Hi Rachel,
I have been involved with the UNHCEMS system since its inception, and my team and I use it daily and it works great for us. The date acquired field for inventory can be specified (as any date) at the time of data entry or later, as part of QA/QC process, so
this shouldn't be a major concern when collecting initial inventory data. For new inventory, our process has been to use barcode numbers where the first four digits represent the year of acquisition - this makes age assessment in the field quite convenient
over the long term, but of course wouldn't benefit you until your initial inventory was captured.
Refrigerators used to store flammable solvents in laboratories should be flammable storage refrigerators. These have no sources of ignition within the refrigerator. Explosion proof refrigerators have this interior protection but also are intrinsically safe
and can be in locations where the whole room has ignition proof wiring which is quite rare - like a dispensing or mixing room with flammable vapors present.
Acrylic nails - this is a new one on me, but I wonder how readily someone with these nails could wear protective gloves. If gloves are required PPE, then clear communication of expectations with students prior to labs is essential.
Good luck,
Andy
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> on behalf of Rachel A Kaiser <0000244c46d98b14-dmarc-request**At_Symbol_Here**LISTS.PRINCETON.EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 6:16 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Seeking Chemical Management Advice
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Hello,
I recently became the Chemical Hygiene Officer at Wittenberg University and I am hoping you can help me with a couple of questions:
Inventory Systems
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I am looking for chemical inventory system recommendations that are cost effective and user friendly. I have gotten quotes from UNHCEMS, VelocityEHS, EHSInsight, EcoOnline, CampusOptics, and ChemicalSafety.
I have also tried the free system ChemInventory, but I could not figure out how to add synonyms for the chemicals and I didn't love that the system defaults the date the chemical is added as the date acquired. Please let me know if there is a way to get around
either of those issues. Additionally, I would love to know if you have any of these chemical management software and your opinions on them or if you have other system recommendations?
Explosion vs Flammable Fridge/freezers
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I understand that the difference between Flammable Fridges/Freezers and Explosion-proof Fridges/Freezers is that the explosion proof have spark-proof interiors
and exteriors rather than just spark-proof interiors. We have an explosion proof fridge/freezer in our chemical stockroom that needs to be replaced. We have a flammable fridge that we could use as the replacement, but I want to make sure an explosion-proof
fridge is not necessary. Our stockroom has vented cabinets and a relatively small amount of volatile chemicals, but I was hoping to get more experienced opinions on this!
Student Lab Safety
I really appreciate any and all advice,
Rachel Kaiser ’22 (she/her/hers)
Chemistry Lab Coordinator | Chemical Hygiene Officer
Wittenberg University
(937)327-6442
