Chemical Safety

Ensuring the safe and compliant use of chemicals on campus.

Maximum Allowable Quantities (MAQ) Project

The California Fire Code establishes requirements for Maximum Allowable Quantities (MAQ) of hazardous materials, which ensures amounts used and stored within buildings do not pose fire and life risks. Following the management of hazardous chemicals guidelines issued by the University of California Office of President in 2023, EH&S is implementing the directives outlined in...

2025 Fall Semester Reminders for Labs

September 10, 2025
Office of Environment, Health, and Safety

The fall semester is under way, and Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) would like to help get you started on the right foot with some key lab safety reminders:

All labs

Update your lab’s roster in Labs @ Berkeley (L@B)

Add new lab members, delete old ones, and click on the “Click here if lab...

Drain Disposal Restrictions

Sanitary Sewer Disposal What Can Go Down the Drain?

Whatever goes down the drain ends up in the San Francisco Bay, so the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) strictly regulates sanitary sewer wastewater. Discharge of inappropriate materials into the sanitary sewer can damage sewer lines, interfere with the operation of the wastewater treatment plant, risk the safety of campus and EBMUD utility workers who maintain sewer lines, and cause harmful environmental impacts. It is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste down the drain.

Review the information below to...

Controlled Substances

bottle and pill icon Controlled Substances

UC Berkeley’s Controlled Substances (CS) program outlines required procedures pertaining to the procurement, use, storage, inventory, and disposal of controlled substances to comply with Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regulations. These procedures apply to all research and teaching activities using controlled substances.

Controlled...

Chemical Inventory

The Chemicals app tracks the storage and use of hazardous materials on all UC campuses. UC Berkeley is required to report that information, and these reports are compiled by EH&S. In addition, Chemicals assists emergency responders and provides all lab members with a tool with which to track hazardous items in their rooms. See the Chemicals User Guide below.

Accurate Chemical Inventory Maintenance...

Campus Laboratory Safety Policies

The University of California, Berkeley is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for the campus community. Faculty, students, and other personnel in laboratories and other academic settings may work with hazardous materials, equipment, and processes. With regard to safety and environmental protection, this teaching, and research work is governed by state and federal regulations and University policies.

New UC Systemwide Laboratory Safety Policies...

Chemical Inventory Spot Check Inspections

August 22, 2025
Office of Environment, Health, and Safety

The following message is meant for labs:

Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) will be performing audits of groups on campus with chemical inventories to check for chemical inventory accuracy. Maintaining chemical inventories to at least 90% accuracy is a prerequisite to UC Systemwide MAQ compliance

How can I prepare?...

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Labs

A standard operating procedure (SOP) is a set of instructions for performing experiments or processes that involve hazards (chemical, physical, biological, radiation). SOPs are lab-specific and include documentation of the people who have received training for that procedure.

New students and employees working in your lab should be provided with hands-on training for hazardous materials and operations that are covered by the SOPs for your lab.

SOPs by Hazard Type Chemicals & General Lab Safety

Written SOPs are required for all hazardous operations/activities. A library of...

Understanding Sharps Safety and Handling

June 25, 2025
What Are Sharps?

Sharps are any items with pointed edges or projections capable of cutting, puncturing, or piercing the skin. Common examples include:

Hypodermic needles

Syringes with attached needles or tubing

Razor blades, scalpels, and X-Acto® knives

Glass Pasteur pipettes

Broken glass items

Glass microscope slides and coverslips

Sharp instruments...

Self Closing Flammable Cabinets

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2025

California Fire Code (CFC) regulations establish the quantity and methods for flammable and combustible liquids storage in research and teaching laboratories.