Chemical safety

Storage + handling

Hazardous chemicals must be stored, handled and transported properly to prevent chemical exposure, injury, fire or explosion.

Chemical purchasing and delivery

Check your chemical inventory before ordering to avoid over-purchasing. If a very small quantity is required, arrange to obtain the material from another laboratory, using the global inventory search in the laboratory inventory system. 

A free delivery service is available for all hazardous chemical purchases (including stock items) made through Science Stores.  Complete the e-requisition on the Science Stores webpage under “Delivery of hazardous chemicals”

All labs are encouraged to use the delivery service, especially those located furthest away from Science Stores (e.g., Blusson Hall, Saywell Hall). 

Chemical storage

For detailed guidance on safe chemical storage, refer to the Hazardous chemical storage manual. A condensed resource is the quick chemical storage guide.

Chemical transport on campus

Moving chemicals between labs or between a lab and Science stores requires a few basic precautions. A spill during transport can affect the person doing the transporting and others in the vicinity, and can present challenges for cleanup. See Safe hazardous material transport on campus.

Chemical transport off campus

Do you need to transport or ship hazardous chemicals off campus? Refer to Transportation of dangerous goods to learn about requirements.

Chemical waste

Learn about the key laboratory practices to manage chemical waste in the Hazardous chemical waste manual. For information about requesting pickup, reuseable waste containers, waste labels and more, refer to Hazardous waste.

Chemical spill response

For details on how to respond to either a minor or major chemical spill, refer to Spill response.

Specific chemical guidance

Refer to Procedures to find safety fact sheets and procedure templates for specific chemicals, cryogens, energetic materials and more.

Under Program manuals find detailed guidance for working with carcinogens, reproductive toxins and sensitizers or for working with engineered nanomaterials.