THE OFFICE OF RESEARCH

RESEARCH INVESTIGATOR HANDBOOK

3. OBTAINING REGULATORY COMMITTEE APPROVALS

3.4 Working with Chemicals

• What does UCSF consider to be a hazardous chemical?
• What approval do I need to work with chemicals?
• Who determines the chemical use policies and procedures at UCSF?
• What resources and training are available?
• Top Tips to prevent laboratory problems
• Relevant policies and procedures

What does UCSF consider to be a hazardous chemical?

The use of chemicals at UCSF is considered to represent potential hazard. These hazards range from health and safety to environmental protection. UCSF policies and procedures have one single, straightforward purpose - to protect all UCSF patients, students, visitors, employees, and the community against unnecessary and potentially harmful chemical exposure.

What approval do I need to work with chemicals?

There is no specific chemical authorization from the Chemical And Environmental Safety Committee (CESC). The Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEH&S) routinely inspects your laboratories for safe handling, containment, and disposal of all chemical materials. However as the Principal Investigator, you are required to maintain a complete and accurate Chemical Inventory and to provide OEH&S with an update every two years, which notes whenever there has been a significant change in your chemical inventory, e.g. changes exceeding 20%.

Either you or someone you appoint to delegate the day-to-day safety program implementation and oversight will be designated as the Laboratory Chemical Safety Officer (CSO). This designee then becomes the primary contact for the Office of Environmental Health and Safety, and the CESC.

Always consult with your Departmental Safety Advisor (DSA) on the safe use, storage and disposal of chemicals.

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Who determines the chemical use policies and procedures at UCSF?

The Chemical and Environmental Safety Committee (CESC) is charged to review the technical, environmental and safety-related aspects of laboratory research involving the use of hazardous and toxic substances. It also is charged with certifying that facilities, procedures and practices have been reviewed and approved. They set the guidelines that OEH&S will use when it inspects your handling and use of chemicals in your laboratory. Contact the Technical Committees Coordinator at (415) 476-2198 for more information.

The CESC arbitrates any campus disagreements regarding laboratory practices and has the authority to limit or revoke, as authorized by the Chancellor, an investigator’s authority to use hazardous or toxic materials if such use presents a hazard to individuals or violates health and safety codes.

What resources and training are available to me at UCSF?

To assist the Campus in achieving its health and safety goals, OEH&S provides:

•	DSA conducts routine safety audits, consultation and training services,
•	Chemical Waste pickup services. Call OEH&S at 476.1771,
•	Personal exposure monitoring as required by regulation,
•	Consulting is provided for any special needs or concerns for chemical use, storage, and waste containment,
•	Safety Guide for Laboratory Employees
•	Safety Training: Laboratory Safety for Researchers, Liquid Nitrogen Safety, Formaldehyde, Hazardous Waste Management, Laboratory Fume Hood Safety, and others.  However, these are not meant to replace requirements for supervisors to train employees in the specific hazards of their workplace,
•	Material Data Safety Sheets (MSDS)

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Top Tips to prevent laboratory problems:

•	Contact your DSA for any questions and problems.
•	Know what constitutes propoer segregation and storage of chemicals,
•	Do not let waste accumulate; call OEH&S at 476-1771 to schedule waste pickup.
•	Focus on minimizing the chemical inventory and waste from your laboratory. When possible use alternative chemicals taht are less hazardous.
•	Never put anything down the sink except soap and water. Never allow chemicals to evaporate in the hood - everything must be capped.
•	Review MSDS prior to working with chemicals and always wear appropriate personal protective equipment. Be familiar with safety equipment such as fume hood, safety shower and eyewash.

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Relevant policies and procedures:

The Chemical Safety Manual describes the policies and procedures that are expected of UCSF hospitals, Principal Investigators (PIs) and laboratory workers in managing their chemical laboratories and inventories, and in satisfying legislative and regulatory requirements of outside agencies. The campus program has been developed to promote safe use of chemicals without limiting academic freedom. The DSA will review your laboratory for compliance with these policies