Chemical management overview

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated November 27, 2025
  • 3 minutes to read
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    Summary of Chemical Management Overview

    The Chemical Management solution is designed for organizations managing large chemical inventories and complex compliance requirements. It helps streamline chemical requests, approvals, and risk assessments to promote safer workplace practices. Integration with the 3E database ensures access to the latest chemical safety data, supporting accurate hazard communication and regulatory conformance.

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    Chemical Management Workflow

    This workflow enables chemical managers to monitor chemical libraries and manage employee chemical requests effectively. Employees can search and select chemicals from the chemical library or request new chemicals via the Employee Center. Chemical managers review and approve or reject requests in the Health and Safety Workspace. This process ensures workers handle chemicals safely with up-to-date safety data.

    Key Benefits

    • Centralized Inventory Tracking: Simplifies management of extensive chemical lists and hazardous materials.
    • Compliance Support: Quick access to hazard information and Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
    • Streamlined Workflows: Integrated request and approval processes with 3E data and ServiceNow platforms accelerate chemical management.
    • Automatic Hazard Data Updates: Integration with external providers like 3E Protect ensures current safety information.
    • Aggregated Hazard and Ingredient Data: Supports risk assessments and safety planning at chemical group levels.
    • Risk Assessment Facilitation: Links chemical requests to risk evaluations for proactive hazard control.
    • Document Management: Versioning and role-based access improve audit readiness and document security.

    Chemical Library and Records

    The chemical library in the Employee Center offers searchable access to chemicals, their manufacturers, approved locations, and custodians. Selecting a chemical reveals a detailed chemical record, which includes:

    • GHS-aligned hazard identification with classes, statements, and precautionary measures based on Globally Harmonized System revision 10.
    • Ingredient details with substance concentrations supporting compliance and risk management.
    • Links to physical chemical storage locations across sites.
    • Integrated document management for attaching and versioning SDS and related safety documents.
    • Automatic metadata population via 3E Protect integration.
    • Association with risk assessments and job safety analysis to support safety planning and conformance.

    Chemical Groups

    Chemical groups organize similar chemicals for easier management, such as grouping various acids under an "Acids" group. Groups aggregate key information including chemical counts, requests, ingredients, hazard details, documents, and risk assessments. This consolidated view aids in managing related chemicals and understanding group-level risks.

    The chemical management solution is designed to scale for organizations with large chemical inventories and complex conformance needs. It provides tools for managing chemical requests, approvals, and risk assessments, supporting safer workplace practices.

    Chemical management workflow

    The chemical management workflow enables chemical managers effectively track chemical libraries and manage chemical requests. This workflow promotes employee safety by providing accurate safety data to workers who handle chemicals. Integration with the 3E database enables you to access the latest chemical safety data online. In the chemical management workflow,
    • The employee uses the chemical library to view or look for chemicals that they want to work with.
    • The employee can either select an existing chemical or request a new chemical from the Employee Center.
    • The chemical manager receives the chemical request and can approve or reject it in the Health and Safety Workspace.
    Figure 1. Chemical request process flow

    Benefits

    • Centralized tracking of chemical inventories makes it easier to manage large lists and hazardous materials.
    • Enhanced compliance support provides quick access to hazard information and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for chemicals.
    • Streamlined chemical request and approval workflows, including 3E integration with the Employee Center and the Health and Safety Workspace. This workflow simplifies and accelerates the process.
    • Automatic updates of hazard data through integration with external providers, such as 3E Protect, promote the latest and most accurate safety information.
    • Aggregation of hazard identification and ingredient data for chemical groups, supports risk assessment and safety planning.
    • Facilitation of risk assessments by linking chemical requests to risk evaluation processes enables proactive hazard management.
    • Support for document management with versioning and role-based access improves the ability to conduct audits and enhances the security of safety documents.

    Chemical Library

    In the Employee Center the chemical library displays a list of chemicals, its manufacturer, approved locations, and the person responsible for maintaining that chemical. You can search for a chemical using the Location or you can use the search box and enter a keyword. Selecting a chemical name displays the chemical record.

    Chemical record overview

    A chemical record in the system serves as a comprehensive repository for all relevant information about a specific chemical used within an organization. A chemical record includes GHS aligned detailed hazard identification, such as hazard classes, statements, and precautionary measures, enabling you quick access to critical safety data.
    Note:
    The demo data provided is based on The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) revision 10 hazard classification. Integration with 3E systems ensures that the hazard category is automatically populated when a chemical request is created. Access to the correct hazard data is provided, enabling you to view up-to-date safety information for each chemical.

    The ingredient information is captured, specifying the substances present and their respective concentrations, which supports both compliance and risk management activities.

    Chemical records can be organized into groups, enabling for aggregation of ingredient and hazard data at the group level. This feature is useful for managing families of chemicals, such as cleaning products or solvents, and provides an overview of potential risks associated with each group. The record also maintains links to chemical items, detailing the physical storage locations of containers or bottles across various sites.

    Document management is integrated into the chemical record, enabling attachment and versioning of safety data sheets (SDS) and other relevant documents, such as standard operating procedures. This confirms that all documentation is up-to-date and accessible for audits or regulatory reviews.

    The system supports integration with external databases like 3E Protect, enabling automatic population of chemical metadata and safety information. Each chemical record can be associated with risk assessments and job safety analysis, facilitating conformance and supporting robust safety planning throughout the organization.

    Chemical group

    A chemical group is a way to organize chemicals together within the system, allowing you to group similar chemicals for easier management. For example, Acids chemical group contains different types of acids listed under it. The group aggregates information like the number of chemicals, chemical requests, ingredients, hazard identification, related documents, and risk assessments, providing a consolidated view of key details for all chemicals in that group.