Chemical Procurement
All chemicals procured at Tulane must be ordered through SciQuest. Chemical orders placed through SciQuest are routed to OEHS for review. OEHS reviews all chemical purchases for the following:
- Hazards associated with the chemical(s).
- The quantity being requested for purchase.
OSHA regulations require that an SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) be written for all hazardous chemicals handled in the lab. The SOP must describe safe handling practices, personal protective equipment (PPE), engineering controls (e.g., fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, snorkels), and any other necessary measures.
If an SOP is required for a specific chemical, an OEHS representative will contact the person who ordered the chemical or the lab's PI to inform them of this requirement. We ask that you comply with this request and develop a lab-specific SOP for handling the chemical if your lab does not already have one. Refer to the SOP Guidelines for instructions on creating lab-specific SOPs, including FAQs and a template.
When new chemicals are purchased, the SciShield inventory must be updated accordingly.
Any chemicals that have associated biohazards will be forwarded to the Office of Biosafety for approval.
Before ordering any chemical or material classified as a Controlled Substance, ensure that the PI of the lab has valid licenses from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy (LABP). Without valid licenses, the order will not be approved. Please refer to the DEA Controlled Substance List to determine whether the chemical is classified as a Controlled Substance. For more information on our Controlled Substances program, click here.
Safe Handling and Storage of Chemicals
When storing chemicals, it is important to identify the chemical compatibility based on the hazards indicated in the SDS. The chemical compatibility groups are as follows:
- Incompatible with all other chemicals (often marked as highly toxic or highly reactive)
- Pyrophoric/Water reactive chemicals
- Flammables
- Oxidizers
- Acids (corrosives)
- Bases (corrosives)
- Non-reactive chemicals
While the best practice is to store each group completely separately from others, this is not always possible. At a minimum, the following groups should be stored as far apart from one another as possible:
- Incompatibles
- Pyrophoric/Water-reactives
- Flammables
- Oxidizers
The remaining chemicals may be stored together in secondary containers or on separate shelves within the same cabinet.
Corrosive chemicals (often acids and bases) should be stored in cabinets designed for corrosive chemicals. Acids and bases should be separated from each other, either in separate cabinets or secondary containers.
Flammable chemicals (including many organic solvents) should always be stored in a cabinet designed for flammables. Oxidizers must never be stored near flammables.
Some chemicals may be indicated as peroxide formers. Peroxide formers must never be stored near flammables and must be tested regularly for the presence of dangerous peroxides!
Always check the SDS for information on the proper handling and storage of hazardous chemicals.
Refer to Chemical Compatibility and Storage Guide for more information.
Chemical Waste Disposal
All chemical waste must be disposed of through OEHS. OEHS coordinates the proper collection and disposal of hazardous chemical waste according to local, state, and federal regulations.
Hazardous waste training is required for all employees generating waste at Tulane.
For more information, please visit the Hazardous Waste Management page or email hazwaste@tulane.edu.
