1. Student Hazardous Material Purchasing Training
Light Version
Updated 8/10/15

2. Minimize Chemical Quantities
Only order enough for your immediate needs
Disposing of unneeded chemicals costs considerably more than the savings you might have by buying “in bulk.”

3. Hazardous Materials
Hazardous Materials are defined as any product or material with one or more of these properties:
Flammability
Corrosivity
Poison/Toxic
Irritant
Sensitizer
Compressed gas (even compressed air)
Asphyxiant
Biological hazard
Radiation hazard or laser

4. Chemical Storage
All hazardous materials must retain their original labels
Secondary containers of hazards (dilutions, in-use bottles) MUST have a label with the contents and the hazard indications. EH&S can help with these secondary labels

5. Chemical Storage
Flammable materials MUST be kept in a flammable storage cabinet if your total amount of flammables is more than one gallon, and you are keeping them more than 7 days
Remember spray paint cans are FLAMMABLE, as is lighter fluid.

6. Compressed Gas Storage and Use
Order only the size you need
If possible, order in returnable cylinders
Contact EH&S for any purchase of compressed gas MORE THAN a 20 pound propane cylinder
Typical compressed gases include:
Propane
Helium
Air

7. Chemical Inventory Entries
If material is hazardous (according to label), and,
If it will be in your possession more than 7 days,
Then it must be put into ChemTracker database

8. Purchasing Hazardous Materials Procedure:
Student makes departmental Finance Team member aware of need to purchase hazardous material.
Finance Team Member determines if student completed appropriate training.
If being used within 7 days of purchase:
3. Item can be purchased with PCard or personal card.
4. If for any reason there are hazardous materials left over, the purchaser needs to immediately submit an EH&S’s Hazardous Waste Pickup Service request.

9. Purchasing Hazardous Materials Procedure:
If will be stored for more than 7 days and/or will gradually be used:
3. Finance Team member seeks storage approval from EH&S
4. If PCard is being used, Finance Team member will route for potential PCard exception.
5. Student turns in receipts to appropriate departmental Finance Team Member.
6. Finance Team Member enters hazardous material detail into DOSA Hazardous Materials Spreadsheet
7. Financial Manager for Student Affairs enters all hazardous material detail into Chemtracker on the 15th of every month.
8. If at any point a hazardous material will no longer be stored or used, the purchaser can submit an EH&S’s Hazardous Waste Pickup Service request.

10. Best Practices: Quick Light Charcoal and Lighter Fluid for One-Time Events
Only purchase the amount of lighter fluid and/or quick light charcoal that is needed for the event. The goal is to not have any leftover.
Purchasing quick light charcoal and lighter fluid is allowed by PCard policy IF all is used up at the event and none is being stored.
If there is leftover lighter fluid/quick light charcoal after an event, the purchaser needs to immediately submit an EH&S Hazardous Waste Pickup Service request
Note: Non-quick light charcoal is not considered a hazardous material, so there are no concerns with it being stored

11. Disposal of Hazardous Materials
EH&S will arrange for all hazardous materials disposal, at no cost to you!
For any hazardous material no longer needed, place a request for pick-up at our web page
You will receive a confirming and can find on the web the next pick-up dates

12. Placing a waste request:
Go to: and make the request!
Placing a waste request:

13. Emergency Response What will you do in the event of a Fire
Chemical spill
Injury or illness?

14. Fires, Spills, Accidents, Injuries
If you have been trained, you may extinguish fires smaller than a wastebasket
If you have been trained, you may clean-up small-scale chemical spills (what’s small?)
Contact EH&S ( ) to arrange for training

15. Safety Equipment and Emergency Response
Know the location and operation of the safety features and equipment in your workplace, such as:
Safety shower
Eye wash
Fire extinguishers
First aid kits
Spill cleanup kits

16. Accidents and Injuries
It is CRITICAL that you report all accidents and injuries to your faculty sponsor or to Student Activities, even if it is a minor issue.

17. Reporting Accidents
Accidents involving injury or illness must be reported on the Supervisor's Injury/Illness Report form (available from HR)
All other accidents/near accidents (injuries, fires, spills, explosions) shall be reported in writing to EH&S ASAP after the occurrence.
Contact Campus Police to arrange escort to Presbyterian University Hospital Emergency Department

18. Contact University Police
In the event of
Personal chemical exposure or injury
Significant chemical spill or leak
All fires
Dial
Tell them
What happened and exactly where
If there are any injuries
The name of any chemical involved

19. Chemical Exposure If in eyes, wash for 15 minutes using an eyewash.
If on a large portion of the body, wash away under a safety shower for 15 minutes.
Seek further medical attention.
Call for transport to the hospital.

20. Chemical Exposures Do you have/need an eyewash?
You need one wherever there are corrosive materials being used (acids, bases, caustics) OR when particles (dust, metal) may enter the eye
If you need an eyewash and do not have one, please contact EH&S; there are a number of options available to provide this important piece of equipment!

21. CMU Campus Emergencies
CMU Campus Alert
Receive notifications of campus emergencies by phone or
CMU Mobile Alert App
iPhone app available
Android app is now available also!
To sign up, go to: cmu.edu/alert

22. Additional Training Requirements
You MUST also take additional trainings if you are working with/handling hazardous materials.
Student Hazardous Materials Safety Training
Contact Nicole Juliano or departmental Finance Team member for instructions
Student Shop Safety Training
Contact Kaycee Palko for instructions
Both online courses outline safety procedures you will need to follow
EH&S will answer any questions and provide you with any needed personal protective equipment
Student Hazardous Materials Safety Training and Student Shop Safety Training are separate and different from Student Hazardous Materials Purchasing Training!