Chemical Safety Committee Meeting Minutes April 6, 2021
Minutes
Present- Chris Angle, Christy Gorman, Shannon Edwards, Stephanie Thibault, Kandis Gilmore, Ryan Brown, Shannon Edwards, Ruth LeBlanc, Sujan Bhattarai, Shahram Marivani, Dan Crocker, Philip Mooney, Aimee Eicher, Carmen Works
Reminders
Christy mentioned that Self-Inspections are due for Spring 2021 semester, anytime before the end of the semester.
EH&S Annual Inspections
completed: Chemistry, thanks to all that facilitated the inspection process.
due: Biology on April 22nd. Stephanie asked if she had to accompany the inspectors during the inspection, to which Christy replied that she only needed to be available to open things or for specific questions should they arise.
Student Safety Training Forms and Metrics- Ruth clarified that EH&S would review a sample for inspection purposes, i.e. review 10% of the forms based on the current department student roster.
Carmen asked if they could use their own student training forms. Ruth commented that they could use their own form if it meets or exceeds the form provided in the CHP. She also directed that departments using a different form send a copy to EH&S for approval and maintain the emails as documentation.
Phil made an adobe signature form to their website, making it easier to assign the task to students and archive the completed forms.
It was recommended to collaborate with Rosemary in Biology whom has a good digital tracking protocol in place.
Website information
Labels- Chris reviewed secondary container and hazardous waste labels on the EH&S website.
Shahram mentioned that he had chemicals containers with uncertain hazardous contents, Chris told him to try and collaborate with colleagues to gain the information to appropriately label the containers, and perhaps work with the Chemistry department to identify hazard properties vice the alternative of his department paying for unknown analysis, which can cost thousands of dollars.
Hazardous Materials Donations- EH&S reminded the group that donations of equipment and chemicals are not allowed by SSU procurement policy. There is typically a disposal cost down the road that negates the benefit of a free donation. Ruth mentioned that departments would pay the disposal fees for equipment or materials that they accepted outside of normal procurement processes.
RSS
Inspections
Metrics on observations/findings-
Christy presented analytical trends in citable findings during EH&S inspections, the most common being the lack of Fire Ext./Emergency Exit signs, improper labeling of hazardous materials, and improper storage of hazardous materials.
Christy presented tips for successful self inspections:
The purpose is to overcome the human tendency to become too familiar with hazards in an area. The first inspection should use the PI and an inspector.
Evaluate processes as well as environment
Follow up on findings. Establish a deadline, document findings and corrections. Pictures are one of the easiest ways to document a correction.
Ruth commented that the level of RSS utilization has grown significantly this year, propelling our campus from one of the worst overall to one of the best regarding this requirement. Monumental effort on behalf of SST.
Assessments
Shared spaces- EH&S was asked to look into grouping options for shared spaces within RSS, to allow for separate reports in each shared facility. Christy mentioned that this may not be possible for EH&S inspections of shared facilities, although separate groups for self inspections and chemical inventory is possible and in most cases already established.
Chemicals
Inventory migration underway. This will allow departments to share and cross-level hazardous materials in their inventory with greater efficiency. Carmen asked if the bar codes needed to be retained after a container was emptied. Christy replied that the bar code can be thrown away at that point, they weren’t intended to be recycled.
It was requested that Christy send out the excel file shell for chemical inventory designed to upload into RSS, which she did immediately following the meeting.
Carmen mentioned that Bogdan was using a different bar code system for inventorying his chemicals. Christy mentioned that RSS was mandated for use for chemical inventories.
RSS Training Academy- Christy shared links to the online RSS training academy to allow for greater instruction for new users of RSS.
Chris showed before and after photos of chemical storage observed during EH&S inspections, which demonstrated how cabinets were getting damaged by chemicals stored within them without secondary containers. A simple plastic tray used for secondary containment solved the problem.
Chris mentioned that across the board, hazardous waste is not being stored properly. Containers are often being stored on carts, on countertops and in fume hoods, as opposed to in designated storage areas segregated from in use chemicals. He recommended more regular transfers of hazardous waste to external storage sheds.
Announcements/Updates
Hazardous Materials Approval Procedure- Christy reviewed the procurement program on the EH&S website, going over the flowchart with the committee.
MSDS Online QR code- Christy showed the MSDS Online QR code on the EH&S website which can be posted to facilitate quick access to safety data sheets.
Carmen asked if they could get one for the stockroom. Ruth commented that they can easily be printed up for immediate use, but replied that EH&S would look into getting some made for high traffic areas.
Shannon asked if they still needed to keep SDS binders if they have MSDS Online QR’s posted.
Christy mentioned that either method was okay, and recommended that if there were few chemicals, a binder might work better for quick reference, whereas high volume inventories were better off using the website.
Chris mentioned that it was incumbent on the owner to ensure that the materials requiring SDS in the area were available on MSDS online, and if they weren’t to send the SDS to EH&S and we would get it uploaded. Stephanie was given accolades for proactively sending SDS to EH&S for this purpose.
