Central Scientific Stores and Laboratory Support Services

CSSLSS is a subsidiary operation of the chemistry department. It provides value-added services to the entire John Carroll University community, especially the sciences.

Our Mission

Central Scientific Stores and Laboratory Support Services advances the scientific endeavors of the University through leadership and expertise in supply-chain management of scientific materials sourced throughout the world.

Hours of Operation:

Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.–noon; 1-5 p.m.
Saturday/Sunday: Closed

Summer and break hours are subject to change. Feel free to call ahead: 216.397.4244.

Health and Safety in the Chemistry Department

Policies

Chemistry Department Laboratory Safety Policy (pdf)

Chemical Hygiene Plan (pdf)

The stockroom is open Monday through Friday, 8 am – 12 pm and 1 pm – 5 pm during University academic sessions. Graduate and undergraduate teaching assistants are allowed limited access to the stockroom during normal business hours for the purpose of preparing for labs. Do not ask to prep outside of the hours posted above. This is a safety issue. The stockroom is a restricted access area; undergraduate students who are not authorized entry by the Chairman may not enter.

Please indicate if you take the last container of an item so that I may reorder it promptly. Please do not re-shelve bottles.

When chemicals are returned, they may be placed on the prep table or cart. This allows me to check for low quantities, broken or deteriorated containers, expiration dates, etc.

When preparing for labs, you will often find the chemicals you need on the side bench of the instructional lab. Check there first – Save yourself time! Solvents and solutions dispensed into stock bottles should be labeled plainly with all pertinent safety data filled in. Also, list concentration and ingredients as necessary. Each label should include the date prepared and your name. This enables us to identify waste products more easily at the end of term and enables you (and those who follow you) to determine exactly what’s in the bottle. Two reagent labels are available from the stockroom for hazardous materials.

Waste containers should be prepared for specific types of waste streams and placed on the side bench for easy access by students. Please direct your students’ attention to their location and monitor the levels in these containers. Do not fill them all the way to the top! Some expansion is normal when the containers are put into storage. When full, these containers should be brought to the stockroom and placed on the cart near the door. Replacements are available from the lower shelf near the door. Be sure to read the policies and regulations which follow concerning the labeling of hazardous waste.

The complete labeling of waste bottles and all bottles containing hazardous chemicals is standard operating procedure in this department. It is spelled out clearly in the Chemical Hygiene Plan (1.2.ix) that waste containers will be labeled clearly with a description that identifies the chemical(s). Environmental Protection Agency of the Federal government and Ohio EPA require this practice as well. The Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR 262.34) governing the handling of hazardous substances states:

[The generator] marks his containers either with the words “Hazardous Waste” or with other words that identify the contents of the container. 40 CFR 262.34(c)(1)(ii)
The generator must mark the container holding the excess accumulation of hazardous waste with the date the excess amount began accumulating. 40 CFR 262.34(c)(2)
The generator must ensure that all employees are thoroughly familiar with proper waste handling and emergency procedures, relevant to the responsibilities during normal facility operations and emergencies. 40 CFR 262.34(d)(5)(iii)

Furthermore, not all people who come in contact with containers of chemicals in our facility are professional chemists. For example, emergency personnel (firemen, paramedics) and maintenance personnel, work-study students and other students cannot be expected to be able to interpret chemical formulae at a glance. Therefore it is important that the full name of all ingredients be noted on the label. Abbreviations, ionic notation, or symbols are not acceptable.

This applies equally to stock bottles. The contents should be identified clearly on the label by full name. The name of the preparer and the date prepared are also necessary. Other safety information is included as necessary to ensure that the end-user (the student) is fully aware of any hazards associated with that chemical’s use. At a minimum, warnings should include whether the material should be used in the hood, if it is a suspected carcinogen, a lachrymator, strongly caustic or corrosive, readily absorbed into the skin or mucus membranes, if it is air or light sensitive, or reactive in water or air, etc. Every year we spend thousands of dollars on waste disposal, a significant portion of which is spent to identify unknown or insufficiently identified waste. If we can decrease this budgetary allocation, that money can be used for things more useful to everyone. We do this to protect ourselves and others from physical harm. We do this to remain in compliance with OSHA and EPA laws. Most importantly, we do this because it is the right thing to do.

The complete labeling of waste bottles and all bottles containing hazardous chemicals is standard operating procedure in this department. It is spelled out clearly in the Chemical Hygiene Plan (1.2.ix) that waste containers will be labeled clearly… with a description that identifies the chemical(s). JCU’s standardized label is shown here. Pre-labeled containers are available from CSSLSS in three sizes.

This practice is also required of us by the Environmental Protection Agency of the Federal government and by Ohio EPA. The Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR 262.34) governing handling of hazardous substances stipulations these requirements:

[the generator] marks his containers either with the words “Hazardous Waste” or with other words that identify the contents of the container 40 CFR 262.34(c)(1)(ii)
The generator must mark the container holding the excess accumulation of hazardous waste with the date the excess amount began accumulating 40 CFR 262.34(c)(2)
The generator must ensure that all employees are thoroughly familiar with proper waste handling and emergency procedures, relevant to the responsibilities during normal facility operations and emergencies. 40 CFR 262.34(d)(5)(iii)

Furthermore, not all people who come in contact with containers of chemicals in our facility are professional chemists. For example, emergency personnel (firemen, paramedics) and maintenance personnel, work-study students and other students cannot be expected to be able to interpret chemical formulae at a glance. Therefore it is important that the full name of all ingredients be noted on the label. Abbreviations, ions, symbols are not acceptable.

This applies equally to stock bottles. The contents should be identified clearly on the label by full name. The name of the preparer and the date prepared are also very helpful. Other safety information is included as necessary to ensure that the end-user (the student) is fully aware of any hazards associated with that chemical’s use.

At a minimum, warnings should include whether the material should be used in the hood, if it is a suspected carcinogen, a lachrymator, strongly caustic or corrosive, readily absorbed into the skin or mucus membranes, if it is air or light sensitive, or reactive in water or air, etc.

We do this to protect ourselves and others from physical harm. We do this to remain in compliance with OSHA and EPA laws. Most importantly, we do this because it is the right thing to do.

If you have additional questions or concerns they may directed to the Chemical Hygiene Officer, Mr. Jeff Your.

Services

Central Scientific Stores and Laboratory Support Services is an ancillary enterprise of the Chemistry Department.

Faculty and researchers are encouraged to direct their purchases of chemicals, equipment and supplies through Central Scientific Stores to ensure the best price and availability. JCU enjoys special pricing and preferred vendor status with many distributors and manufacturers. Please consult with Mr. Jeff Your, C.S.M.M., for additional purchasing options. He can provide the level of service to your laboratory which you find most comfortable and convenient. Purchase requisitions can be placed with CSSLSS for rapid turnaround and just-in-time delivery. Along with these services, Mr. Your can help you expedite other administrative paperwork, such as maintenance and repair orders.

Manager of Central Scientific Stores

Contact Us

Jeff Your, M.B.A., C.S.M.M.
Dolan Room W310
216-397-4244

Send us an email