Chemical Hygiene Plan

Chemicals: procurement

Chemicals of any type can pose a particular hazard if they are present on campus in great excess or are stored for an excessive period of time.   The chemical hygiene plan addresses both of these issues.   Ultimately it is the responsibility of the chemical hygiene officer to request and purchase new chemicals, although this duty may be delegated to a purchasing officer.   Any chemicals that you need should be requested through her or him.   The chemical hygiene officer will then check the chemical inventories to make sure that the chemical is not present anywhere else on campus; if it is on campus the chemical hygiene plan calls for using the pre-existing stock before it is repurchased. If chemical is not on-campus, or if the chemical is on-campus but not at the quantity that the chemical is needed, the chemical hygiene officer will purchase enough of this chemical for the current needs. However, because great quantities of chemicals and long-term storage of chemicals can be hazardous, the chemical hygiene officer will not purchase large quantities just to save money.   No monetary savings can ever justify putting persons at risk.