Division of Chemical Health and Safety

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. Founded in 1979 in Washington, D.C., DCHAS works with many 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.[1]

Division of Chemical Health and Safety
Formation1979
HeadquartersWashington, D.C.
Location
  • United States
Membership
1,160
Official language
English
Parent organization
American Chemical Society
Websitewww.dchas.org

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. 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.[2]

Mission

The Division of Chemical Health and Safety holds a multifaceted role in the realm of chemical safety and health. Its foremost aim is promoting and reinforcing safety measures in chemical handling and usage. Additionally, the Division provides a platform for comprehending the laws and regulations that govern the field. An integral part of its mission is to disseminate information about the health, safety, and environmental implications of various chemicals. With this objective, the Division encourages cross-disciplinary dialogue and exchange of scientific information among its constituents. It actively seeks collaborations with other divisions within the American Chemical Society (ACS) and other professional societies, aiming to create a cohesive approach to issues of chemical health and safety.

Awards

The awards provided by DCHAS include:[3]

  • Howard Fawcett Chemical Health and Safety Award: An award for 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 a 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 is given for a lifetime of dedication and service to the American Chemical Society, the ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety, and the chemical health and safety field.

References
  1. Box, Melinda (2023-04-10). "About Us". ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  2. Stuart, Ralph (2017-08-03). "History". ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  3. Stuart, Ralph (2022-09-24). "The Nomination Process for CHAS Awards". ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
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