Chemical Inventory
Campus departments, laboratories, and business units whose operations involve the handling, use, or storage of chemicals are required to maintain a chemical inventory for chemicals that pose a physical or health-related hazard. Chemical inventories are critical tools in emergency planning and response efforts and are required by state and federal laws that govern hazardous material management and reporting.
Chemical inventories are also valuable tools that aid in:
- Controlling costs associated with chemical use
- Reduction of chemical waste
- Reducing improper chemical disposal
What Gets Included in a Chemical Inventory
All hazardous chemicals and chemical products. Typically, these will have a hazard pictogram or a warning label on the container, such as “flammable” or “toxic”.
Common examples include:
- Compressed and liquified gases
- Liquid and aerosol lubricants, paints, adhesives, or solvents
- Fuels and oils in containers
- Pesticides, herbicides
- Commercial or industrial cleaners and disinfectants
- Batteries used to power industrial or heavy equipment
How Often Do Inventories Get Completed?
Inventories need to be completed annually, at a minimum.
It is highly encouraged that they be completed more frequently and especially when major changes to chemical storage or use occur.
Chemical Inventory Submission and Retention
Submit completed and updated chemical inventories to ESH at esh@umbc.edu.
Departments or labs with a SciShield Account can utilize SciShield as a repository for their chemical inventories.
If you do not currently have a SciShield account, they can be retained in any manner as long as it is readily accessible (such as in Google Drive or in Box).
What Information Gets Included?
- Required Information:
- Chemical Name – if it has one
- If no chemical name – use either CAS number or concentration
- Chemical owner (typically a supervisor or manager of the space)
- Hazard class(es) – flammable, toxic, corrosive, etc.
- Building Name
- Room Number
- Amount (number and units – oz’s, liters, gallons, etc)
- Optional but helpful additional information
- Specific location (i.e., flammable cabinet, top shelf)
- Date received
- Expiration date
- Product number or lot number
- Any additional notes (i.e., handling and storage requirements)
Chemical Inventory Template
ESH has a template available for university use. Click here to download a copy.
For additional information, please review the Chemical Inventory Overview presentation. Contact ESH if you have any questions with completing or maintaining a chemical inventory.