MyChem is an online chemical inventory system that stores the identity, location, amount, and hazard information (Material Safety Data Sheets, or MSDSs) for all chemicals at the University of Washington.
UW faculty and supervisors who store hazardous chemicals are required to have and maintain a MyChem inventory in order to maintain a safe workplace and comply with various federal, state, and local regulations such as Fire Safety Codes. You can also print your inventory for your own use.
You must have a UWNetID to access MyChem.
To connect directly to MyChem, click the icon below:
Obtaining a new MyChem account
You must have a MyChem account to access your inventory. If you do not already have an account, apply now for a MyChem account.
Use the MyChem Inventory Instructions to conduct a chemical inventory in your laboratory before you enter it into MyChem.
MyChem is easy to use, but a monthly training course is available and can be helpful prior to inventory entry work. Register now for the next available class.
You do not need a MyChem account to access MSDSs. You only need a UW NetID.
Emergency Contacts
EH&S produces an annual hazard summary and site contact report, including emergency contact names and home phone numbers, for each chemical storage location reported in MyChem. This information is provided to the University of Washington Police Department and the Seattle Fire Department for use during emergencies. Please make sure that contact information for each of your inventory locations is correct. Contact EH&S MyChem support staff at 206.543.0467 or mychem@u.washington.edu to update the contact information for your inventory location as necessary.
Updating your MyChem inventory
You must update your online inventory at least annually and whenever there are significant changes in your inventory such as a clean out, major new projects, or relocation.
Printing your inventory
To print your inventory, do the following:
- Select My Inventory from the left navigation bar.
- Select the desired inventory location from the list of your locations, if you have inventories at more than one location.
- Select the Print Inventory Report button at the top of your inventory listing.
- On the new page, select the preferred content and sort order.
- Select the print button in Adobe Acrobat.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)
All supervisors must provide access to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for their employees. MyChem stores over 400,000 MSDSs and allows you to link each of your inventoried chemicals to a relevant online MSDS. You do not need a MyChem account to view and print MSDSs.
MSDS requirements:
- Employees have the right to ready access to MSDSs for the chemicals they use in their workplaces. UW staff should keep paper copies of MSDSs if direct and ready access to computers is not available or the lack of ability to use a computer is a barrier to ready access.
- If you receive an MSDS that is not yet in MyChem, make a copy of it, send the original to "EH&S MSDS Coordinator, Box 354400", and keep a copy of the MSDS in a readily accessible area in your inventory location.
Chemical Exchange
The MyChem Chemical Exchange allows you to quickly search for surplus chemicals and advertise your own usable surplus chemicals online. This can save you money and reduces hazardous waste. In fact, one study found that unwanted chemicals account for up to 40% of all hazardous waste at universities.
Chemical Exchange requirements:
- The chemical owner should make sure that the recipient is a University employee who has a reasonable use for the chemical.
- The chemical owner should remove the chemical from their inventory.
- The surplus chemical receiver should add the chemical to their inventory.
- If the chemical must be transported on public roads, please contact EPO at 206.685.2849 for packaging assistance.
- Cyanide and arsenic compounds are restricted for exchange. Please contact call 206.543.0467 for details.
- Radioactive material, DEA controlled substances and biohazardous material are all prohibited from exchange.
Click here for more information about the Chemical Exchange.
Useful Reports
The Control Zone Summary Report is a compilation of the quantity of chemicals with certain hazards in a Fire Control Zone. Your inventory location(s) belong to a Fire Control Zone and are summed together with other inventories within that Fire Control Zone. Use this report to determine if the quantity of chemicals in certain hazard classes are above the allowable limit for your Fire Control Zone. Report any problems to the EH&S Building and Fire Safety Office at 206.543.0465.
The Room Summary Report is similar to the Control Zone Summary Report but summarizes the hazard "load" of each room within the selected Fire Control Zone. Use this report to determine which specific room(s) in your Fire Control Zone are approaching or exceeding their hazard "load" allowance.
Contact us
For more questions about MyChem, call 206.543.0467 or email mychem@u.washington.edu. We are here to help you!
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