​Ch​emical Safety​

​Contact Us:
 
Dave Szpunar
Ch​​​emical Safety Officer
Office Phone: 715-346-4154
Cell:715-310-1945
 
dszpunar@uwsp.edu​​​​​
​

Mandatory Chemical Annual Hygience Training
​

 Please email Dave for information regarding training. As available, more information will be listed below.​

​Chemicals should be stored in a safe manner and segregated by chemical characteristics to avoid incompatibilities. It is the responsibility of the laboratory supervisor to determine and maintain a facility wherein chemical compatibility of stored substances is such so as not to endanger the health and safety of the employees. 

​Secondary containment or other segregation options may be necessary to address compatibility concerns when storage is not adequate. Secondary containment is also a valuable tool to prevent spills. 

Chemical inventories in working laboratories should be kept to a minimum to reduce exposure, waste, and associated risks.

USE, HANDLING, AND DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL WASTE

​All hazardous chemical waste should be disposed of according to WI Department of Natural Resources Hazardous Waste Administrative Rules and Statutes. EHS Specialists are available to assist and consult with departments in hazardous waste management and to arrange all hazardous waste disposals through hazardous waste management.​​ Waste streams should be characterized and appropriately set up fo​r the proper accumulation of waste.

Hazardous waste training is required for employees involved in the management or generation of hazardous wastes. Questions regarding the disposal of hazardous chemical waste or training should be directed to am EHS Specialist or Risk Management.

See, UW-Stevens Point hazardous waste information​ and Chemical Hygiene Plan​ Section 5.4 for more details.

​PARTICULARLY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES (PHS) 

A list of the particularly hazardous substance (PHS) known to be present using an identity that is referenced on the appropriate safety data sheet should be kept by each department. Departments are responsible for maintaining these lists for their laboratories. An index of SDS could serve as this list. The PHS approval form can be found in the Chemical Hygiene Plan.

LABELING​​

Containers of hazardous chemicals are to be labeled as described below. Labels for stationary and portable containers will be provided by each department and in most cases can be purchased through Central Stores, the vendor, or printed in-house.

The OSHA 1910.1450(h) hazard identification requirements allow for certain containers not to be labeled in a lab. Hazardous chemicals obtained from a manufacturer or supplier must be shipped with certain labels already affixed to the container. The labels placed on the container by the manufacturer/supplier are required to have the identity of the hazardous substance, appropriate hazard warning, and the name and address of the manufacturer. Labels on incoming containers of hazardous chemicals at UWSP (e.g. from the manufacturer) should remain on the container and protected against damage.

Even though manufacturers and suppliers have the primary responsibility in labeling containers of hazardous chemicals, UWSP is responsible for appropriate labeling of secondary containers of chemicals (i.e., when dispensed into another container from a primary container) or relabeling original containers when the label becomes defaced or is removed. Unless approved by the Department CHO under the standard, or is allowed or meets the below secondary label exemption, secondary containers of hazardous chemicals in the lab or those with defaced manufacturer labels are to be labeled, tagged, marked, or otherwise identified with the following legible and prominently displayed information:

• Identity of the hazardous chemical(s), matching the SDS name.​

• Appropriate hazard warnings, or alternatively, words, pictures, symbols, or a combination thereof, which provide at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals, and which, in conjunction with the other information immediately available to employees will provide employees with the specific information regarding the physical and health hazards of the hazardous chemical. Hazard warning means any words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof appearing on a label or other appropriate form of warning which convey the specific physical and health hazards, including any target organ effects, of the chemicals(s) in the container(s). The hazard warning may require a brief statement of the physical and health hazard effects of the chemical (i.e., "flammable," "causes lung damage," etc.).

TIP: Use the information provided on the manufacturer label or SDS when developing secondary labels.

Additional Resource: Environmental Protection Agency-Label Container Examples

Secondary container labeling exemption: UWSP is not required to label secondary containers into which hazardous chemicals are transferred from labeled containers, and which are intended only for the immediate use of the employee or lab personnel (who know the identity of the chemical) for a class period or shift. If the container is used beyond this timeframe or removed from the laboratory facility, the container is to be labeled properly following the above requirements. GHS labeling requirements should be followed.

NOTE: For Hazardous Waste containers, the label must contain the above information as well as the words "Hazardous Waste" and the appropriate date of waste generation or appropriate satellite accumulation date requirements. Contact an EHS Specialist and visit the UW-Stevens Point hazardous waste page​.​ for more information.

​PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

​​When working with hazardous chemicals, routine personal protective equipment may include a laboratory coat (or equivalent) and protective eyewear. Special procedures may require special protective equipment on a case-by-case basis. For example, gloves made of chemically compatible material should be worn for work with strong corrosives or with particularly hazardous substances as applicable. If such special procedures are routinely encountered, they should be included in the standard operating procedures for the department.

Departments should assess the laboratories to determine if hazards are present or are ​​​likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment. A written hazard assessment must be completed and on file for each employee position. Contact EHS for guidance on completing these PPE hazard assessments.

Defective or damaged personal protective equipment shall not be used.  

Refer to the Chemical Hygiene Plan Section 5.5 for detailed information.

EMERGENCIES & SPILLS

Follow the UWSP Emergency Management Procedures​ for specific emergency response for the given situations.

For chemical spills, follow UWSP Emergency Management Plan for hazardous materials release​ procedures.​

SIGNAGE

A sign will be posted near appropriate laboratory doors or near the entrances with emergency contact information, emergency telephone numbers, the responsible laboratory supervisor or pertinent personnel, appropriate chemical warnings, safety instructions, and other pertinent information.

Caution and warning signs indicating special or unusual hazards shall be posted as necessary and deemed appropriate by the EHS Specialist, Principal Human Resources Officer, Lab Supervisor, or Department. For sign definitions see the ​signs explanations​ document. Chemicals likely requiring signage are particularly hazardous substances as discussed on section 5.9 of of​​ the Chemical Hygiene Plan. For more details, see the Chemical Hygiene Plan​ section 5.8 and 5.9.​


​WORKING ALONE OR IN ISOLATION GUIDELINES​

​EMPLOYEE AND STUDENT MANDATORY, REFRESHER and ADDITIONAL TRAINING

​Laboratory employees, student laboratory assistants, other university affected employees, and students must receive appropriate training mentioned within the Chemical Hygiene Plan​ Employee and Student Training section 7.0 annually. 

Employees must have attended standard Hazard Communication training prior to attending Laboratory Safety Training. Training sessions should be documented and kept on file by the department.

Mandatory Annual Chemical Hygiene Training for Laboratory Use of Hazardous Chemicals

All university employees (faculty, staff, and student employees) working in a laboratory setting with hazardous chemicals are required to receive annual Chemical Hygiene Training (CHT).

OSHA mandated Chemical Hygiene Training is offered in two ways: in-person and as refresher training online.

Canvas course with self enrolled links​​

More information about training optiosn for this fall. Please email Dave for information regarding training for summer 2025 staff and Fall 2025.

Refresher training online:  ​

Faculty and staff that have had CHT previously while employed by UWSP are eligible for online refresher training via Canvas. Only individuals that have had CHT previously are eligible for on-line refresher training. If you received an email "Course Invitation" you are eligible! If you had CHT and did not receive an invitation or cannot access the Canvas course, please contact Dave Szpunar.

Those taking the online quiz are required to review the presentation prior to completing the online quiz.  Those that have had CHT in the past but wish to take the in-person training are welcome to do so.  If you encounter a problem contact, Dave Szpunar .

Who should attend training?  

If you meet all four criteria below (i-iv), you are required to receive CHT.

Laboratory use of hazardous chemicals means handling or use of such chemicals in which all of the following conditions are met: 

(i) Chemical manipulations are carried out on a "laboratory scale;" 

(ii) Multiple chemical procedures or chemicals are used; 

(iii) The procedures involved are not part of a production process, nor in any way simulate a production process; and

(iv) "Protective laboratory practices and equipment" are available and in common use to minimize the potential for employee exposure to hazardous chemicals.​