Laboratory chemical hygiene programs

Assist the individual laboratory managers to develop their own chemical hygiene programs. The CHO should not be, and indeed is not likely to be, sufficiently familiar with the operations of individual laboratories to be expected to write the plans for specific laboratories. They should provide a template or format for the persons locally responsible for a specific facfiity. 

EPA. Draft Questions Answers for the New Chemicals Program, 3-2-3-3, question 301-2 (undated), [hereinafter Draft PMN Q A], available at http //www.epa.gov/oppt/newchems/ pubs/qanda-newchems.pdf. The OSHA laboratory standards are in 29 C.F.R. 1910.1450, and require the formulation and implementation of a Chemical Hygiene Plan. 

Assists departments, individual laboratories with their chemical hygiene plans Other OSHA, EPA, NRC required training Organizational safety policies and training programs... 

The Chemical Hygiene Plan should require that laboratory workers know and follow its rules and procedures. In addition to the procedures of the sub programs mentioned above, these should include the rules listed below. 

In addition to the written Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) a series of additional documents are essential components of the laboratory safety program (Table I). These forms and policies are used to provide additional documentation of compliance for laboratory operations link CHP practice to other safety procedures within the department of Health and Environmental Safety at NJIT. 

Questions of compliance to the 1910.1450 "Laboratory Standard" arise for smaller colleges and universities where science instruction routinely includes laboratory work. What does compliance mean in this situation Are students and teachers targeted by this standard Should a "small school" be concerned with compliance How is compliance achieved and maintained How does the overall campus Hazard Communication Program connect with a smaller Chemical Hygiene Plan ... 

Regarding safety and health compliance programs, it is relatively easy for someone to discuss or point out to someone else what is required to be accomplished. The purpose of this text is to do this but also to show exactly what is required. Thus, in this section a Chemical Hygiene Plan that has been used for several years and updated regularly is described in full. This particular plan is an excellent example of the type of written CHP that can be used in the environmental laboratory. It is an excellent plan because it has been tested, audited, and corrected (as needed). 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration s (OSHA s) r ulation for Occupational Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories, 29 CFR 1910.1450 (the standard), requires that each facUity engaged in the laboratory use of hazardous chemicals develop and implement a written program known as a Chemical Hygiene Plan, which sets forth procedures, equipment, personal protective equipment, and safe work practices that will ... 

Notice to all lab workers All laboratory personnel are responsible for familiarizing themselves with XYZ s Chemical Hygiene Plan and adhering to it. Emphasis in the Chemical Hygiene Plan is placed first and foremost on protecting the employees. Moreover, failure to comply with this requirement is considered cause for disciplinary action. Copies of this written program will be available for review and reference by all employees in the following locations within the Central Environmental Laboratory ... 

It will be the responsibility of the Safety Officer/Safety Division to inform employees of the hazards that they may be exposed to in the workplace. The primary goal of the Chemical Hygiene Plan is to protect employees from hazards through an extensive training program that will provide the employee the necessary tools required to minimize the risk of exposure in the laboratory. 

In order for employees to be properly informed about hazardous materials in the workplace or specific work area, a training and information program (safety meeting) will be conducted on a quarterly basis. Discussion will include the requirements of the Chemical Hygiene Plan and specific problem areas (if any), as well as suggestions from all employees to improve the safety program of the laboratory. 

Multi-divisional program in biosensors at the Food Research Laboratory of Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Australia, Food Hygiene Department of the Campden Food and Drink Research Association (CFDRA) in the United Kingdom, and the Center of Chemical Sensors/Biosensors at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Switzerland. 

The health and environmental data collected in the laboratory becomes the basis for defining operating controls and practices auid for manufacture and use. Typically, the chemical manufacturer, and many users, initiate industrial hygiene monitoring auid medical surveillance programs in the commercial phase. 

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