The Lab hosted a small, invitation-only ribbon-cutting, or rather pictogram-cutting, ceremony on Thursday, June 5, to celebrate the completion of the new Central Chemical Receiving Facility (CCRF). Michael Brandt, Deputy Laboratory Director for Operations and Chief Operating Officer, and Maria Nappi, Director of the Environment, Health and Safety Division, both delivered remarks highlighting the significance of the new facility in supporting the Lab’s mission.
“At Berkeley Lab, safety is always our top priority, and this new Central Chemical Receiving Facility represents a step forward in our commitment to operational excellence and risk management,” said Michael Brandt. “It’s an essential investment that significantly strengthens our safety posture and enhances our overall ability to conduct world-class science.”
Designed to enhance safety protocols and operational efficiency, the CCRF facilitates and controls the arrival of hazardous chemicals and gases at the Lab. The facility introduces several significant improvements to chemical management, including timely and consistent radio frequency identification (RFID) tagging of chemicals and accurate chemical management system (CMS) inventory.
“With a more accurate inventory system, we can now track time-sensitive chemicals and alert the researchers when their chemicals need to be tested or managed,” explained Martin Neitzel, Safety Manager for Materials and Chemical Sciences Divisions. “The Fire Department can monitor flammable chemicals and alert researchers when they have exceeded a fire control zone limit. Additionally, the CCRF allows EHS to intercept potentially problematic orders — whether they’re restricted items ordered by mistake or accidental quantity errors, such as ordering ten cases instead of ten bottles. These measures significantly enhance our overall safety posture while allowing researchers to focus on their scientific work with full confidence in the proper management of their chemical materials.”
The facility is owned and managed by the EHS Division Research Support Team, in partnership with Facilities Division Shipping & Receiving (S&R) at B69.
For additional information about the CCRF, visit the Chemical Safety website.
