Chemical Safety Program

Many facilities within the University contain chemicals and hazardous materials that are essential for their operation.

The Chemical Safety Program is responsible for the development and oversight of programs to ensure the safe handling, use, transport, collection, storage, and disposal of chemicals generated by teaching, research or administrative support activities.

Laboratory, Shop, and Studio Chemical Safety Resources

RWU MNS Laboratory Safety Agreement
RWU MNS Chemical and Biological Hygiene Plan
  • Required by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1450
  • This plan pertains to employee and student education about the potential hazards of chemicals and biological materials in the laboratories, and discusses storage, handling, transportation, labeling, disposal, and procuring procedures, as well as overall laboratory safety and security practices
RWU Laboratory Waste Management and Disposal Guide

  • This document provides additional information on laboratory waste management and disposal for various waste types. This document is a supplement to the Chemical and Biological Hygiene Plan.

RWU Laboratory, Shop, and Studio Emergency Contacts Poster
  • This document provides emergency contact numbers for RWU and local emergency responders
RIDEM Regulations: Hazardous Waste Regulations

  • Copy of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Hazardous Waste Regulations 

RIDEM Publication: Hazardous Waste Compliance Workbook for Rhode Island Hazardous Waste Generators
  • Copy of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management compliance workbook, discussing waste management strategies, waste characterization, and compliance requirements

Campus-Wide Chemical Safety Resources

Hazardous Waste Contingency Plan
  • Required by EPA 40 CFR 264 and RIDEM Hazardous Waste Regulations 5.14(F), (G), (H)
  • This plan outlines the reporting and response actions to be taken in the event of a hazardous waste emergency (spill, explosion, fire, injury/illness)
  • This is a blank copy of the contingency plan poster, which must be printed out, completed, and placed conspicuously next to phones in the immediate vicinity of hazardous waste storage areas
Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures Plan (SPCC Plan)
  • Required by EPA 40 CFR 112
  • This plan outlines the preventative measures, control (halting actions), and countermeasures (response actions) to be taken to prevent, halt, and remediate oil pollution from oil storage container spills and releases
Hazard Communication Plan
  • Required by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200
  • This plan pertains to employee education about the potential hazards of chemicals in the workplace (Laboratory chemical usage is covered by the Chemical and Biological Hygiene Plan above)
  • Updated to meet HazCom2012 Standard (GHS; Globally Harmonized System)
RWU SDS Library
  • This online library hosts all of the RWU Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
  • The SDS library is searchable by chemical name, chemical manufacturer, and RWU storage location