Chemical Inventory Management System (CHIMS)

George Conklin Chemical Inventory Coordinator Environmental Health and Safety 6 Eisenhower Parking Deck Tel:

Chemical Inventory Management System CHIMS for short (previously CIMS – changed to avoid conflict with another acronym)

Why Inventory Chemicals ?

1.) Provide users with updated hazard information. MSDS

2.) Provide information for emergency planners and first responders.

3.) Assist with laboratory management.

4.) Compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.

About CHIMS CHIMS uses ChemTracker © - a Web based application developed by Stanford University. ChemTracker © is hosted on a secure web server at Stanford - all information sent to or sent from the server is encrypted. The ChemTracker © Consortium consists of ~20 major universities (including Penn State). EHS has written a draft policy (SY35) regarding the CHIMS – feedback on this policy is welcome.

Definitions CHIMS Chemical Owner Usually the PI or researcher who has primary responsibility for the chemicals in a particular lab, room, or building. CHIMS User Any person authorized to compile, query, or edit a chemical inventory (including the chemical owner).

Security - Access A user’s access is limited to only those portions of a chemical owner’s inventory deemed necessary. Example Chemical owner Dr. Jekyl has two graduate students, Jack and Jill, and maintains chemical inventories in two labs, Lab A and Lab B. Jack works only in Lab A while Jill works in both Lab A and Lab B. User profiles can be created to allow Jill access to both Labs A and B and Jack access to Lab A only.

Pop-up Windows CHIMS uses pop-up windows to inform users of invalid data entries. It is important that any pop up blockers be disabled while using the CHIMS web site.

Logging In... Obtain your userid and password from the CHIMS administrator: Using your Web browser, go to the following address: (there is a link from the PSU-EH&S website

Logging In...

Changing Your Password CHIMS users should change their password after logging in for the first time.

Changing Your Password

Forgot Your Password?

You’re In! Home Tab

Adding Inventory

Saving Defaults

Editing Inventory

Deleting Inventory

Query Search Your Inventory

Inventory Reports Provides hardcopy list of chemicals - Will work for chemical waste manual requirement. - Can print partial report and take to bench to work with. Can view list on-line – may be more convenient and easier to read than query screen. Building Safety Officer will generate regulatory reports.

Saving Your Query Search

Initial Data Entry Can use an Excel spreadsheet (convenient for those who already have their inventories in Excel). Must be in format provided in template spreadsheet (i.e., column order and headings). Certain data in CHIMS have specific values which must match acceptable values present in the system. (validation). Template spreadsheet available on-line or by from CHIMS Administrator Submit completed spreadsheet to CHIMS Administrator -

More About CHIMS For more information about CHIMS, see: For Excel spreadsheet template file to upload initial inventory, see:

Thank You!!!