Division of Chemical Health and Safety

Division of Chemical Health and Safety

Formation	1979
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Location	United States
Membership	1,160
Official language	English
Parent organization	American Chemical Society
Website	www.dchas.org

The Division of Chemical Health and Safety (DCHAS) is a technical division of the American Chemical Society (ACS) that focuses on health and safety within the field of chemistry. It was founded in 1979 in Washington, D.C., DCHAS works with a variety of sister professional organizations, including the ACS Committee on Chemical Safety, AIChE's Center for Process Safety, Campus Safety, the Health and Environmental Association, and the AIHA Laboratory Safety Committee.

Origin

The proposal for the department was first put forward in September 1979 in a meeting of the American Chemical Society in Washington, D.C. Following the discussion, the recommendation was rejected on a purposed formality. Understanding the importance of division status, Glenn T. Seaborg advocated for the recommendation at the meeting of what was called the Science Commission. Later that year, the Division of Chemical Health and Safety was established.

Mission

The Division of Chemical Health and Safety plays a multifaceted role in the domain of chemical safety and health. Its primary objective is to advocate for and reinforce safety practices in the handling and utilization of chemicals. Moreover, the Division serves as a platform for understanding the laws and regulations that govern this field. A fundamental aspect of its mission is to share information about the health, safety, and environmental implications associated with various chemicals. Pursuant to this goal, the Division promotes interdisciplinary dialogue and the exchange of scientific insights among its members. It actively seeks collaborations with other divisions within the American Chemical Society (ACS) and other professional organizations, with the aim of fostering a unified approach to matters related to chemical health and safety.

Awards

The awards provided by DCHAS to recognize leadership service in the area of chemical health and safety includes:

• Howard Fawcett Chemical Health and Safety Award: An award outstanding individual contributions to the field of Chemical Health and Safety.
• SafetyStratus College and University Health and Safety Award: An award for the most comprehensive chemical safety programs in higher education (undergraduate study only).
• Tillmanns-Skolnik Award: An award for outstanding, long-term service to the Division of Chemical Health and Safety.
• CHAS Student Registration Award: An award providing reimbursement in the amount of full-conference registration fee (undergraduate, graduate, or pre-college teacher student rate, as applicable).
• Laboratory Safety Institute Graduate Research Faculty Safety Award: An award to graduate-level academic research faculty who demonstrate outstanding commitment to chemical health and safety in their laboratories.
• Service Awards: An award given to encourage student participation in CHAS programming at ACS national meetings.
• CHAS Fellows Award: An award given for a lifetime of dedication and service to the American Chemical Society, the ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety, and the field of chemical health and safety.