Minimize Workflow Disruptions with CISProLive
 Are unpredictable road blocks and workflow disruptions slowing you down? If you haven't made the switch from static spreadsheets to an interactive, real-time, up-to-date and accurate system - now's the time! CISProLive is a web-delivered version of our award-winning CISPro Chemical Inventory System® that makes it easy to move from your existing system without undergoing the pain of implementing a new system. A host of user-oriented features make it easy to set up and use, such as:
* Intuitive Windows-based graphical user interface
* End-to-end MSDS management consolidated to a single application
* Data migration services available through ChemSW managed services
* Safety data configured and managed by country or region, in multiple languages
* New, upgraded security module for optimum configurability of permissions levels.
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IMCSLive Automates Equipment Calibration Scheduling
Not only does IMCSLive enable your lab to automatically schedule periodic maintenance and inspection events as well as track, monitor and report those events using an extensive array of customizable reports, it can automate event scheduling, including:
* Easily schedule preventative maintenance events
* Event scheduling flexibility includes event definition for quickly setting the maximum number of times to perform the event, such as weekly, monthly or yearly
* Automatically schedule periodic maintenance and inspection events on laboratory equipment and instruments
* Schedule, track and report inspections on laboratory instruments and equipment.
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Conduct Rapid, Accurate Field Safety & Maintenance Inspections Using a Windows Handheld
Most field site inspections are conducted using a clipboard. The data is then transcribed into an electronic spreadsheet for reporting -- a laborious and error-prone process.
ChemSW's unique, new Site Inspection Live solution eliminates those issues. Now, Facility, Safety, Laboratory and Quality Control managers can upload inspection forms to a handheld, perform fast, mobile inspections for any type of asset or process -- from fire extinguishers to fume hoods to instruments to hazardous materials, you name it -- and download the data into SI Live for reporting. It's fast, simple, and accurate.
Even better, because it may make sense for a particular set of inspections to be done at the same time, SI Live allows you to define and assign inspections to routes. This means users can filter their view to inspections according to route, and export those inspections to the handheld device to be filled out simultaneously.
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Best Practices Tip for the Month
How to Survive a Chemical Management Audit
by Patrick Spink, Vice President, ChemSW, Inc.
Eliminating chemical safety deficiencies in the workplace can enable organizations to satisfy regulatory requirements and pass workplace chemical audits
Every year, many organizations fail to pass audits of their workplace chemicals because those chemicals and related supplies are not managed and controlled in a safe manner in accordance with regulations. One of the main causes for the continuing chemical safety deficiencies in the workplace that drive audit failure is the large number of requirements that govern chemical-related work. Numerous local, state and federal requirements have been promulgated to protect workers, equipment, facilities and the environment from the hazards associated with chemicals. Because such requirements can number in the thousands, simply identifying all of the applicable chemical safety-related requirements that govern any particular work activity with chemicals can be a monumental task. In addition, many of these requirements approach chemical safety from different perspectives, contain overlapping provisions, are sometimes contradictory, and often confusing
Why Chemical Safety Deficiencies Happen
There are any number of ways in which an organization's chemical management processes can be deficient and safety deficiencies can occur. In fact, it sometimes seems that no matter what measures have been put in place or how much training is provided, unforeseen errors still occur and audits still uncover problems with process design or execution. Still the goal is the eradication of chemical safety deficiencies and these tend to be driven by three main causes: people, processes, and technology (Figure 1).
Staff training on safe chemical handling is not a one time event. It must take place at regular intervals and chemical handling tasks should be periodically monitored, either through regular checks or internal audits, to ensure that staff continue to perform tasks as specified. Studies show that the vast majority of safety problems arise through poor handling.
Sometimes safety problems are caused by a poorly designed process. If the process is difficult to perform or difficult to understand why it should be performed in a certain way, errors are bound to occur. Not just errors; fatalities, injuries and significant property losses can result when people do not understand the full ramifications of the chemicals or materials they were handling, either because they didn't receive notification or didn't follow training or weren't trained appropriately. The challenge therefore is to design processes as simple and foolproof as possible. That's not easy, but it wouldn't be a challenge if it were! Technology can smooth out a process and make it easy for people to perform, or technology can add unnecessary layers of complexity to a process and cause users to perform workarounds to get the job done faster.
A software solution therefore must enhance the performance, handling, and monitoring of chemical management, and not cause bottlenecks or usage problems. Many companies use an off-the-shelf Chemical Inventory System (CIS) to support their chemical management program. A poorly designed CIS isn't particularly easy to use, and won't have necessary functions or provide information required to pass audits. A well-designed CIS will address regulatory requirements, accommodate safe chemical handling and storage, and make it easy for users to perform tasks.
When these three criteria are addressed with a strong training program, carefully planned processes, and a comprehensive CIS -- particularly when utilizing Best Practices -- you are well on the way to ensuring that your system and processes can pass an audit successfully.
Examine Challenges and Find Solutions
From lubricants to solvents, from flammable materials to corrosives, many organizations today handle and store a number of different chemicals that must be managed safely. It's not enough to ensure that you know where chemicals are, provide training and information about correct handling procedures, and ensure that chemicals are stored and disposed appropriately. There are many rules and regulations to ensure that these minimums take place. Rather, because of all these requirements - some of which conflict - it is extremely important to ensure that your organization is able to pass chemical management audits to prove that your system works both well and safely.
ChemSW's white paper entitled How to Survive a Chemical Management Audit examines the challenges and presents Best Practices solutions to assist chemists in understanding and addressing the myriad chemical inventory management requirements with which they must comply. A series of activity-based checklists that govern chemical-related work activities -- with overlap and duplication of requirements removed -- have been developed to assist in chemical management audits.
For more details on how your company can survive a chemical management audit, click here.
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