The following procedures are designed to provide a safe working environment for students, faculty and staff as well as to be in compliance with OSHA regulations. All chemicals will be assigned an inventory number and the information will be maintained in a computer file. An inventory card with pertinent information, including storage code, for each chemical will be provided to the person ordering the chemical, and these cards are to be retained at the lab location assigned to that person. The inventory number, hazard rating, and storage code will be marked on the chemical container. The storage code will be indicated by colored tape, which will assist the user in the proper placement in the storage area.
Most manufacturers provide storage information and hazard warnings on their labels.
Fisher Scientific and J.T. Baker chemical labels are especially comprehensive. Be sure to review the information on the labels. When the chemical container is empty, notify the Lab Manager and the chemical will be removed from the computer inventory. A convenient way to accomplish this is to return the inventory card to the Lab Manager with the disposal date indicated. Contact the Lab Manager if you have concerns about disposal of the empty chemical container.