Chemical Management Key Topics: Chemical Inventories
On this page:
- Every workplace must have a chemical inventory
- Chemical inventories by workplace type
- Chemical inventory management using ChemWatch
- Chemical inventory management outside ChemWatch
- More information
Every workplace must have a chemical inventory
Several Victorian statutes require that all chemicals in a workplace must be tracked in a chemical inventory. A chemical inventory may be needed if emergency services enter your building, and can assist you in chemical stock management.
A chemical inventory must have certain characteristics, which are detailed in 1.5 Chemical Inventory in the Chemical Management Guidelines [.pdf]. You will be in compliance with these requirements if you use ChemWatch to manage your inventory as detailed below at Chemical inventory management using ChemWatch, or if you use the inventory templates available below at Chemical inventory management outside ChemWatch.
Chemical inventories by workplace type
Offices
Offices here means any environment intended for administrative-type work, which includes libraries.
All chemicals purchased via the University's contracted Stationery supplier, Lyreco [University network login required] appear in a generic office chemical inventory in the University's central chemical management database, ChemWatch. However, access to chemical inventories in ChemWatch is restricted to ChemWatch administrators, and most office-type workplaces at the University do not have a ChemWatch administrator due to lack of operational need.
Therefore, offices should use the Example of an Office Chemical Inventory template to produce a chemical inventory, noting the need to add any chemicals you purchase through suppliers other than Lyreco:
Workshops
Some University workshops use ChemWatch to manage their chemical inventories (refer to Chemical Inventory Management using ChemWatch), and others use one of a variety of other systems.
Workshops not using ChemWatch must make sure that their chemical inventories comply with the requirements laid out in section 1.5 Chemical Inventory in the Chemical Management Guidelines [.pdf]. An example of a compliant non-ChemWatch workshop chemical inventory is below:
This example relates to a trade or mechanical type workshop. Other workshop types at the University include farms, sheds, grounds, theatres and commercial kitchens, which will have different chemical stocks.
Laboratories
Most University laboratories use ChemWatch to manage their chemical inventories (refer to Chemical Inventory Management using ChemWatch), but some use other systems, or supplement ChemWatch with other systems.
Laboratories not using ChemWatch must make sure that their chemical inventories comply with the requirements laid out in section 1.5 Chemical Inventory in the Chemical Management Guidelines [.pdf]. An example of a compliant non-ChemWatch laboratory chemical inventory is below:
Chemical inventory management using ChemWatch
ChemWatch is a MSDS and chemical inventory management database system which is the University's preferred method for managing chemical inventories. Many University laboratories and workshops use ChemWatch for their inventories.
For information about how your area uses ChemWatch, consult your laboratory manager, EHS Coordinator or supervisor.
Accessing current chemical inventories (manifests) in ChemWatch
Access to chemical inventories (which ChemWatch calls manifests) requires ChemWatch Administrator access. ChemWatch Administrator access has been granted to nominated staff in all areas using ChemWatch for their inventories. However, to be added as a further ChemWatch Administrator for your area, please contact the EHS Unit to request access and undertake the required ChemWatch administrator training.
Help with using ChemWatch is available in the ChemGold II workbook, accessible from within ChemWatch (refer to help with finding the ChemGold II workbook). You can also contact your EHS Adviser or Manager for further assistance.
Adding new chemical inventories (manifests) to ChemWatch
To add new chemical inventories (which ChemWatch calls manifests) to ChemWatch, please:
- Prepare your inventories using the Inventory Setup templates on the ChemWatch page;
- Provide them to the EHS Unit for relaying to ChemWatch.
Note: do not use the ChemWatch inventory templates to prepare chemical inventories intended to be kept outside ChemWatch. The ChemWatch template is missing certain required fields because once in ChemWatch, these will be auto-completed.
Chemical Inventories maintained outside ChemWatch
Areas not using ChemWatch must make sure that their chemical inventories comply with the requirements laid out in section 1.5 Chemical Inventory in the Chemical Management Guidelines [.pdf].
Template for a chemical inventory outside ChemWatch
The template below can be used to ensure compliance:
- Chemical Inventory Template [.xls]
Examples of completed chemical inventories by workplace type
Example completed inventories are available for three broad categories of workplace:
- Example of an Office Chemical Inventory [.xls]
- Example of a WorkShop Chemical Inventory [.xls]
- Example of a Laboratory Chemical Inventory [.xls]
If you base your own inventory on one of these examples, you must customise the contents and the document control in the footer to reflect your own workplace's situation.
More Information
- Further detailed information is available in section 1.5 Chemical Inventory, in the Chemical Management Guidelines [.pdf].
- For advice and assistance, please contact your EHS Adviser or Manager in the EHS Unit.
- For information about your area's current chemical inventory system, consult your laboratory manager, EHS Coordinator or supervisor.