Chemical Inventory - University of Houston
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Environmental Health & Safety

EHS

Chemical Inventory

Principal Investigators and Shop Supervisors are required to prepare or update a chemical inventory (.xlsx template, 24KB) for each of their laboratories or shops no more than two months prior to their scheduled lab inspection. To ensure compliance with HAZCOM and NFPA regulations, all laboratories and shops are required to keep an updated copy of their chemical inventory (.xlsx template, 24KB) on file, which must be made available to EHS upon request. For each hazardous substances in the lab, the information below must be annotated on the chemical inventory:

  • CAS number
  • Chemical name
  • Location in the lab/shop
  • Quantity
  • Receipt Date
  • Expiration date for time-sensitive materials
  • SDS hazard statement

The specific information on any associated health or safety hazards must be readily available to all Laboratory or Shop Personnel. Follow format of the Microfoft Excel inventory spreadsheet in the link above, then submit the inventory via email to EHS. Paper copies will not be accepted. 

Chemical inventories must be submitted in electronic (MS Excel, or similar) format. Paper copies will not be accepted. This is to facilitate inclusion into UH's master chemical inventory, an online repository from which EHS can calculate total chemical inventories on campus and submit required reports to federal, state, and local agencies.  

What to include in your inventory:

  • All chemicals and chemical products (except those listed below)
  • All compressed and liquefied gases
  • Lubricants, fuels, and oils (motor oil, gasoline, diesel, vacuum pump oil)
  • Aerosol lubricants
  • Paints including spray-paints
  • Pesticides and biocides

What not to include in your inventory:

  • Retail products used and stored in amounts and frequencies typical to ordinary household usage
  • Etiologic agents (bacteria, viruses, select agents, and toxins)
  • Biological culture media, agar, serum proteins, albumin
  • Enzyme preparations
  • Non-hazardous buffers
  • Radioactive materials (unless mixed with hazardous chemicals)
  • Pre-packed test kits for medical labs
  • Commercially packaged drugs in solid, final form (tablets, pills) for direct administration
  • Commercial food, drugs and cosmetics, covered by the FDA
  • Materials to be used within 1-2 days (“working solutions”)
  • Hazardous waste