The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research
Standard Operating Procedure
TITLE: Procuring Chemicals and Substances
RESPONSIBILITY: Employees, medical staff, volunteers, students, and other persons performing work
for or at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research.
PURPOSE: To provide instructions on procedures to be followed when ordering high hazard chemicals
and substances.
Prior to placing an order for chemicals or substances:
 Obtain/Review the chemical safety data sheet
 Identify the chemical safety rating (i.e., NFPA or GHS)

NFPA 1 & 2 or GHS 4 & 3:
o

PI or designee shall conduct a Hazard Risk Assessment and define project scope
NFPA 3 or GHS 2:
o
PI or designee shall conduct a Hazard Risk Assessment and define project scope
o
PI or designee will create a specific SOP for this chemical/substance use
 NFPA 4 or GHS 1: (considered “High Hazards”).
“High Hazards” for this purpose is defined as chemicals with NFPA Hazard rating of
4 or GHS labeling of 1 such as Picric Acid, peroxide forming chemicals, bulk orders
of chemicals, chemicals listed by U.S. Department of Homeland Security as
“Chemicals of Interest”, and CDC “Select Agents or Toxin”.
For a list of Homeland Security “Chemical of Interest & CDC “Select Agents or Toxins”:
http://www.nacua.org/documents/DHSChemicalsOfInterest.pdf
http://www.selectagents.gov/SelectAgentsandToxinsList.html
o PI shall conduct a Hazard Risk Assessment and define project scope
o PI will create a specific SOP for this chemical/substance
o PI will forward a copy of the SOP to the Safety Office for review and
approval. Once approved by the Safety Office follow the procedure for
ordering NFPA 4 or GHS 1 rated chemicals/substances.
 Ensure appropriate control methods are available (i.e., working hoods, PPE(s), etc.)
PROCEDURE:
For NFPA 1, 2, & 3 or GHS 4, 3, & 2 rated chemicals/substances:
a)
Place order in the usual manner through PeopleSoft or Fisher on-line.
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Procuring Chemicals/Substances
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For NFPA 4 or GHS 1 rated chemicals/substances being ordered through PeopleSoft:
NOTE: If planning to order NFPA 4 or GHS 1 rated chemicals/substances
through other means, contact the Safety Office first.
Select “Create Requisition” and populate the field in the usual manner and continue.
Select the “SPECIAL REQUEST” tab
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Answer “NO” to this question:
Select “GOOD”:
Click on “NEXT” button
Click on “YES”
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Here you will populate this form and for “CATEGORY”: Click on the magnifying glass and select
“HIGH_HAZARDS”
 Proceed to complete the requisition in the usual manner.
 Notify the Safety Office upon receipt of the order.
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Procuring Chemicals/Substances
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