ChemTracker, SciShield's chemical inventory module includes retrievable SDS and other enhanced features to make the system intuitive and easy to use!
Laboratory personnel will notice the "ChemTracker" chemical inventory module available in the SciShield system in the expanded menu under the lab's name and in tab at the tob of their lab's main page. By default, PIs and Lab Liasions have the ability to manage and modify the inventory for their labs. By default, all lab personnel will have the ability to view the lab's chemical inventory. The PI also can set permissions for their lab members to include the ability to manage and modify chemical inventory. To assist, PIs & Lab Supervisors can also email scishield@uky.edu to request permissions to be edited for their lab personnel.
University of Kentucky Department of Research Safety policy and best practices stipulate that an accurate chemical inventory, to be reviewed and updated no less than annually, is required for each location that stores chemicals with the following characteristics:
•Carcinogenic or otherwise harmful to human health•Corrosive•Flammable•Oxidizing•Reactive•Toxic•Harmful to the environment•Liquids and gases under pressure, including liquid nitrogen tanks and compressed air cylinders
These materials are identified by both their container and chemical manufacturer-provided SDS. All hazardous chemicals shipped after June 1, 2015, are required to be labeled with specified elements including GHS pictograms, signal words, and hazard and precautionary statements per the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200. GHS Pictograms may be seen here: GHS Pictograms
If the original stock container for a chemical in the lab does not display the GHS pictograms, they were shipped prior to June 1, 2015 and shall be evaluated for expiration date and/or any signs of compromised integrity. Labs are encouraged to promptly submit waste tickets for removal of these items via the E-Trax system.
Chemical storage areas shall be visually inspected at least annually for the removal of expired chemicals or those no longer needed for active research. Chemical containers shall also be checked for structural integrity, and if compromised, either transferred to a compatible container or, if needed, disposed of by contacting Environmental Quality Management (EQMD) at (859)-323-6280. The laboratory’s chemical inventory for the space shall be updated as needed and/or reconciled, at a minimum, once a year.
While some laboratories have opted to utilize alternative systems to document their inventories, we require the lab’s inventory to be submitted into ChemTracker (within the SciShield system) every year in conjunction with the Lab Safety Inspection. This furthers compliance by keeping accurate totals of hazardous material storage within acceptable regulatory limits, informs our first responders in the event of an emergency, and facilitates prompt chemical waste pickup.
Q: Is it mandatory for all the labs to transfer the chemical inventory into the ChemTracker or they could continue using Quartzy if they choose so?
A: For regulatory reporting and requirements of emergency first responders, laboratories are required to upload the laboratory's inventory into ChemTracker and update it on an annual basis.
Q: Can we keep using CHEMATIX instead?
A: Our team's support for this software will be ending and our team will not be able to troubleshoot future issues. A copy of the inventory must still be uploaded into SciShield ChemTracker.
Q: What if we have groups that share inventory?
A: Personnel needing access to modify the shared inventory must be added as lab personnel to all labs sharing the inventory.
Q: I have inventory that is labeled as packs/boxes. What do I uset for the units of measurement?
A: We recommend using "unit" if you have bulk items.
Q: Can we use catalog numbers for the Product Number field?
A: Yes, you can use the optional "Product Number" field to list your catalog numbers. This is the information intended for this column.
Please send any questions regardingchemical inventory to labsafety@uky.edu.
If you already have a spreadsheet of your inventory, please send it to labsafety@uky.edu (.csv or .xls files only). Please provide the name of the Principal Investigator or the laboratory's name as is displayed in SciShield and contact information for us in case we have any questions or problems with the data.
If you do not already have a spreadsheet with compiled inventory information, this information must be manually entered into ChemTracker. Please see the ChemTracker Guidance Information for help, or you may reach out to labsafety@uky.edu, and one of our team members will contact you to assist you or to schedule a tutorial.