RETURN TO CH45 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 45
CHEMICAL HYGIENE AND SAFETY PLAN

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Work Process B. Chemical and Equipment Procurement

1. General Information. LBNL expects individuals to understand the risks of hazardous chemicals they purchase or allow onsite and to minimize the risks of those chemicals through elimination, substitution, reduction, use of engineering/administrative controls, and use of personal protective equipment where necessary. Pre-Procurement Assessment Requirements for Hazardous Chemicals in Section 2 must be met for all chemicals to be allowed onsite. All hazardous materials require screening and approval prior to arrival on-site. Screening and approval requirements for hazardous chemicals are determined by the acquisition route outlined in Section 3.  

In addition, some chemicals and equipment have inherent safety hazards that require special safety controls and authorizations. It is important that these controls are in place before the material is procured and used on site. Materials of concern are listed in the Restricted Items List that is maintained by the Procurement Department in consultation with EHS (Section 4). None of the items on this list may be purchased using credit cards such as Division PCards or corporate credit cards. Section 4 also includes the list of chemical hazard categories that are considered “high hazard chemicals” per Work Planning and Control (high risk, Risk Level 3), and require an approved Work Activity prior to acquisition.

2. Pre-procurement Assessment Requirements for Hazardous Chemicals

1. LBNL expects individuals making the decision to allow a hazardous chemical onsite to do the following:

1. Plan the work that requires the hazardous chemical (or notify the Activity Lead responsible for planning the work of hazardous chemicals that will be used)

2. Have a plan for the disposal of hazardous waste

3. Prepare for the safe use and storage of the hazardous chemical

4. Ensure facilities are adequate, necessary safety controls are implemented, and individuals using chemicals are qualified

5. Know if hazardous chemicals are on the restricted items list and obtain institutional approval for the use of those chemicals including chemicals brought onsite by other institutions (Section 3)

6. Borrow what you need when possible

7. Use less hazardous chemicals when possible

8. Purchase only what is needed for the short term or project; plan for minimum waste and leftover unused hazardous chemicals

9. Start using last of existing stock before buying new supplies (do not stockpile)

2. The SDS should be reviewed prior to using hazardous chemicals. Refer to Work Process E for assessing chemical hazards.  An EHS Health and Safety Representative may also be consulted for guidance.
3. Some equipment contains chemicals that can pose a hazard when mishandled, such as elemental mercury in porosimetry (instruments for characterizing a material’s porosity by applying various levels of pressure to a sample immersed in mercury). When normal operation or reasonably foreseeable mishandling of chemical-containing equipment may result in a loss of control (such as a spill) that could pose an exposure hazard, cause extensive area contamination, or result in environmental damage, the Activity Lead must assess the hazards and implement controls.  An EHS Division subject matter expert may be consulted. Moreover the Work Planning and Control (WPC) Activity for the work using the equipment shall address its off-normal consequences/hazards and the associated controls.

3. Screening and Approval Requirements (Chemical Acquisition Resources)

1. The acquisition of hazardous chemicals (including all compressed and liquefied gas cylinders) is subject to a hazard-based screening and approval process prior to arrival on site. Chemicals that meet the screening criteria and require further approval from EHS and/or Security and Emergency Services (including the Fire Protection Group) will be routed to the appropriate parties for approval based on the hazard, quantity, and location.

1. For chemicals ordered through LBNL's Financial Management System (FMS), including eBuy and ePro, the hazardous chemical procurement decision maker (e.g., Requestor) must indicate whether each requisition line item being ordered is a hazardous chemical or compressed or liquified gas by answering YES then entering the required information. Answering YES will automatically create an inventory record in CMS and information will be sent for screening and approval in CMS prior to the order proceeding.
2. For hazardous chemicals (including compressed or liquified gas cylinders) that require CMS tracking to be acquired outside of FMS, including, but not limited to, primary manufacturer containers from collaborators or those acquired through a non-LBNL purchasing system and transported to LBNL, the Requestor must ensure these chemicals are added directly in CMS and approved prior to arrival on site (i.e. prior to ordering). Chemicals must be added in CMS with "ordered" status and will be routed for the same screening and approval process as for chemicals ordered in FMS.
3. If a chemical to be acquired does not require CMS tracking (e.g. research samples), the Requestor is responsible for assuring the scope of work including hazards, controls, and material quantities are covered by an authorized Work Activity.

2. In any case, the Requestor is accountable for obtaining necessary approvals prior to arrival onsite, including approvals for materials falling under the Physical Security Program's hazardous materials management policy and the Procurement Restricted Items List (see Section 4 below). Approval is facilitated by EHS and will be contingent upon verification that a Work Planning and Control Activity authorizing the scope of work is current and adequate facilities and controls are in place..

4. Restricted Items List and High Risk Chemical Hazard Categories

1. The Restricted Items List includes chemicals and equipment, such as:

1. Biological agent
2. Biosafety cabinets
3. Chemicals and gases (CHEMR):

1. lethal/incapacitating toxicants and relevant precursors
2. hazardous and reactive gases
3. explosive and potentially explosive materials
4. alkali metals
5. select water-reactive chemicals
6. pyrophoric liquids and solids (GHS)
7. beryllium and beryllium-containing compounds
8. unstable and reactive materials
9. Cal/OSHA regulated carcinogens
10. peroxide-forming chemicals: Group A (may form explosive peroxides without concentration - test every 3 months)
11. refrigerants and ozone-depleting substances (sulfur hexafluorixde - SF6)

4. Chemical storage cabinets
5. Fire extinguishers
6. Fume hoods
7. Gas storage cabinets
8. Hazardous and toxic gases
9. Laminar airflow hoods
10. Laser equipment (excluding laser pointers)
11. Radioactive isotopes
12. Refrigerators and freezers for flammable liquid storage
13. Respiratory protection equipment
14. X-ray equipment
15. Refer to the Restricted Items List for the Point of Contact (POC) for specific materials and equipment.

2. High Risk Chemical Hazard Categories per Work Planning and Control (i.e. high hazard chemicals, Risk Level 3) have the highest degree of hazard, in which a loss of control could result in immediate injury or death, and therefore require a higher level of control and authorization. Risk Level 3 Chemical Hazards include:

1. Corrosive, pyrophoric and toxic gases (See also Chapter 13)
2. Explosives (primary and secondary)
3. High acute toxicity chemicals (GHS Acute Toxicity Category 1 and NFPA Health Hazard Rating 4)
4. Hydrofluoric acid and hydrofluoric acid-generating/releasing materials (such as hydrogen fluoride pyridine and buffered oxide etchant)
5. Pyrophoric liquids and solids
6. Tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) and solutions, etchants, and developers containing greater than 1% TMAH
7. Water reactives (GHS substances or mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases, category 1, including alkali metals)
8. See Work Process F. for examples of specific materials of concern.
9. Refer to Work Planning and Control Activity Manager for applicable controls and additional information.

3. Both CHEMR and high hazard chemicals (on a hazard-screening basis) require approval to verify that pre-acquisition requirements in Section 2 were met. As such, the Requestor should include the applicable WPC Activity ID during acquisition (Section 3) as required information to avoid delays.    

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