Enforcing proper use and storage of chemicals is extremely important for maintaining a safe environment. EHS is dedicated to overseeing all university facilities and ensuring compliance with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS). Additionally, EHS offers a self-guided, web-based training course to help improve lab security.
Please visit our staff directory for department contact information.
Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) are intended to prevent the intentional misuse of certain chemicals by sabotage, theft, diversion or direct attack. DHS has authority to inspect facilities to enforce compliance with CFATS. DHS can impose civil penalties up to $33,333 per day and has authority to shut down facilities that fail to comply with the regulations. Appendix A of the CFATS lists chemicals of interest (COI) and their corresponding screening threshold quantities. Facilities that possess a COI at or above the screening threshold quantity must report the information to DHS within 60 calendar days of coming into possession of the COI. This report is known as a Top-Screen.
Ohio State's Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) group will submit a Top-Screen to DHS for each facility at Ohio State that has COI above the screening threshold quantity in accordance with CFATS. EHS will submit information to DHS based on the chemical inventories in the EHS Assistant Web Based Chemical Inventory System. For this reason, it is important that all Ohio State faculty and staff submit and maintain up-to-date chemical inventories in the EHS Assistant Web Based Chemical Inventory System.
Direct questions about CFATS compliance to Crystal Shreve at 614-688-1480.
View the OSU CFATS Program
If you need to set up an EHS Assistant user account, please contact EHS at 614-292-1284.
View Related Documents
Links
Department of Homeland Security Appendix A - Chemicals of Interest