Compliance

RSS Chemicals – Control Area/MAQ/HMIS reports
Note: this is highly dependent on accurate inventories and correctly assigned building attributes

MAQ Compliance Strategies

MAQ Compliance can be achieved in a number of ways. The most common solutions are outlined below. Often, a combination of approaches is ideal for Chemical Inventory Owners.

Reduction in Chemical Inventory

The most obvious method for achieving MAQ Compliance is to dispose of unwanted or older chemicals. When chemical inventories are regularly updated and reviewed, this can be streamlined by identifying containers that are expired, damaged, or rarely used. Consider disposing of duplicate chemicals to maintain a smaller number of chemicals on hand. Transition to purchasing smaller container sizes more frequently rather than stockpiling bulk quantities.

Storing Materials in "Approved" Storage

Most hazardous materials qualify for a storage “bonus” when the containers in that hazard class are stored within approved storage cabinets. MAQs can be doubled for many hazardous materials when the containers are stored within approved storage. Appropriate storage is dependent on the material. Campus Fire Marshals can provide materials-specific guidance.

Utilizing Stock Rooms

For some campus departments, there is a central stock room containing commonly used chemicals. Consider maintaining smaller quantities of chemicals within labs, using them up completely (and disposing of), and ordering from the stock room when needed. 

Moving Chemicals to a Different Location

For labs that occupy different rooms or buildings, consider moving higher hazard chemicals to alternate control areas with greater capacity. In general, MAQ limits are more generous on the ground floor and most restrictive on upper floors. Consider sharing or borrowing less commonly used chemicals from collaborator labs.  RSS Chemicals also has a share chemical function.

Replacing Chemicals With Less Hazardous Chemicals

Certain chemical families have very restrictive MAQs. When possible, replace high hazard chemicals with lower hazard chemicals. For example, certain metal powders are considered pyrophoric solids (MAQ = 4 pounds). Alternate vendors may sell the same metal powder which is classified on the SDS as a flammable solid (MAQ = 125 pounds) rather than a pyrophoric solid.

Reviewing Chemical Purchase Orders

Certain chemical hazard categories may be flagged by EH&S prior to ordering. This will enable real time review of chemical inventories to determine if certain chemicals will trigger an MAQ overage. For labs that maintain accurate inventories and dispose of items (delete them from their chemical inventory) prior to ordering new materials, “replacement” chemicals will be unlikely to contribute to MAQ problems.

Building Modifications

Buildings or rooms can be designed to safely store unlimited quantities of hazardous materials. High Hazard (Group H) occupancies should be considered in certain circumstances, though the construction costs are higher. Other construction improvements that can increase chemical quantities can include:  adding full automatic fire sprinklers throughout a building (doubles MAQs for most hazardous materials), constructing additional control areas in a portion of a building, converting rooms or buildings to Group L (Laboratory) occupancies. Options can be discussed with the Campus Fire Marshal.

Toolbox of solutions from MAQ TF report