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Reference material, webinar

ACS Webinar: How to Safely Manage Chemicals in Educational Settings

May 2023

Most professionals and educators understand the importance of safe chemical management in today’s world. Unfortunately, many undergraduate, graduate, and secondary education programs do not provide equal coverage of this critical competency.

Join Professor of Chemical Education Susan Wiediger of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Safety Education Consultant Samuella B. Sigmann as they discuss the fundamentals and best practices for chemical management, highlighting avenues for individuals to pursue more knowledge.

This ACS Webinar is moderated by Amanda Chung, Chemical Hygiene Officer at the University of North Texas and is co-produced with the ACS Division of Chemical Health & Safety and the Committee on Chemical Safety.

Presenters were Susan Wiediger, Professor, Chemical Education, Department of Chemistry, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Samuella B. Sigmann, Safety Education Consultant & Past Stockroom, Director, and Chemical Hygiene Officer, Appalachian State University (Retired).

What You Will Learn

  • How and why to organize chemicals based on hazard categories
  • Best practices for upkeep and maintenance of chemical storage areas
  • Essential information needed for inventory management including best labeling practices for secondary containers

Webinar Presentation

2023-05-18-chemical-management-chas1Download

The transcript of the Q&A following the presentation:

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Become a Member

Membership Benefits

Membership in the Division of Chemical Heath and Safety is a powerful tool for chemical health and safety professionals in industry, academia and government. Membership benefits include access to theDCHAS e-mail listserv. This diverse group is comprised of safety professionals (with a wide range of backgrounds and careers) who freely share their experiences, insight, and knowledge when members have questions and serve to mentor safety professionals to help ensure their success. You will also receive notice of papers to be presented and social events at National Meetings.

You can join the Division at the ACS web site at https://home.acs.org/forms/s/technical-divisions?sc=1234

To receive the ACS Journal of Chemical Health and Safety, you can receive it as a membership benefit by joining the ACS itself at the ACS membership website.
For more information, please contact Taysir Bader, Membership Chair at membership@dchas.org.
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About Us

DCHAS is a division of the American Chemical Society. We have about 1700 members and very active in partnering with other divisions and committees of the ACS, as well as sister organizations outside the ACS. We are also the parent division of the ACS Cannabis Subdivision.

Below is a powerpoint summary of the purpose of the Division and its activities. If you would like to share this in an oral presentation, we’ll be glad to share with you the powerpoint file for you to customize for this purpose. Contact membership@dchas.org for this file.

CHAS on the Road 2021-07-15Download

Vision Statement

Improving people’s lives through the power of best chemical health and safety practices

Mission Statement

The ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety provides authoritative technical resources and mentorship in chemical health and safety for all.

Administrative Information

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CHAS Leadership and Committees

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CHAS provides chemical safety professionals with professional development opportunities by working on Divisional activities. These opportunities enable members to stay up to date on emerging technical and cultural aspects of chemical safety while networking with peers nationally and globally. Many have found this work to an be important asset both for themselves and the stakeholders they work with. To get involved in the Division’s work, indicate your interest in specific opportunities in the form on this page.

Elected Officers

  • 2024 Chair: Robin Izzo, Princeton University
  • Chair Elect: Michael Koehler, Professional Analysis and Consulting, Inc.
  • Past Chair, Chair of Nominating Committee:   Daniel Kuespert, Johns Hopkins University (Participation by Dr. Kuespert does not constitute or imply endorsement by the Johns Hopkins University or the Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System)
  • Treasurer (term ending 2024): Mary Beth Koza, Univ of North Carolina (retired)
  • Secretary (term ending 2026): Monique Wilhelm, University of Michigan-Flint
  • Executive Committee Member‑at‑Large (term ending 2024): Shannon Nephew, SUNY Plattsburgh
  • Executive Committee Member-at-Large (term ending 2025): Kendra Denlinger, Xavier University
  • ACS Councilor (term ending 2025): Kali Aleyse Miller
  • ACS Councilor (term ending 2027): Frankie Wood-Black, Sophic Pursuits, Inc.
  • Alternate ACS Councilor (term ending 2025): Debbie Decker, Univ of California Davis  (retired)
  • Alternate ACS Councilor (term ending 2027): Brandon Chance Southern Methodist University

Committee Chairs

Liaisons

  • National Registry of Certified Chemists: Russ Phifer
  • Committee on Chemical Safety: Ken Fivizzani 
  • ACS Division of Chemistry and the Law: Neal Langerman 
  • American Industrial Hygiene Association: Bill Galdenzi
  • Division of Chemical Education: Dave Finster
  • Divison of Chemistry and the Law: Neal Langerman
  • Committee on International Affairs: Brandon Chase
  • American Intitute of Chemical Engineers: Jerry Jones

CANN Subdivision

  • Chair: Julia Bramante
  • Past Chair: Andrew Pham
  • Vice Chair: Kyle Boyar
  • Secretary: Melissa Wilcox
  • Treasurer: Mary Beth Koza
  • Awards Committee Chair: Michael Coffin
  • Programming Committee Chair: Amber Wise
  • Membership Committee Co-Chairs: Brandon Canfield and Nick Mulder
  • Development Committee Chair: Ezra Pryor
  • Senior Advisory Committee Chair: Harry Elston
  • Publication Committee Chair: Nigam Arora
  • Public Relations Committee Chair: Brittaney Dowd

Leadership History

YEAR    CHAIR    SECRETARY    TREASURER    COUNCILORS

2022 C. Incarvito M.B. Koza F. Wood-Black, D. Decker

2021 H. Elston M. Wilhelm    M.B. Koza    F. Wood-Black, D. Decker

2020 R. Izzo M. Wilhelm    M.B. Koza    F. Wood-Black, D. Decker

2019    S. Sigmann    M. Wilhelm    M.B. Koza    F. Wood-Black, D. Decker

2018    J. Pickel    M. Wilhelm    N. Langerman    F. Wood-Black, D. Decker

2017    H. Elston    R. Stuart    N. Langerman    F. Wood-Black, R. Hill

2016    J. Palmer    R. Stuart    N. Langerman    F. Wood-Black, R. Hill

2015    D. Decker    R. Stuart    N. Langerman    F. Wood-Black, R. Hill

2014    K. Fivizzani    R. Stuart    N. Langerman    F. Wood-Black, R. Hill

2013    D. Schmidt    R. Stuart    N. Langerman    F. Wood-Black, G. Wahl

2012    K. Jeskie    R. Stuart    N. Langerman    F. Wood-Black, G. Wahl

2011    K. Fivizzani    R. Stuart    N. Langerman    F. Wood-Black, G. Wahl

2010    S. Wawzyniecki    R. Stuart    N. Langerman    F. Wood-Black, G. Wahl

2009    R. Phifer    R. Stuart    N. Langerman    G. Wahl

2008    E. Talley    R. Stuart    N. Langerman    K. Benedict G. Wahl

2007    B. Foster    R. Stuart    N. Langerman    K. Benedict G. Wahl

2006    J. Kapin    R. Stuart    N. Langerman    K. Benedict G. Wahl

2005    R. Phifer    B. Foster    E. Talley    E. Segal G. Wahl

2004    Neal Langerman    B. Foster    E. Talley    E. Segal G. Wahl

2003    Robert Hill    R. Phifer    E. Talley    E. Segal M. Solstad G. Wahl

2002    J. Palmer    R. Phifer    E. Talley    E. Segal M. Solstad G. Wahl

2001    F. Wood-Black    R. Phifer    E. Talley    D. Schmidt E. Segal G. Wahl

2000    K. Fivizzani    S. Moon    E. Talley    W. Kingsley E. Segal G. Wahl

1999    R. Hathaway    S. Moon    P. Ashbrook    W. Kingsley E. Segal G. Wahl

1998    M. Solstad    S. Moon    P. Ashbrook    W. Kingsley E. Segal G. Wahl

1997    P.- Y. Lu    S. Moon    P. Ashbrook    A. Norberg E. Segal G. Wahl

1996    W. Kingsley    S. Moon    P. Ashbrook    A. Norberg R. Phifer E. Segal

1995    G. Wahl    S. Moon    P. Ashbrook    A. Norberg R. Phifer E. Segal

1994    S. Sichak    R. Hathaway    P. Ashbrook    R. Phifer E. Segal G. Wahl

1993    J. Breazeale    R. Hathaway    S. Szabo    E. Segal M. Solstad

1992    D. Marsick    R. Hathaway    S. Szabo    E. Segal M. Solstad

1991    H. Fawcett    R. Hathaway    S. Szabo    L. Phifer M. Solstad

1990    R. Alaimo    R. Hathaway    S. Szabo    L. Phifer M. Solstad

1989    P. Redden    R. Hathaway    D. Katz    E. Brown L. Phifer

1988    J. Kaufman    E. Garcia    D. Katz    E. Brown D. Walters

1987    L.J. Nicholls    E. Garcia    D. Katz    E. Brown D. Walters

1986    C. Marlowe    E. Garcia    D. Katz    L. Doemeny D. Walters

1985    L. Phifer    E. Garcia    D. Katz    L. Doemeny J. Young

1984    D. Walters    E. Garcia    D. Katz    L. Doemeny J. Young

1983    R. Scott    E. Garcia    L. Phifer    E. Becker J. Young

1982    M. Renfrew    D. Walters    L. Phifer    E. Becker H. Fawcett

1981    L. Doemeny    D. Walters    L. Phifer    E. Becker H. Fawcett

1980    J. Young    D. Walters    L. Phifer    H. Fawcett

1979    H. Fawcett    E. Becker*    E. Becker*

1978    H. Fawcett    E. Becker

Reference material

Welcome to 2019!

Welcome to the Division of Chemical Health and Safety’s (CHAS) website. Our organization is an all-volunteer division of the American Chemical Society. The Division is home to chemists from industry and academia and safety professionals who are interested in the well-being of those who use chemicals (at work, in education, or at home) and the protection of the environment.

Sammye Sigmann
2019 Chair of CHAS

Through our mission to, “…provide authoritative technical resources and mentorship in chemical health and safety for all.”, we support Safety in the Chemistry Enterprise. Please take a few minutes and browse the various pages of our website to learn more about our divisional activities.

We invite you to join CHAS, which gives you access to all of the resources our division has to offer. Membership in the Division provides opportunities to network with professionals from variety of disciplines who share a common passion for industrial and research chemical safety and chemical safety education.

When you become a member, you will have access to:

Our volunteers are active in:

  • Communicating health and safety information to the greater community by our website and social media platforms,
  • Working with other ACS partners such as the Committee on Chemical Safety (CCS) to produce high quality educational materials,
  • Organizing technical symposia (often co-sponsored with other divisions and/or the CCS)­­­­ at National and Regional ACS meetings,
  • Providing information on careers, education, and ACS resources in chemical health and safety by working in the ACS sponsored Expo booth at National Meetings. 

We recognize contributions from our volunteers and sponsors:

  • With several divisional awards,
  • Through social events at National meetings.

2019 looks to be a very busy year as we work with other divisions such as Industrial & Engineering Chemistry (I&EC), Chemical Education (CHED), and Analytical Chemistry (ANYL) to include safety symposia in their programing.

Wishing you a productive & safe year in your educational and/or work endeavors,

-Samuella (Sammye) Sigmann, 2019 Chair
ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety