Risk & Safety Solutions (RSS)- Chemicals Application
Learn about the features and how to use the RSS Chemicals Application.
Alert
RSS Chemicals Application is currently in a rollout phase across the campus. Do not use this application until you have been identified and selected by EH&S.
UC San Diego has adopted RSS Chemicals as the required chemical inventory system for all departments, labs, shops, and worksites using chemicals. Principal Investigators (PI’s), Department Safety Officers, and supervisors must ensure this system is activated, used and maintained.
The University of California RSS Chemicals application is a cloud-based chemical inventory management tool. It allows easy tracking and maintenance of containers using a barcoding system. Chemical and safety information, such as hazard codes and first aid, is automatically populated. The application enables users to create chemical networks to share chemicals while controlling access easily. The RSS Chemicals app includes a complementary web application that works in sync with the mobile app and has additional features such as structure search and import/export capabilities.
The web browser version of RSS Chemicals can be accessed from your desktop. The mobile app versions can be found on the Apple App Store and the Android Play Store.
Features of RSS Chemicals inventory management system
- Manage inventories using a mobile app and/or a desktop web application.
- Utilize a mobile device’s camera to scan barcodes, avoiding the need to enter items manually.
- Obtain safety information in the chemical library, which provides detailed chemical information including physical and chemical properties, structural information, hazard codes, and links to Safety Data Sheets.
- Create sublocations for chemical storage areas (including shelves and cabinets), making finding and tracking chemicals in the workplace easier.
- Create chemical networks with other laboratories to share chemicals while controlling access to inventories.
Getting Started with RSS Chemicals
To get started, Principal Investigators (PIs) should proceed with the initial login to the RSS Chemicals application (Include Link to application) utilizing UCSD’s Active Directory (AD) credentials. EH&S will assist with setting up your profile, including:
- Naming your chemical inventory
- Assigning building locations and sublocations (e.g., shelves, cabinets)
- Setting up your laboratory roster
If EH&S has an existing chemical inventory for your laboratory in UCSD’s My Research Safety system, this data will be imported into your new RSS Chemicals inventory.
Inventory Ownership and Naming Requirements
To maintain consistency across campus, only principal investigators (PIs) should be designated as chemical inventory owners. Although the RSS Chemicals platform does not restrict ownership assignments, UC San Diego policy requires that chemical inventories be registered under the responsible PI. If an inventory is found to be owned by someone who is not a PI, EH&S will request that the record be corrected or will update it directly if necessary.
In addition, all chemical inventories must follow a standard naming convention. The inventory name should include the PI’s first and last name, followed by “Chemical Inventory.” For example:
“John Smith Chemical Inventory”.
This helps ensure clear identification and consistency across departments and reporting systems.
Managing and updating chemical inventories is a regulatory requirement
Maintaining accurate chemical inventories is a regulatory requirement and is essential to ensuring the safety of first responders who may need to enter UC San Diego buildings. Principal Investigators (PIs) are responsible for maintaining accurate chemical inventories of all hazardous chemicals used in their laboratories in the RSS Chemicals Application.
Chemical inventories must be updated annually and whenever there is a significant change (e.g., the chemical is moved to a new location or is removed or there are changes to and when a new storage and use location is added.)
How-to Guides (Tutorials)
The following topic-based guides will assist with MOST functions in the RSS Chemicals App.
General Use
- Setting up your Chemicals account
- Adding to your chemical inventory:
- Reassigning a container
- Creating a sublocation
- Editing a sublocation
- Editing a chemical container
- Deleting a chemical container
- Sharing Chemicals Guide
Barcodes
Reconciling Chemicals with an RFID Scanner
Labs can purchase their own RFID scanner, otherwise, contact your Department Safety Officer to obtain your loaner scanner. On a case-by-case basis, the EH&S Chemical Inventory team has a loaner RFID Scanner that users can request for a short period. Please contact us using the email at the bottom of the page for more details.
Reconciliation refers to the process of comparing inventory records from the RFID system with the actual physical stock to ensure accuracy and identify any discrepancies. RFID barcoding streamlines the management of chemical inventories. This technology allows researchers to easily track and reconcile their chemical stocks using an RFID scanner. EH&S can assist in conducting reconciliation for your laboratory by request and provide additional RFID scanner details.
See contact information below.
Support and Resources
Area Safety Contacts (ASC’s) serve as a lab or group first-line point of contact for users in that lab or group. If an ASC needs assistance, the Department Safety Officer, Chemical Inventory Team, & Research Assistance Program (RAP) provide ADMIN support for anyone managing a chemical inventory in the RSS Chemicals Application. This includes general guidance and assistance related to your chemical inventory management; training users on accessing and using RSS Chemicals Application; and RFID barcode procurement and implementation. Visit Risk and Safety Solutions for the most current Chemical RSS Chemical Application Resources.
... Can't find the technical answer you're looking for?
RSS Help Desk available Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Phone: (530) 618-5580
[Phone service includes call routing to the next representative, phone queues where the caller can choose to hold or leave a message, and information if the caller has reached RSS during non-business hours]
Email: service@riskandsafety.com