About CHIMERA
CHIMERA is a comprehensive safety software system which incorporates various safety modules that consolidate the collection and reporting of safety information. It is also the gateway to UNLV’s chemical inventory which provides a series of tools and functions that enable users to view inventory data, safety data sheets (SDS), hazard reports, etc.
Members of the campus community, including principal investigators (PIs), laboratory directors, instructors, research assistants, and student employees can register for access to their associated inventory. Through a diverse selection of tools, CHIMERA has flexibility that enables its users to view and manage their chemical inventory efficiently and effectively.
Benefits of CHIMERA
Maintaining an active inventory of all chemicals used within a lab or other use spaces benefits users in a multitude of ways, from the availability of chemical safety data to the reduction of cost and chemical waste. CHIMERA is available to help facilitate these needs, granting the UNLV community the tools they need to be safe and successful in whatever research endeavors they are undertaking.
Annual Inventory
The RMS Chemical Inventory Management team performs an inventory sweep using CHIMERA every year to assist the campus community. These sweeps encompass the entire UNLV Maryland and Shadow Lane campuses and other satellite sites. During these annual inventories, chemical products are added, removed, and transferred to bring CHIMERA inventory data fully up to date, at that time. This means for most campus users, there is already an inventory present for their respective areas within CHIMERA.
User Tools
By registering for an account and gaining access to the inventory recorded for their associated areas including labs and other use spaces, campus users can maintain an accurate inventory throughout the year. This enables users to better leverage the benefits provided by the various inventory processes, reports, and tools, including:
- Inventory Management tools which allow users to add, remove, edit, and transfer chemical inventory. Inventory is tracked by building and room, with the additional option of adding storage locations, allowing users to track their inventory down to the cabinet or shelf they sit on, so they can always find their chemicals when they need them.
- Reporting includes a variety of different standard inventory reports, chemical hazard reports, cost reports, and more. Various search tools are also available so users may search their inventory directly. For those enrolled at the ChemShare Participant user level, the ChemShare search helps users to reduce expenses from the purchase of chemicals that might be available in a fellow ChemShare Participant’s lab. ChemShare also helps reduce potential chemical waste by eliminating the purchase of excess chemicals.
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are deeply integrated into the CHIMERA system. At multiple points throughout inventory management, reporting, and searching, SDSs are directly linked to the chemical products and can be downloaded and viewed with the click of a button. Additionally, users have access to a general SDS search, which covers a list of over 100,000 chemical products from multiple major manufacturers.
- Secondary Label Generation allows users to generate secondary container labels using a barcode number quickly and easily. The user can simply enter the barcode from the chemical product the secondary container is derived from and, using the information provided on the product SDS, CHIMERA will generate a label with relevant hazard information that can be printed and affixed to the container.
Access to CHIMERA
CHIMERA is available to all relevant members of the campus community, which includes principal investigators (PIs), laboratory directors, instructors, research assistants, and student employees.
CHIMERA provides multiple user account types based on the user's on-campus roles and needs. These include various customized and university specific account rolls. Those roles relevant to UNLV campus users include:
- The UNLV Standard Chemical Inventory user type has access to administratively assigned areas, which includes the ability to view reports and edit inventories in those assigned areas.
- The UNLV ChemShare for Chemical Inventory is an opt-in user type that allows users to share their inventory information with other ChemShare participants, while also providing them with the ability to search the ChemShare Participant pool for chemicals. Like the Staff user type, these users also have access to administratively assigned areas, which includes the ability to view reports and edit inventories in those assigned areas.
- The UNLV Basic Chemical Inventory (Read-Only Account) type which has read-only access to inventory reports for areas to which they have been administratively assigned.
- The UNLV Campus Regulator user type has read-only access to campus-wide reporting.
CHIMERA is available 24/7 online.
Additionally, Safety Data Sheets are also available through any device connected to the Campus Network (UNLV WiFi or Ethernet).
Once there, the user will need to choose their account type, and if applicable, provide the desired room access the user may need. Please note, for multi-room requests, do not use commas or other marks in between rooms.
Upon submission of a request, a CHIMERA administrator will reach out to the Lab Supervisor to confirm user access if necessary. When user access is approved an email will be sent with a temporary password. Users must login within seven days of receiving the email or the account will be locked out.
User Support
The RMS Chemical Inventory Management team always aims to provide the best possible user support. We offer multiple options for CHIMERA support and training:
- An in-app Contact Support function that enables users to reach out directly to system administrators for assistance
- An in-app CHIMERA manual is available to describe the main CHIMERA tools as well as inventory processes
- Personalized training sessions (remote or in-person) are also available upon request from the Chemical Inventory Management unit and can be catered directly to the user’s needs
- Need help learning the inventory management tools? Want to learn how to leverage inventory data and reports to reduce cost? We’re always here to aid the campus community in being successful in their chemical inventory management goals.
For questions regarding account management or technical support, please don’t hesitate to contact the Chemical Inventory Management Unit of Risk Management and Safety. We’d love to hear from you and lend a helping hand.
Future Expansions
CHIMERA is constantly being reviewed and updated to improve its efficiency and functionality, including the expansion to new modules and features. It is anticipated that in the near future the following modules will become available for use by the campus community:
Inspection System
This system was designed to enable the creation of custom inspections with a variety of input types and photo integration, allowing for a clear and concise inspection process that results in quality reports. Users of this system will also note the simple mobile friendly interface that allows them to conduct their inspections with ease. Additionally, completed inspection reports are in an easily accessible location allowing users to quickly review their initial inspections, track follow-up inspections, comment on pending items and add any new items that must be addressed. Once completed, quick access to key analytical data is available through a refined set of reports. At this time, this system is currently being used for various Risk Management and Safety inspections across campus.
Equipment Management System
This system assists users in managing any type of equipment the user may need to track. This can include fume hoods, fire extinguishers, AEDs, eyewash/showers, fork-lifts, etc. Users can add and manage equipment types while creating custom inspection templates that are easily accessible via mobile devices. Additionally, the various available reports enable users to identify potential issues, capture key analytical information, and track trends for any equipment which they manage. At this time, this system is currently being used on campus to track multiple equipment types managed by Risk Management and Safety.