Chemistry and Biochemistry Safety

The Chemistry and Biochemistry department at UAF prioritizes safety above all else. Our goal is to provide faculty, staff, teaching assistants, and course assistants with the necessary resources to maintain a safe laboratory environment.

In Case of Emergency

Call 911

Chemistry and Biochemistry Laboratory Coordinator and Safety Officer

Dr. Arianna Demmerly

Email: ademmerly@alaska.edu
Phone: 907-474-6748

Chemistry and Biochemistry Lab Manager

Alex Boyle

Email: adboyle@alaska.edu
Phone: 907-474-6287

Risk Management: ACS RAMP Method

The department promotes the management of laboratory hazards and risks using the American Chemical Society's (ACS) RAMP method.

See caption and credit below image for image description
Photo courtesy of ACS
The RAMP Method
Recognize Hazards

We identify hazards using Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) diamonds, and Globally Harmonized System (GHS) symbols. Understanding these tools is crucial for assessing chemical hazards and responding to incidents

Assess Risks

This is the most complicated yet critical step of the RAMP process by evaluating the likelihood and severity of unwanted incidents. Risk assessment should occur during experimental planning and by conducting periodic reviews.

Minimize Risks

Eliminate hazards when possible by applying the hierarchy of controls set by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Strategies include substituting solvents, techniques, and ensuring support systems like waste disposal, PPE, ventilation, and emergency equipment are available and functioning properly.

Prepare for Emergencies

Even with precautions, accidents can occur. Ensure laboratories are equipped with response equipment, including eye washes, showers, spill and first aid kits.

Chemistry and Biochemistry Department Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP)

The Chemistry and Biochemistry Department's CHP is based on the general University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Chemical Hygiene Plan prepared by Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management (EHSRM). This department-specific plan provides guidelines for faculty, staff, and students to work safely in laboratory settings.

Chemistry and Biochemistry Department CHP

Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this CHP is to:

  • Minimize exposure to hazardous chemicals in the laboratory.
  • Prevent chemical-related accidents and injuries.
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
  • Provide procedures for handling, storing, and disposing of hazardous chemicals.

Laboratory Safety Responsibilities

  • Faculty/Principal Investigators: Ensure laboratory safety procedures are followed, provide training to personnel, and maintain a safe working environment.
  • Laboratory Personnel: Follow safety procedures, report incidents/accidents, and participate in training.
  • Laboratory Coordinator: Provide support, guidance, resources and oversight for laboratory safety.

Hazardous Shipping

The Chemistry and Biochemistry department Laboratory Coordinator, Dr. Arianna Demmerly, is certified for International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) shipping.

Shipping Procedures
  1. Contact Dr. Arianna Demmerly (ademmerly@alaska.edu, 907-474-6748) to initiate shipping.
  2. Fill out the shipment request form.
  3. Do not attempt to ship samples or chemicals without approval from a certified hazmat shipper.
  4. Use department-provided shipping supplies, including packing materials and chemical-certified shipping boxes.
  5. If you have questions about shipping supplies or would like to verify the suitability of your own materials, please consult with the certified hazmat shipper.
Shipping Resources

The Chemistry and Biochemistry department provides access to the following shipping resources:

  • IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), Edition 64 (physical copy available)
  • Department  of Transportation (DOT) regulations: 49 CFR 
  • Departmental shipping supplies: Please contact the Laboratory Coordinator to inquire about availability and specifications.

Incident Reporting and Investigation

  • Report all incidents/accidents to the Laboratory Coordinator (907-474-6748) and EHSRM (907-474-5413)
  • Investigations will be conducted to determine root cause and implement corrective actions

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

SOP documents provide instructions, safety precautions and waste guidelines for laboratory tasks deemed hazardous. The Chemistry and Biochemistry department has a list of hazardous chemicals that need an SOP. If you have a chemical you would like to use on the list then you will need to have an SOP for its safe use.

Chemistry Department SOP’s

Note: this is a short list of what the department has available. Please see the google folder here for more.

Inventory and LN2

The Chemistry and Biochemistry department maintains a comprehensive inventory of chemicals, reviewing and updating it annually. New chemicals are added as they are acquired. A general purpose guide is here.

Upon chemical purchase the department provides relevant SDS to laboratories in the Reichardt Building. Electronic SDS information can be accessed through the UAF SDS Portal maintained by EHSRM. If you find that an SDS is not listed for a chemical that you currently have please contact the Laboratory Coordinator.

Inventory Access and Storage

Liquid Nitrogen requests

Liquid Nitrogen dispensing and plant maintenance is conducted by Dr. Carl Murphy. Please contact Dr. Murphy  for information regarding purchasing and dispensing.

Personal Protective equipment (PPE)

The Chemistry and Biochemistry department prioritizes laboratory safety and requires proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for all students and laboratory workers within the Reichardt building.

PPE Policy
  • Gloves are never to be worn outside laboratory areas.
  • PPE must be worn as specified for each laboratory procedure.
  • Familiarize yourself with the department's PPE resources and guidelines.
Available PPE Resources:
  • Hard hats
  • Face shields
  • Chemical Aprons
  • Silver Shield Gloves
  • Shoe and sleeve covers
  • Laboratory coats and nitrile gloves* 

*The following are only available to Chemistry and Biochemistry Department students, staff and faculty.

PPE Selection Guides

Chemical Waste Management

The Chemistry and Biochemistry department adheres to strict guidelines for chemical waste disposal. The following resources will help in maintaining a good waste record and ensuring proper labeling of bottles with appropriate hazards.

Chemical Waste Procedures
  1. Contact the Laboratory Coordinator or building Safety Officer for chemical waste removal.
  2. Follow our Chemical waste SOP by properly label waste containers with proper chemical names, dates and corresponding hazard symbols.
  3. Do not overfill waste containers.
  4. Maintain accurate records using the Hazardous Waste Log Sheet.
Chemical Waste Resources

Required Training for Employees

The required training provides essential information for employees to work safely and comply with federal and state regulations. Below is a list of training current as of 10/1/2024.

Support and Contact Information

For questions regarding training modules or enrollment in our shared training Canvas, please contact the Laboratory Coordinator by email or at 907-474-6748.

Training Completion Requirements

When completing training, remember to:

  • Save all certificates and documentation of successful completion.
  • Upload these documents to the training Canvas for verification and tracking purposes.
  • This ensures accurate record-keeping and compliance.
Important Notes
  • All training must be completed before working in the lab.
  • Training renewal is typically completed on an as-needed basis, unless specified otherwise.

Training Categories and Requirements


Teaching and Course Assistant training: 
  • Complete all training under:
    • General Employee Training
    • Reichardt Building EAP
    • Laboratory Personnel Training
General Employee Trainings (myUA)
  • Workplace Harassment Prevention
  • Behaviour Based Safety
  • Data Security: Malware
  • Data Security: Phishing
  • Title IX*
  • FERPA*
  • Protection of Minors

*Annual training requirements

+ UA Safe Title IX Training: July 1st - October 31st (visit Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability's training page)

+ FERPA: within a year of initial training

General Employee Trainings (UAF EHSRM)
  • Combined Employee Safety Orientation
  • Hazard Communication
Laboratory personnel trainings (UAF EHSRM
  • UAF Laboratory Safety
  • UAF Chemical Hygiene
  • UAF Hazardous Waste Management*

*Yearly training refresher required for Waste Management.

Reichardt Building Specific Training
Other Laboratory Safety Training (dependent on lab work)

Contact the Laboratory Coordinator (907-474-6748) to determine if you need any of the following:

  • Benzene
  • Chloroform
  • Compressed Gasses
  • Formaldehyde
  • Hydrofluoric Acid
  • Lab Sharps
  • Laser Safety
  • Liquid Nitrogen Safety
  • Methylene Chloride
  • Silica

Resources for Labs

We provide the following laboratory based resources to help educate and ensure compliance. If you have any issues navigating the below resources or would like to submit additional resources, please contact the Laboratory Coordinator (907-474-6748)

Regulations Resources

National Research Council Recommendations Concerning Chemical Hygiene in Laboratories (Non-Mandatory)

References (Non-Mandatory)

General Lab Safety and Chemical Storage Resources

Forms 

The following forms are commonly used throughout the Chemistry department. For purchasing please use the chemical purchase form so we can maintain accurate records of hazardous material approval.

Purchasing and Waste

Laboratory Audits and Requests