, Powdered metals, Diazo compounds, Nitro compounds etc.).
Note: Always look for warning/danger signs and the NFPA diamond for determining hazardous information in short. - What kind of chemicals are not necessary to include in the inventory?
Examples include:
- Water
- Non-hazardous buffers, sugars, and salts.
- Growth media without toxic contents (agar, agarose etc.).
- Commercial assay kits.
- Non-toxic biochemicals (nucleotides, enzymes, protein extracts, lipids, nucleic acids etc.).
- Chromatographic
- How can we sort and store the chemicals according to classifications?
Segregate the chemicals and store as per the EH&S Guidelines.
- Toxic
- Flammable
- Reactive
*Water reactive chemicals should be in a cool, dry area away from potential
sources of water. - Corrosive
*Corrosives like acids and bases should be stored in different cabinets. - Oxidizer
*Must be separated and stored from reducing agents and combustible or
flammable chemicals. - Low Hazard
- Where can I find the CAS (Chemical Abstract Service) number to add to the inventory?
You can find the CAS number on the chemical bottle or on the Safety Data Sheet. If that is not providing the information, then go to Common Chemistry to search the CAS number by chemical name. - What do I do if the chemicals in my inventory expired or are no longer wanted?
Manifest the chemical as waste after mentioning the reason for the removal and delete the chemical from the list once it is gone from the lab. If the chemical is not expired but you do not need that for any of your research, then look for the option of sharing or transferring chemicals to the researchers who can use it. Refer to the for transfer/share options - How often should an inventory reconciliation be conducted?
Chemical inventory reconciliation should be conducted at least per year. The inventory should be updated by adding new chemicals or removing the expired or unwanted chemicals in the inventory. Expired chemicals must be manifested before being removed from the inventory. A working chemical inventory should be maintained always, but at least twice per year the staff or the designated lab personnel should go through the inventory to verify that the inventory is correct.
Contact Chemical Safety for any questions or details - How do I reconcile my chemicals and how often?
Follow the instructions in the EHSA User Handbook.
Laboratories, facilities maintenance areas, and all UAB areas in which chemicals are used or stored are required to reconcile chemicals bi-annually (deadlines: June and December). - I ran out of chemical inventory barcodes. How do I get more?
The UAB inventory barcodes can be ordered via the Barcode & Waste/Lab Supplies request feature in EHSA. Submit the order via EHSA and your barcodes will be delivered to your lab. - Can I use my scanner to reconcile, or do I have to borrow one from EHS?
All EHS scanners are loaned with a Bluetooth dongle. It works similarly to your wireless mouse, connecting the scanner to your computer. You only need a USB port. After receiving our loaner combo (scanner + Bluetooth dongle), download the software from the CD (Bluetooth dongle box), pair the scanner with a computer (follow the scanner instruction book), and start reconciling. - I hear the scanner beep, but nothing is uploaded to a reconciliation page
- Check if scanner is paired with a computer (follow the scanner instruction)Check the Bluetooth connection - if your scanner is listed as “connected” in Bluetooth devices
- When you start scanning, check if you click in the “Barcode #” field. Barcodes can be only uploaded if the “Barcode #” field is active.
If nothing above is missing, questions can be sent to Chemical Safety. - I do not have a computer with internet in my lab. How can I reconcile?
You can use a laptop, tablet, your smartphone, etc. Your school may also have laptops or tablets to loan. Reconciliation process on other devices follows the same procedural steps to working with your stationery computer.- Pair the scanner with your device (if you use the EHS scanner, go to Bluetooth option and “add a new device”)
- Open the reconciliation EHSA page on your device
- Start reconciliation process on your device like you would do on your computer. Remember about clicking in the barcode field before starting scanning
- Why cannot I paste multiple barcodes to EHSA?
This method is not available in EHSA. As soon as you start scanning, EHSA system immediately reads your scanned barcodes. There is no need to use additional steps. EHSA helps you to cut time on uploading barcode information to your computer (to Word or Excel), and then actually reconciling.
Environmental Health & Safety is excited to implement the new EHS Assistant (EHSA) system. To ensure it is a sustainable and useful tool, we are rolling it out in phases. During your phase, you will be contacted by EHS to attend an orientation and to receive access to the system. You will not be able to access the system before you attend the orientation. If you have questions, please contact EHS at EHSASupport@uab.edu.