In response to an audit by the Chancellor’s Office, certain chemicals and equipment that have safety or environmental regulatory requirements will require EHS approval for purchase.
See the links below for required forms and more details.
- Request EHS Approval to Purchase Restricted Chemicals or Equipment
- A Process FlowChart to Purchase Restricted Chemicals and Equipment
All questions regarding these rules should be addressed to EH&S sfehs@sfsu.edu or (415) 338-2565.
Equipment Requiring EH&S Approval to Purchase
| Equipment Type | Reason for Purchase Restriction |
| AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) | Periodic Inspection and maintenance is required. Locations must be mapped in Metabim, the facilities buildings and locations database |
| Air Pollution Abatement Equipment | Such equipment is subject to BAAQMD, Bay Area Air Quality Management District regulations. BAAQMD requires a Permit to Construct, a Permit to Operate, and payment of Annual Fees. |
| Biosafety Cabinets | Cal/OSHA Title 8 §5154.2. Ventilation Requirements for Biological Safety Cabinets requires annual testing and certification of proper functioning for the protection of users |
| Chemical Fume Hoods and Ductless fume hoods |
Cal/OSHA Title 8 §5154.1. Ventilation Requirements for Laboratory-Type Hood Operations requires annual testing and certification of proper fumctioning. Title 8 §5143. General Requirements of Mechanical Ventilation Systems. |
| Emergency Eye Wash Stations and/or Deluge showers | Cal/OSHA requires monthly testing to ensure effectiveness and adequate water flow. |
| Emergency Generators (50 HP or greater) | BAAQMD requires an Authority to Construct and a District Air Permit for emergency generators with engines 50 brake horsepower (bhp) or greater. Annual Fees are charged for each unit. |
| Fire Extinguishers (Portable) | Cal/OSHA Title 8 §6151. Portable Fire Extinguishers. requires monthly, annual, 6-year and 12-year inspections and/or testing. Locations must be mapped the Facilities Metabim building database. |
|
Fire Suppression Systems (except automatic sprinkler systems)
|
Cal/OSHA Title 8 §6175. Fixed Extinguishing Systems requires such system to meet performance, testing, and design criteria. State fire codes have additional requirements. Automatic sprinkler systems must be approved by the fire code “local agency having jurisdiction”. |
| Ionizing Radiation Emitting Devices i.e., X-ray machines, electron microscopes | Equipment and devices that produce x-rays, must be listed on an inventory and registered with the CA Radiologic Health Branch. A fee is charged for each unit. Documented training and posted safety procedures are required. |
| Lasers & Laser Systems (Class 3B or 4) or other Non-Ionizing Radiation Emitting Devices (i.e., UV systems) | Cal/OSHA Title 8 §8416. Lasers. §1801. Nonionizing Radiation. and ANSI Z136.1 Safe Use of Lasers requires user training and safe operating protocols |
Chemicals or Materials Requiring EH&S Approval to Purchase
| Hazardous Materials/Chemicals | Reason for Purchase Restriction |
| Biological Materials -- Biohazards Risk Level 2 or above (requiring BSL-2 or above microbiological practices) | The use or presence of infectious or potentially infectious materials requires an approved Biohazard Use Authorization (BUA), training, and work area restrictions. |
| Biological Materials -- Genetically Modified Organisms (Recombinant/Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules) | Requires an approved Biohazard Use Authorization (BUA), training, and work area restrictions even if the organisms themselves are Risk Level 1. |
| Biological Materials -- Human Blood, Blood Products, or Unfixed Human Tissue | Cal/OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Prevention Program requires universal precautions, training, exposure control plan, and offering the Hepatitis B vaccine. University IRB (Institutional Research Board) approval required. |
| Carcinogens – Cal/OSHA Regulated | Cal/OSHA regulations 8 CCR 5198-5220 have specific requirements for these materials including: SOPs, training, signage for designated work areas, carcinogen use notification to Cal/OSHA, air exposure monitoring. View carcinogens list on approval request form. |
| Chemicals – Diethyl ether > 2-liter container | Containers greater than 2 liters require approval due to the fire, storage and handling hazards. Fire code limits the overall quantity and location. |
| Chemicals - Hydrofluoric Acid and other hydrogen fluoride compounds | HF poses a very serious health hazard upon contact with skin, as well as being corrosive. Additional precautions are required to use it and alternatives are recommended when possible. |
|
Chemicals – Methylene chloride Also known as dichloromethane (DCM) |
In addition to being a carcinogen, new regulations are in place prohibiting most uses of this chemical. Purchase must be justified |
| Controlled Substances (Drugs) | USDEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) requires users to have a DEA license or work under someone with the license. Requirements include strict tracking, locked storage, inspections. and compliance with additional state regulations. |
|
Gases, Highly Toxic or Dangerous
|
Highly toxic, exposure monitoring, gas leak or release monitoring and alarm systems. View list of gases on the approval request form. |
| Herbicides, Pesticides, Insecticides, Rodenticides, etc. | Personal and public exposure concerns require prior approval by EH&S |
| Radioactive isotopes, including Uranyl acetate | Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and State Radiologic Health Branch (RHB) License requirements require strict tracking controls, RSO approval, training, exposure monitoring, etc. |
To view PDF files, you may download Adobe Reader.
To view Word, Excel & PowerPoint files, you may download LibreOffice.