Chemical Safety

High risk experiments must receive prior written approval by the Principal Investigator (PI), Department Head/Chair, EHS and the Institutional Chemical Safety Committee (ICSC). These must be conducted in a labeled designated area, segregated from the normal operations of the laboratory. 

High Risk Materials

Some experiments may be classified as high risk because they utilize, generate, or have the potential to generate hazardous materials that present exceptional hazards. These materials include those classified under the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) as: 

• Pyrophoric liquid
• Flammable gas, Category 1 with hazard statement, "Ignites spontaneously on contact with air."
• Organize peroxide, Type A-B
• Explosives, Division 1.1 - 1.3
• Self-reactive, Type A-B
• Acute Toxicity, Category 1-2 inhalation route exposure for any material which is a gas
• Acute Toxicity, Category 1 for any route of exposure

There are few exceptions to the above. Small scale use of sodium azide as a preservation does not require prior approval, however a designated area should be established for weighing of the bulk material. 

High Risk Processes

Aside from materials, processes may also be classified as high risk and also require prior written approval. These include, but are not limited to:

• Other chemicals/activities that have a significant probability (based on incident history in the literature) to cause a lethal event (e.g. explosion).
• Any chemical process or procedure which the Department Head/Chair has determined to be particularly hazardous.
• Any operation using 50% or greater hydrogen peroxide
• Any operation using 85% or greater perchloric acid
  • Or less than 85% and heated
• Any laboratory procedure or activity that cannot be conducted in accordance with the guidelines established in the UMass Amherst Laboratory Health and Safety Plan/Chemical Hygiene Plan and other state and federal regulations and guidelines.

A risk assessment shall be conducted to ensure the experiment is appropriately classified as high risk. 

To submit experiments for approval, provide a Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to the Department Head/Chair, EHS, and the ICSC. You can use the Prior Approval for Hazardous Lab Operations Form as a template. 

• Order hazardous materials
• Order ethanol
• Request lab supplies
• Request surplus chemicals
• Request hazardous waste pick ups
• Check your inventory and find SDSs
  • Use the Barcode Disposal Log to maintain accuracy of your inventory.
• Update & print lab door, including contact information

For more information on how to utilize SciShield for optimal management, please refer to SciShield Information.