Chemical Hygiene Plans

Besides lead, there may be a variety of other substances that a worker may be exposed to. Earlier in this chapter we mentioned the possibility of mobile laboratories. If your site does have a mobile lab, there are a variety of other regulations that should be considered. Of course, hazard communication comes into play. A typical laboratory can have volumes of material safety data sheets in its libraries. Besides hazard communication, you should determine whether a chemical hygiene plan is a requirement. In addition, we need to consider how the laboratory might affect the site emergency plan. 

H. Safety considerations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), US Department of Labor, standard entitled Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories (29 CFR 1910.1450) makes it necessary to address safety issues in the SOP. The standard requires laboratories that use hazardous chemicals to maintain employee exposures at or below the permissible exposure limits specified for these chemicals in 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart Z. Hazards associated with any specific chemicals used in a method must be addressed so that the user has the information needed to follow the Chemical Hygiene Plan for their laboratory. The method developer should limit the use of hazardous chemicals where feasible. The use of toxic and/or carcinogenic reagents should be avoided or eliminated as much as possible. Additionally, the cost of disposal is increasing and could impact the practicality of a method. Material Safety Data Sheets for the analyte(s) and any unusual or hazardous reagents should be provided for the user. 

Safety policies and procedures are documented, and Material Safety Data Sheets are provided for all chemicals used in the laboratory. In addition, a chemical hygiene plan that defines the safety procedures for all hazardous chemicals is written in detail. All laboratory personnel must review these policies on an annual basis. 

It is not possible in the space available to list all the precautions to be taken when handling hazardous chemicals. Many texts have been written about laboratory safety see Literature Cited for a selected list of examples. Obviously, all national and local laws should be obeyed as well as all institutional regulations. Controlled substances are regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. By law, Material Safety Data Sheets must be readily available. All laboratories should have a Chemical Hygiene Plan [29CFRPart 1910.1450] and institutional safety officers should be consulted as to its implementation. Help is (or should be) available from your institutional Safety Office. Use it. 

General Outline for a Model Chemical Hygiene Plan... 

A person or employee who is qualified by training or experience to provide technical guidance in the development and implementations of the provisions of a Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP)... 

Students and workers should be taught about the concept of the chemical hygiene plan. 

Dispose of solutions according to local codes and chemical hygiene plan. 

Integrated chemical hygiene plan/lab safety tape for employee training. 

Employee/employer responsibilities, hazard identification, monitoring, medical services, employee training, protective equipment, and facility-specific Chemical Hygiene Plan. 

OSHA s laboratory chemical standard made simple. Chemical Hygiene Plan, hazards identification, safe lab practices, permissible exposure limits, exposure signs and symptoms, monitoring, and recordkeeping. 

All laboratories must have a written plan—the Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP)— which describes the provisions that have been made for safety by the laboratory managers. This requirement is regulated by OSHA under standard 29 CFR 1910.1450, Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories. The CHP sets out the specific procedures, work practices, safety equipment and personal protective equipment that have been selected to provide employee protection for the hazards found in each laboratory. An individual university or college laboratory will follow the CHP of the institution, which applies to all laboratories on campus the laboratory may also have a CHP that is specific to its individual conditions. College students should follow the provisions of the applicable CHP to ensure their safety. The CHP must include ... 

Skill 18.3 Recognize safety practices in the chemistry laboratory, including the characteristics and purposes of chemical hygiene plans. 

The necessity of safety in a laboratory is obvious. The information below is meant as an aid to you. It is not an exhaustive list. It is your responsibility to obtain all pertinent safety regulations and information from your institution, state, and federal authorities where applicable. A chemical hygiene plan (CHP) is a written report or manual that summarizes all of the science department s safety regulations, proper laboratory procedures for handling hazardous chemicals, and training procedures. The goal in developing these rules and procedures should be to minimize the exposure of employees and students to hazardous chemicals. The CHP should include ... 

Here is some information that will help with a chemical hygiene plan. 

CFR1910.1450 - Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories The chemical hygiene plan should address shock-sensitive hazards. 

The ES H Division maintains a web site where MSDSs are available for review for HazCom (Hazard Communication Program) and chemical hygiene plans. MSDS data are collected to satisfy EPCRA reporting requirements and to complete waste disposal forms. All chemical disposals are performed in accordance with General Waste Management Requirements (LIR 404-00-02.2). The Facility and Waste Operations Division is responsible for pickup of waste and deposition to treatment facilities. 

The Chemical Hygiene Plan, HAZ COM Plan, and Carcinogen Management Attachments to the Chemical Management LIR outline LANL s planning requirements for safe chemical management. 

Managers of laboratory personnel also ensure that additional provisions for personnel protection are made for those who work with particularly hazardous substances and that work with particularly hazardous substances covered under the OSHA Laboratory Standard is performed in a designated area. They must also ensure that SNL personnel understand and comply with SNL s Chemical Hygiene Plan and 29 CFR 1910.1450 (and its appendices), as well as the additional requirements defined in the "Hazard Communication Standard," and the TSCA for chemicals that are developed in the laboratory or imported into the laboratory. 

CFR1910.1450(f)(4)(ii) 4.2.2 Training - The employee shall be trained on the applicable details of the employer s written Chemical Hygiene Plan. 

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