Environmental Health & Safety
Laboratory Safety
CampusOptics
CampusOptics is coming to the University of Rochester!
The Laboratory Safety Unit will be moving the current chemical safety management system from Chematix to CampusOptics. The current Chematix system holds the University's Laboratories and Facilities Chemical Inventories, Waste Management, and Annual Inspection Reports. CampusOptics is a platform specifically designed for higher educational and research institutions. They are a technology company that provides a streamlined, intuitive user interface and mobile platforms.
If you would like to learn more about CampusOptics, you can view a brief CampusOptics Overview to get a sense of the system.
At this time the Laboratory Safety Unit will only be focusing on getting the Chemical Inventory, Waste Management, Safety Data Sheets, and the Inspections platforms transitioned. This switch is currently targeted for mid-July 2025. Once this change occurs, Chematix will no longer be accessible to laboratories. EH&S will continue to have access to Chematix until early 2026 to ensure all data has successfully been transitioned and secured. In the future, we aim to also use CampusOptics to hold research laser inventories, chemical fume hood data, and laboratory formaldehyde and Personal Protective Equipment assessments.
Do Labs Need to Do Anything?
Thankfully no! EH&S is working with CampusOptics and University IT to have all inventory data transitioned over to Campus Optics prior to launch. This platform will also be a SSO (Single Sign-On) platform, meaning you will use your University Active Directory username and password just like other University systems.
You will continue to use this new system as you have used Chematix: for waste chemical disposable, adding or removing reagents from your laboratory, and receiving your annual laboratory inspection reports as well as resolving any inspection deficiencies.
The University will continue to barcode its chemicals, and annual chemical reconciliation will continue to be a requirement. Safety Data Sheets will also continue to be available through the CampusOptics system and will be sourced through PubChem, Sigma-Aldrich, and other reliable manufacturers.
Training:
EH&S will hold zoom training sessions every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday beginning in June to assist laboratories with the new system. Upon request, the Laboratory Safety Unit can attend Departmental meetings and provide live training demonstrations. We will also have step-by-step instructions on our website to help with specific tasks:
- Adding and removing chemicals from your inventory
- Disposing of chemical waste
- Annual reconciliation
- Resolving any laboratory deficiency found during an inspection
We will continue to provide updates, develop training, and FAQ's for laboratories and Departments as we get closer to the transition.
Still have questions? Please contact your Department's Laboratory Safety Inspector or email us at questions@safety.rochester.edu
QUESTIONS or COMMENTS?
Contact EH&S at (585) 275-3241 or e-mail EH&S Questions.
This page last updated 2/18/2025. Disclaimer.
