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Students in the lab.

Chemical Health & Safety

Welcome to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Safety Website! 

KSU's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry values a strong, positive safety culture. Our beliefs, behaviors, values, and perceptions all influence the safety culture . An ideal safety culture consists of an informed culture, a reporting culture, a learning culture, a just culture, and a flexible culture which includes not forgetting to be afraid. The department's safety culture requires everyone's participation, and is accomplished through a respectful partnership with faculty, students, staff, EHS and a Departmental Safety Committee.

 

Contact Information

Kara Barnett

Sr. Chemical Health & Safety Coordinator

130 Integrated Sciences Building

Office: (330) 672-2112

Cell: (330) 469-1991

 

Emergencies

For emergencies, call 911.

 

Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)

(330) 672-1950

 

Poison Control

(800) 222-1222

 

University Facilities Management

(330) 672-2345

Safety Policies

A Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) is a written program that outlines the policies, procedures, and responsibilities for protecting faculty, staff, students, and visitiors at KSU from the health hazards of chemicals in a laboratory setting. A University Chemical Hygiene Plan is required by OSHA's Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories standard (29 CFR 1910.1450), also known as the Laboratory Standard. Accreditation with the American Chemical Society (ACS) also requires that chemistry departments write and maintain a Departmental Chemical Hygiene Plan.

Incident Reporting

An incident is an occurrence, condition or situations that arises that has or could have resulted in injuries, illnesses, damage to health or fatalities. All incidents must be reported to (1) allow us to correct the situation and help prevent future occurrences and (2) allow us to document any injuries and seek treatment, if necessary. Report the incident ASAP to the Chemistry Stockroom and Chemical Health & Safety Coordinator. In case of an emergency, always call 911.

Faculty, Staff Post-Docs, Graduate Students, & Student Employees

Incidents involving employees must be reported using the Employee Incident Report. These reports must be completed as soon as possible and submitted no later than two business days after the incident.

Undergraduate Students and Visitors

Incidents involving undergraduate students, not in an employee status, and visitors, must fill out the Non-Employee Incident Report.

Inventory & SDS's

Chemical Inventory

KSU utilizes CEMS for tracking chemical inventory in all of it's laboratory spaces. Access to chemical inventory in spaces must be granted, in writing, by the owner of the laboratory space. If you need training on how to use CEMS, please see the Sr. Chemical Health & Safety Coordinator. 

Disclaimer CEMS is only accessible on-campus or via VPN.

Safety Data Sheets

Safety data sheets (SDS) and additional chemical information may be found with the following resources: 

CEMS

Chemwatch

PubChem

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