# Chemicals and Hazardous Materials ## Chemicals and Hazardous Materials ![Hazard symbols on the chemical tank.](/sites/g/files/omnuum641/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2025-06/AdobeStock_4903735192.jpeg?itok=3h27By8u) ## expand\_more ## Summary How to manage and work with chemicals and hazardous materials in buildings, labs, operations, and on construction projects. ## Who is this for? All students, faculty, and staff and everyone in Harvard buildings. ## Working with or handling chemicals Always review chemical safety data sheets (SDS) and chemical information before working with or handling chemicals. - [ChemWatch SDS database](https://jr.chemwatch.net/chemwatch.web/account/autologin?domain=harvard&login=everyone&password=everyone19838): Safety information about lab, building trade, and custodial chemicals. Use your HarvardKey to access ChemWatch. - [PubChem lab chemical safety summaries](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/): Lab-focused chemical hazard summaries. Open all sections Close all sections ### Lab and research chemical requirements expand\_more Everyone at Harvard who performs lab work should review lab chemical safety information, including the [Harvard Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP)](/resource/chemical-hygiene-plan "Chemical Hygiene Plan") and chemical safety reference materials that include SDSs. Use this information to: - Understand administrative requirements and responsibilities. - Comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations. - Identify chemical hazards. - Follow guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOP). - Safely handle and use chemicals. - Properly store and dispose of chemicals. ### Workplace hazardous chemical requirements expand\_more Building and operations management must follow hazard communication requirements to manage hazardous chemicals. - Provide safety information to help staff identify and evaluate hazardous chemicals used in their workplace. - Ensure all staff complete training on how to read SDSs and to understand chemical hazards. - Label containers of hazardous chemicals that could pose a physical or health hazard to exposed staff in the workplace. #### Hazardous chemical label requirements Each label must include (as applicable): - Manufacturer name and address. - Brief description of the chemical. - Main ingredients. - Major hazards, including: - National Fire Protection Association 704 label for fire hazards. - Globally Harmonized System pictograms and hazard warnings for potential exposure risks. - Personal protective equipment (PPE) for handling the chemical. - Instructions to safely use the chemical. - First aid information. - Storage instructions. - Container disposal instructions. ## Chemical and hazardous material safety at Harvard delete [### Chemical and Hazardous Waste ](/resource/chemical-and-hazardous-waste) medication [### Controlled Substances ](/resource/controlled-substances) apartment [### Hazardous Building Materials ](/resource/hazardous-building-materials) info [### Lab Chemical Safety Guidelines ](/lab-chemical-safety-guidelines) label [### Lab Labels and Signs ](/resource/lab-labels-and-signs) check\_box [### Lab Standard Operating Procedure Templates ](/lab-standard-operating-procedure-templates) search [### Nanomaterials ](/resource/nanomaterials) mail [### Shipping and Transportation ](/shipping-and-transportation) account\_balance [### Toxic Substances Control Act Chemicals ](/resource/toxic-substances-control-act-chemicals) ## Related resources Find documents and online tools for chemical and hazardous material safety. [### Acid and Base Chemical Storage Groups ](/resource/acid-and-base-chemical-storage-groups)Common acid and base chemical storage groups [### Chemical Hygiene Plan ](/resource/chemical-hygiene-plan)Chemical safety requirements and guidelines for labs, including lab chemical standard operating procedures (SOP) [### Chemical Hygiene Plan and Exposure Control Plan Annual Review Form ](/resource/chemical-hygiene-plan-and-exposure-control-plan-annual-review-form)Form to document reviewing or updating a chemical hygiene plan (CHP) or exposure control plan (ECP) [### Chemical Inventory and Door Placard System ](/resource/chemical-inventory-and-door-placard-system)LabCup and LabPoint chemical inventory and door placard management systems [### Cold and Warm Rooms ](/resource/cold-and-warm-rooms)Perform experiments or store lab materials in cold and warm rooms [### Cold and Warm Rooms Poster ](/resource/cold-and-warm-rooms-poster)Printable poster for cold and warm rooms [### Construction EHS Exhibit: Hazard Communication ](/resource/construction-ehs-exhibit-hazard-communication)Construction chemical and hazardous materials hazard communication requirements [### Hazardous Gas Manual ](/resource/hazardous-gas-manual)Hazardous gas requirements for labs [### Isoflurane Exposure Control ](/resource/isoflurane-exposure-control)Limit exposure to isoflurane [### Lab Chemical Storage ](/resource/lab-chemical-storage)Lab chemical storage guidelines, groups, and locations [### Lab Chemical Storage Flowchart ](/resource/lab-chemical-storage-flowchart)Flowchart guide to store chemicals used in labs [### Lab Disinfectants Poster ](/resource/lab-disinfectants-poster)Printable poster about disinfectants for lab work [### Lab Fume Hoods ](/resource/lab-fume-hoods)Lab fume hood safety procedures [### Lab Glove Selection ](/resource/lab-glove-selection)Choose gloves for skin protection skin against chemical contact hazards in labs [### Lab Safety Guideline: Cryogenic Liquid Nitrogen and Argon ](/resource/lab-safety-guideline-cryogenic-liquid-nitrogen-and-argon)Work with cryogenic liquid nitrogen or liquid argon in a lab [### Particularly Hazardous Chemicals ](/resource/particularly-hazardous-chemicals)Examples of particularly hazardous chemicals [### Toolbox Talks ](/resource/toolbox-talks)Informal discussion guides about occupational safety topics [ All chemical and hazardous material safety resources arrow\_circle\_right ](/all-chemical-and-hazardous-material-resources) ## EHS support [Contact EHS](/contact-us "Contact Us") for more information about chemical and hazardous material safety, including: - Hazard communication and hazardous workplace chemicals. - Hydrogen gas and oxygen storage. - Isoflurane exposure control. - Particularly hazardous or potentially unstable chemicals. See also:- [ All Students, Faculty, and Staff ](/audience/all-students-faculty-and-staff) - [ Building and Operations Managers ](/audience/building-and-operations-managers) - [ Labs and Research ](/audience/labs-and-research) - [ Building and Operations Management ](/topic-areas/building-and-operations-management) - [ Environmental Management and Permits ](/topic-areas/environmental-management-and-permits) - [ Chemicals and Hazardous Materials ](/topic-areas/chemicals-and-hazardous-materials) - [ Labs ](/topic-areas/labs)