Hazardous Materials Inventories

Materials

Hazardous Materials Inventories

The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) and the Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act (SARA) requires that we keep the local CSFD informed of the hazardous materials we have present on campus and the quantities of those items.  In addition, we are requried to train employees  in the hazards of the chemicals present in the workplace. As a result, all units shall develop inventories to assure that proper training for all chemicals is provided.

Individuals who use, store or handle chemicals are responsible for maintaining a current inventory. This inventory shall be in a electronic format which is either accessible by or submittable to EHS in a timely manner. The preferred inventory management tool is Quartzy.  

A sample form as an Excel spreadsheet is available. EHS can also help with setting up a Quartzyaccount as part of the UCCS Quartzy account. The Department/Unit may submit the inventory in an existing inventory format, as long as this minimum information is included and EHS can open the file. The inventory must be submitted electronically.

Questions or problems should be referred to the EHS (255-3212)

Maintaining a current inventory can reduce the number of unknowns and the tendency to stockpile chemicals. It also provides an opportunity to check the integrity of the chemicals and containers (i.e. picric acid that has become dry) and assures that a unit has not exceeded the quantity limitations for certain classes of chemicals

 

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE INVENTORY

At typical inventory will include the following information:

  • Inventory Date
  • Chemical Location (building name, room number, if located in specific locker or storage unit - indicate as specifically as possible)
  • Chemical Label Name
  • CAS Number (if applicable)
  • Manufacturer (if trade name product)
  • Item or Product Number (required if not a pure chemical with a CAS Number)
  • Physical state (solid, liquid, gas)
  • # of containers (for each size -enter multiple lines for the item if you have multiple size containers)
  • Amount/container
  • Units of measure per container (solids by weight, liquids by volume, gases by cylinder size)
  • Notes (optional)
  • NFPA Fire (Red) Rating from label or SDS - EHS can assist with this
  • NFPA Health (Blue) Rating from label or SDS - EHS can assist with this
  • NFPA Reactivity (Yellow) Rating from label or SDS - EHS can assist with this
CONDUCTING AND MAINTAINING THE INVENTORY

A designated person, such as the laboratory manager or a student assistant, may physically conduct the inventory but the individual responsible for the laboratory or unit (Primary Investigator, Director, Supervisor etc.) is ultimately responsible for accuracy and must ensure the inventory is submitted and maintained.  The inventory should be updated whenever new materials are introducted into the work center and reviewed at least annually.

During the course of the inventory, the individual should check the following:

  • Condition of containers (no leakage, corrosion, or crystallization)
  • Verify that highly toxics are stored in secondary containment (adequate to contain the contents in catastrophic failure of the primary container) when required
  • Hazards are indicated on the individual containers as well as adjacent to the storage location (usually using the NFPA diamond)
  • That excess or unused chemicals are returned to stock or properly disposed
  • That chemicals are properly stored with incompatibles segregated
  • That highly toxics are stored in a locked cabinet and that cabinet is kept locked