Business and Administration

General Information

Auburn University has a comprehensive Chemical Safety Program designed to ensure the safe use, storage, and disposal of hazardous chemicals across campus. Particularly those in research and teaching laboratories.

Risk Management and Safety conducts physical inventory audits to ensure compliance.

Labs are responsible for correcting any discrepancies, such as unbarcoded containers.

Auburn University uses ChemTracker for chemical inventory tracking. This guide is intended to help users navigate commonly used features of the system. ChemTracker replaces the previously used Chematix system and is linked directly into BioRaft/SciSure.

If you have any questions, please email cheminv@auburn.edu

Adding Chemical Inventory

1. Click “ChemTracker”
   • In BioRAFT (auburn.bioraft.com) , Click the ChemTracker tab
   • The ChemTracker tab can be found in your lab group
2. Click “Add Inventory”
3. Enter the Chemical Information
   • Enter the chemical name, CAS number, or product name for the specific chemical container being added using the chemical lookup field
   • If you cannot find the chemical in the dropdown, select “None of the Above” to enter the unlinked chemical (such as a chemical outside of the database)
   • Another menu will pop up asking you to confirm “None of the Above” or select a chemical in the database
4. Select Location
   • From the “Location (Space)” dropdown, select the space where the container will be stored
   • If the space you are looking for is not listed, please contact RMS at cheminv@auburn.edu to have your group added to the space
5. Enter Barcode
   • Enter the barcode number for the AU chemical inventory barcode to be affixed to the container in the “Unique Container ID” field
   • If you need additional barcodes, contact cheminv@auburn.edu to have your group added
   • If your barcode number begins with the # symbol, please enter AUC instead of the # symbol and proceed with the alpha-numeric sequence (for example, the barcode #1234A should be entered as AUC1234A)
6. Set “Container Status”
   • NORMAL: Allows this chemical to be seen by other labs within the same building as you
   • SURPLUS: Indicates to others that this chemical is surplus in your lab
   • HIDDEN: Prevents others within your building from being able to view this chemical

SPECIAL NOTE: Do not change the container count to any except one (1). If you need to add multiple chemicals, you may use the bulk import feature

If the chemical you are adding is a peroxide-forming chemical, please see additional instructions below for entering an appropriate expiration date. A list of peroxide-formers may be found there as well.

Adding Chemical Inventory (Bulk)

1. Click “ChemTracker”
   • In BioRAFT (auburn.bioraft.com) , Click the ChemTracker tab
   • The ChemTracker tab can be found in your lab group
2. Near the top of the page, click ‘Import.’
3. Select ‘Download a Template.’
4. Fill in the requested information on the template.
   • Columns A – H are required, and the remaining columns are optional (please remember to add an expiration date in Column N for all peroxide-formers).
   • If your chemical does not have a CAS number, you may leave that field blank.
   • For further explanation of each field, please see ‘Adding Chemical Inventory – Single Chemical.’
   • You may add up to 10,000 chemicals.
   • Save your file.
5. Return to ChemTracker and select ‘Choose a File.’ Select your saved, completed template.
   • ChemTracker will ask you to select your header row. When you have done so, you may click ‘Confirm selection and continue.’
   • ChemTracker will then notify you of any errors in your spreadsheet. You may type directly into this field to correct any errors or correct your spreadsheet and upload again.
   • If you click ‘Finish’ with errors remaining in red, ChemTracker will add all of your chemicals that are not affected by these errors. Those affected by errors will not be added.
6. When you have no errors showing, click ‘Finish’.
   • The system will notify you when your chemicals have been uploaded.
   • Please allow at least 10 minutes for the system to bulk import your chemicals.

PLEASE NOTE:

• If your barcode number begins with the # symbol, please enter AUC instead of the # symbol and proceed with the alpha-numeric sequence (for example, the barcode #1234A should be entered as AUC1234A)

Using the Chemical Lookup Field

1. Click “ChemTracker”
   • In BioRAFT (auburn.bioraft.com) , Click the ChemTracker tab
   • The ChemTracker tab can be found in your lab group
2. Click “Add Inventory”
3. Search for the Chemical
   • Within the “chemical” field, search for the chemical of interest by name
   • You may also search by CAS number by selecting the CAS number at the header at the top of the page
   • If you cannot find the chemical in the dropdown, select “None of the Above” to enter an unlinked chemical
   • Unlinked chemicals are not connected to the central ChemTracker chemical database
4. Select Chemical
   • Select the chemical that you are adding from the list of results

Removing a Chemical from Inventory

1. Click “ChemTracker”
   • In BioRAFT (auburn.bioraft.com) , Click the ChemTracker tab
   • The ChemTracker tab can be found in your lab group
2. Search for the Chemical
   • Within the “chemical” field, search for the chemical of interest by name
   • You may also search by CAS number by selecting the CAS number at the header at the top of the page
   • You may also scroll through the list of your inventory to find the chemical
3. Click “Remove”
   • Use the slider bar at the bottom of the list to scroll to the right until you see a button entitled “REMOVE”
4. Confirm Removal
   • A pop-up will appear asking if you are sure you want to delete this container
   • To remove the container, click “REMOVE”
   • To go back, click “CANCEL”
   • Once “REMOVE” is clicked, the chemical has been successfully removed from your inventory

If you have questions about scheduling a waste pickup for your container, please see the Campus Optics page from Environmental Health & Safety.

Bulk Editing or Removing Chemicals

1. Click “ChemTracker”
   • In BioRAFT (auburn.bioraft.com) , Click the ChemTracker tab
   • The ChemTracker tab can be found in your lab group
2. Click “BULK EDIT”
3. Search for Chemicals
   • Within the “chemical” field, search for the chemical of interest by name
   • You may also search by CAS number by selecting the CAS number at the header at the top of the page
   • You may also scroll through the list of your inventory to find the chemical
4. Select Multiple Chemicals
   • Select the chemicals you would like to edit using the checkboxes to the left of the chemicals
5. Click “EDIT SELECTED CONTAINERS”
6. Edit Containers
   • You may change the location, owner, amount, etc. of each chemical
7. Apply Changes
   • When you have finished making your desired changes, scroll to the bottom and click “APPLY CHANGES”
   • If you would like to delete the chemicals from the inventory, click “REMOVE ALL SELECTED”
8. Confirm Changes
   • Click “CONFIRM” to proceed or “CANCEL” to return to the bulk edit menu
   • Once confirmed, the desired changes will be reflected in your inventory

If you have questions about scheduling a waste pickup for your container, please see the Campus Optics page from Environmental Health & Safety.

Transferring a Chemical to a New Location

1. Click “ChemTracker”
   • In BioRAFT (auburn.bioraft.com) , Click the ChemTracker tab
   • The ChemTracker tab can be found in your lab group
2. Search for Chemicals
   • Within the “chemical” field, search for the chemical of interest by name
   • You may also search by CAS number by selecting the CAS number at the header at the top of the page
   • You may also scroll through the list of your inventory to find the chemical
3. Click “EDIT”
   • Use the slider bar at the bottom of the list to scroll to the right until you see a button entitled “EDIT”
4. Transfer Chemical
   • To transfer the chemical to a new space, use the dropdown menu to select the correct room within your lab group
   • If you need to transfer a chemical to a room that is not associated with your group, please contact Risk Management and Safety for assistance at cheminv@auburn.edu
5. Click “UPDATE”
   • Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “UPDATE”

Finding and Assigning a Safety Data Sheet

1. Click “ChemTracker”
   • In BioRAFT (auburn.bioraft.com) , Click the ChemTracker tab
   • The ChemTracker tab can be found in your lab group
2. Search for Chemicals
   • Within the “chemical” field, search for the chemical of interest by name
   • You may also search by CAS number by selecting the CAS number at the header at the top of the page
   • You may also scroll through the list of your inventory to find the chemical
3. Click “VIEW SDS”
   • Use the slider bar until you see the “VIEW SDS” column
   • To view the SDS for a chemical, click “VIEW” under this column next to the chemical name
4. Add Safety Data Sheet
   • To assign a different SDS to this chemical, click “ADD SDS” next to the chemical
   • Select the SDS of your choice from the database, or scroll to the bottom to upload your own or assign a webpage link as an SDS
   • If you need to transfer a chemical to a room that is not associated with your group, please contact Risk Management and Safety for assistance at cheminv@auburn.edu
5. Attach Safety Data Sheet
   • After selecting or adding the SDS of your choice, click “Attach SDS” at the bottom of the page
6. Click “EXIT” to finish
   • The SDS is now attached to this chemical
   • If you would like to assign this SDS to similar chemicals in your lab, you may select them in this window and click “BULK ASSIGN”
   • Otherwise, click “EXIT” to finish

Bulk SDS assignments to numerous chemical containers may take the system up to 10 minutes to reflect your changes. You may also need to refresh the page to see the updated SDS, even if only one chemical’s SDS is added or updated.

Unlinked chemicals will not have an SDS assigned to them by the system. Until one is added, there will not be an SDS to view. If you would like to add an SDS for an unlinked chemical, you may do so following the same procedure outlined above.

Finding Other Chemicals

1. Click “ChemTracker”
   • In BioRAFT (auburn.bioraft.com) , Click the ChemTracker tab
   • The ChemTracker tab can be found in your lab group
2. Click “Find Other Chemicals” Tab
   • The “Find Other Chemicals” Tab is located at the top of the page
   • From here, you can filter your search results by chemical name, CAS number, or any of the other listed filters
   • You will only be able to see chemicals from the other labs within the same lab group

Management of Time-Sensitive Chemicals

• Peroxide formers should be managed according to established standard operating guidelines for these materials
• Category A peroxide formers (form explosive levels or peroxide without concentration) should have a 3-month expiration date when entering these chemicals in the ChemTracker inventory management system
• Category B peroxide formers (present hazards upon concentration e.g. distillation or evaporation) and Category C peroxide formers (Chemicals may auto-polymerize as a result of peroxide accumulation) should have a 12-month expiration date when entering these chemicals in the ChemTracker inventory management system
• Risk Management and Safety will perform quarterly inventory checks for peroxide formers and collaborate with researchers to manage expired peroxide-forming materials in accordance with the established procedures below
  • Peroxide Levels <50 ppm: considered safe for general use, but need to be retested annually
  • Peroxide Levels 50-100 ppm: NOT recommended for distilling or concentration; must be retested annually
  • Peroxide Levels >100 ppm: Contact RMS at cheminv@auburn.edu for guidance on management as hazardous waste

A list of peroxide-forming materials can be found here.

Bulk SDS assignments to numerous chemical containers may take the system up to 10 minutes to reflect your changes. You may also need to refresh the page to see the updated SDS, even if only one chemical’s SDS is added or updated.

Unlinked chemicals will not have an SDS assigned to them by the system. Until one is added, there will not be an SDS to view. If you would like to add an SDS for an unlinked chemical, you may do so following the same procedure outlined above.