Policy Regarding The Procurement Of Hazardous Chemicals, Lasers, Radioactive Materials, And Lab Equipment By Student Clubs

The purpose of this policy is to inform student clubs that the procurement of hazardous chemicals, lasers, radioactive materials, and laboratory equipment (herein collectively referred to as hazardous materials) must be approved by the Director of Chemical and Laboratory Safety beforehand.

Scope

This policy pertains to all members of all student clubs at Amherst College, as well as any visitors or associates
invited to Amherst College by student clubs. The policy pertains to all hazardous materials procured by student
clubs regardless of whether they are brought to campus, and regardless of the source of funding. Some examples
of hazardous materials are listed in the appendix section at the end of this document.

Definitions

  • Procurement: obtaining by any means, including borrowing or as gift

  • Hazardous Chemicals: all materials that are regulated as “hazardous” by a Federal, State, or Local agency

  • Lasers: all devices/equipment that contain a laser, as defined by ANSI Z136, except for commercial laser pointers that contain a Class II or IIIa laser.

  • Radioactive Materials: all solid, liquid, or gas that emits ionizing radiation, as defined by 105 CMR 120.0

  • Laboratory Equipment: Any equipment that is generally used to perform scientific research.

Policy

Before procuring hazardous materials, student clubs at Amherst College shall seek approval in writing, by the
Director of Chemical and Laboratory Safety or the Department of Environmental Health and Safety.

If such materials were procured before the development of this policy, they shall be declared before further use or
disposal. Hazardous materials that were not approved or declared may be confiscated.

Not all hazardous material procurement requests will be approved. If approved, clubs will be informed of all safety and compliance requirements.

Failure to follow safety and compliance requirements may result in confiscation of the hazardous material and will
affect the ability for the club to be approved for other such future procurements.

The shipping of any hazardous materials from Amherst College shall only be done by the Director of Chemical and
Laboratory Safety. Transportation of/with hazardous materials from Amherst College is prohibited. Note that the disposal of certain items that are not governed under this policy still need to be disposed of Universal Waste, including batteries, battery-containing equipment, bulbs, electronics.

Examples of Hazardous Materials

Bleach, paint, dyes, inks, aerosols, 3D printers, engravers, telescopes, gas cylinders, lab chemicals, spectrometry equipment, diesel or gasoline (except when used for vehicles), pesticides, animals (dead or alive), film development chemicals, mercury devices (including thermometers), pepper spray, engine oil/ hydraulic oil, vacuum pumps, glycol, personal protective equipment (except medical masks), dry ice.

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