Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S)

EH&S staff are typically managing chemical inventories for their campus or health center. These individuals should be very familiar with RSS Chemicals. EH&S often acts as the liaison between chemical users and regulatory agencies and the Campus Fire Marshal, therefore they need to be familiar with the objectives of MAQ compliance and how they impact chemical users. 

  1. Review the report
  2. Identify a program administrator (main POC)
  3. Create a plan for ensuring chemical inventories are updated/accurate using RSS Chemicals

Building attributes assessment

  • Work with Campus Fire Marshals (CFMs) to identify control areas 
  • CFMs must ensure each building has appropriately assigned sprinkler coverage, occupancy type, and floor levels. 

building attributes assessment

Chemical Inventory management

  • Implement a labeling system (barcode/RFID)
  • Coordinate with laboratories and Facilities to use RSS Chemicals for all spaces storing chemicals
  • Coordinate laboratory cleanups
  • Increase disposal of unwanted chemicals
  • Promote sustainability (recycling) of unused chemicals

4. Review MAQ reports per building and control area (Note: this has limited value unless control areas and chemical inventories are accurate)
5. Develop an MAQ Management Plan with CFM

  • Conduct a risk assessment (jointly) 
  • Identify significant problem areas and potential solutions 

6. Work with departments to correct MAQ problems

  • Educate researchers and chemical owners on MAQ compliance
  • Provide different solutions for situations where MAQs are exceeded
  • Identify approved storage for particular hazard classes
  • Update inspection checklists to spot check chemical inventories and to inspect fire barriers 

7. Ensure users complete training
8. Explore alternate funding routes (e.g., BSAS) 
9. Provide metrics for use in annual report