Jim - This is a battle I have fought, and it is really a tough one. One would think that common sense would win out over entitlement of faculty to pilfer at will, but alas that has not generally been my experience. Heaven forbid that someone plans ahead and does not need to get into the stockroom after hours.

Are all your faculty background checked?
Is the non-denatured ethanol double locked? (this is regulated)
Are the acutely toxic chemicals secure? Is someone going to take something to do harm to themselves or others?
Is there a re-shelving procedure? Unlike re-shelving a book, chemicals might just surprise you if re-shelved incorrectly.
What if someone leaves the door unsecured?
What is the plan when a teaching lab does not have a reagent because the a faculty member took it for their research or contaminated it?
Are you willing to pay for unlabeled hazardous waste left in the stockroom.
Most importantly, if the faculty all have key access, it won't be long before they give the keys to a student for them to "go get something".

When I renovated our stockroom, I put chain link cages around the majority of the chemicals. As a compromise, only faculty with research labs could access by card reader, but they could not get to the chemicals in the locked cages.

If I sound cynical, I am.å This is the worst idea ever....arghhhh.
Sammye

Here's a question that I received and would like the feedback and suggestions of the listserv.å Thanks ... Jimå

I am the lab/stockroom manager for Chemistry and have maintained a secure stockroom now for the past 10 years. We have a new department chair and he wants to give access to all permanent, visiting, and adjunct faculty. I feel that this is a mistake but have to give evidence to support my reluctance of open access. Is there any regulations that I can quote about securing the stockroom? I know at one time Homeland Security sent an e-mail to our CPO and other CFOs about securing these areas. Any assistance you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

PS.å LSI now has virtual lab inspections, safety program evaluations, document reviews, plus courses and seminars ... all virtual.å å And, a complimentary,å updated version of our classic Laboratory Safety Guidelines is now availableå on our website ...å https://www.labsafety.org/product/lab-safety-rules

å

James A. Kaufman, PhD

Founder/President Emeritus

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The Laboratory Safety Institute (LSI)

A Non-profit Educational Organization

å forå Safety in Science, Industry, and Education

192 Worcester Street, Natick, MA 01760-2252

(O) 508-647-1900å å (F) 508-647-0062å å (C) 508-574-6264å å

Skype: labsafe; 508-401-7406å jkaufman**At_Symbol_Here**labsafety.orgå å www.labsafety.orgå

Teach, Learn, and Practice Science Safely

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