Guidelines that drive the Chemical Management System

DOE Office of Oversight Analysis Report, "Chemical Safety," September 1998.  [Department of Energy, Environment, Safety and Health Website]

"Following the 1994 report's issuance (Chemical Safety Vulnerability Working Group Report), some sites have improved the practices or chemical inventory and control by implementing "just-in-time" procurement practices and/or computer-based inventory systems, both of which have proven effective in reducing inventory and tracking the use of chemicals.

"DOE Report, "Chemical Safety Vulnerability Working Group Report," DOE/-0396P, September 1994.  [Department of Energy, Environment, Safety and Health Website]

Accurate inventory information is a crucial aspect of chemical safety because

• it enables implementation of systems to control and minimize the onsite quantities of hazardous chemicals.
• it provides emergency responders (such as firefighters) with the information they need to respond to emergencies in areas where hazardous chemicals are stored.

DOE Report, "Management Response Plan for the Chemical Safety Vulnerability Working Group Report," DOE/-0398P, September 1994. (PDF)

The plan requires that effective management systems be implemented to control hazardous materials at DOE sites through procurements and inventory control...

• Specifically task #7 of the Management Response Plan, developing Chemical Life-Cycle Management Systems.

Sites will develop and implement inventory tracking and control systems to control the purchase, delivery, storage, distribution, use and disposal of hazardous chemicals to meet regulations, standards and DOE directives.

Chemical Management-Pollution Prevention Opportunity, EPA's Office of Administration [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]

Chemical management is a systematic approach to procuring, storing, and using chemicals within a facility. By implementing a chemical management system, EPA facilities:

• can ensure the health and safety of workers, prevent spills and mishandling, avoid purchasing chemicals already available on-site, and reduce or eliminate the need to dispose of expired chemicals.
• have benefited greatly by reducing excess purchases and unnecessary chemical disposals.

In addition, effective chemical management results in reduced regulatory and administrative costs associated with handling surplus chemicals requiring management as hazardous waste. A facility-wide chemical tracking system can be used to manage newly ordered and existing inventory. Bar-coding can be an easy method to track the amount, types, and location of chemicals on-site.

Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals, Overview and Recommendations

Chapter 4, Management of Chemicals

• ...can be handled best by maintaining a comprehensive, reliably updated inventory, especially in a large institution.
• Maintaining a readily accessible inventory can be expedited if all chemicals are bar-coded and records of their status are continuously updated and made available through computer networking.

Last Modified: February 1, 2008
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