Sonoma State University

Chemical Safety Committee Meeting Minutes August 19, 2019

Minutes

  1. Chemical Safety for Fall 2019

    1. Goals

    2. Needs – What is needed to be successful

    3. Committee Meetings – how often do we want to meet

The goal as stated from the committee members was to work together to fill in knowledge gaps concerning chemical use, storage and handling.  Overall, the theme was training, in particular incidental spill response.  A training deck and instructions would be really helpful to the techs.

Who needs to be a part of the committee?  The techs are really the biggest player in chemical handling.  It was acknowledged that a faculty member would be beneficial and perhaps that would be the chemistry chair.

When or how often we meet?  Should be before each semester to discuss topics as a group.  It was agreed by all, that they have access to the EHS dept and that seems to suffice for most general topics such as waste, training, etc.

  1. Chemical Hygiene Plan

    1. Change in who is Responsible

    2. Any changes needed departmentally

It was discussed with the Dean of Science to remove her from the person responsible for the CHP and replace it with Dir of EHS.  I have no problem with that as long as EHS receives support when and if decisions concerning chemicals and chemical use come up.

The only addition I would like to see would be a placard (see handout) utilized by other Universities to document what hazards, chemicals, fume hoods, storage are located within each laboratory.  We will need a final decision before the Spring Semester 2020.

  1. Chemical and waste labeling

    1. Need for all hazardous waste to have the hazwaste sticker on it

    2. Chemical labels need to follow the GHS standard

    3. Chemical storage (near hazwaste area and Darwin)

A handout explaining the GHS changes was passed out for the techs to utilize.  It also provides for where GHS compliant labels can be generated.

All Hazardous Waste needs to have a sticker with what it is and the day the first drop of waste enters the container.

EHS would like to propose for Darwin to have its’ own chemical disposal containers in the alley between the Rec Center.  This would allow for our disposal company to make a stop at their container to lab pack and haul away the waste.  At present, waste is taken by cart from Darwin to the Aux Corp Yard for placement in the EHS disposal containers.  I would like to move away from the practice of transporting hazardous waste through campus.

  1. Laboratory Inspections

    1. RSS – will be out to train hopefully before end of year

    2. Method currently being utilized

    3. Where are records kept/maintained

Our new Environmental Compliance Manager will be starting at the end of August.  We will be having RSS conduct training on how to use the software.  I will let all techs know the date so they may attend the training modules concerning laboratory inspections.

At present most are still conducting inspection utilizing a checklist and retaining the information on file for inspection/review.

  1. Student training and documentation

    1. Please ensure it is happening.  Very important

As the new semester begins, please ensure the required student safety training is being conducted for all students.  This information and documentation will be requested during our audit set for Sept. 2019.

  1. Audit

We will be getting audited by the CSU in mid to late September.  There will be records that will need to be reviewed.  If you will be out of office, please let EHS know who will be your backup during the audit.