EH&S: Industrial Hygiene: Chemical Hygiene Program

CHEMICAL HYGIENE PROGRAM EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The University has a written Chemical Hygiene Program (CHP) to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)regulation in 29 CFR 1910.1450. This regulation mandates a program of practices, procedures, and policies to protect employees using hazardous chemicals. The CHP is available through Departmental Chemical Hygiene Officers (DCHO), on the web and through Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S). Listed below are highlights of of the program:

Section I: General Principles
The University will provide an environment free from recognized hazards that could cause injury or illness. Employees will not be exposed above the Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) or the Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for any chemical.

Section II: Responsibility
This section states that the responsibility of the CHP resides with each department having laboratories; Deans, Administrators, Chairs, PIs, Supervisors, and technicians share in the responsibility.

Section III: Employee Information and Training
All laboratory employees are to receive general training annually, to be informed about the risks of working in a laboratory, and what to do in an emergency. Reference materials about the hazards, safe handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals are readily available for all personnel.

Section IV: Medical Consultations and Examinations
Medical examinations and consultations for work-related injuries, illnesses, and exposures are available from the University Health Service (UHS). In the event of serious injury or after hour emergency, care is available from Strong Memorial Hospital Emergency Department.

Section V: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Emergency Equipment
PPE offers a barrier between a laboratory worker and a hazardous substance. The limitation of PPE must be known and observed. EH&S will assist in the selection of PPE. All respirators must be used in accordance with the University's Respirator Protection Program. To minimize personal injury from chemicals, eyewash stations and safety showers must be available. Fire extinguishers may be required in or near labs. Spill control kits are recommended.

Section VI: Chemical Procurement, Distribution & Storage
Before a substance is used, information on the safe handling, storage, and disposal must be available. Purchase only those quantities necessary to reduce future wastes. Proper storage procedures for chemicals are listed in appendices.

Section VII: Waste Disposal Program
All chemical wastes are to be disposed of according to the guidelines in the Hazardous Wastes Management Unit's "Learner's Guideline for Responsible Hazardous Chemical Waste Management."

Section VIII: Laboratory Decommissioning
When labs are vacated, all hazardous materials must be removed and disposed of properly. This applies to all research and clinical areas. The PI or supervisor is reponsible for the necessary notifications.

Section IX: Signs and Labels
Signs must be posted to warn people of the hazards present in a laboratory. Signs must show the location of exits and safety items. All chemicals, solutions and wastes must be properly labeled.

Section X: Records
Records will be maintained for all employee training. Inventories and usage records for high-risk substances must be maintained by the PI.

Section XI: Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
A copy of an MSDS must be readily available for all chemicals used in each department. Copies of MSDS are available through the employee's department, EH&S, Carlson Library reference desk and the Poison Center (ext. 5-3232).

Section XII: Emergency Management
Laboratory personnel must be prepared in the event of a fire, spill, or other situation requiring emergency action or evacuation. Utilize the "Emergency 13" flip chart for actions. Non-trained personnel should not attempt to put out a fire or clean up a chemical spill. Call Security (x13) for assistance. Should an exposure occur, immediate first aid is to be taken, the supervisor should be notified, and UHS Occupational Health Unit at ext. 5-1164 should be contacted.

Section XIII: Fume Hoods
Local ventilation greatly reduces possible exposures to chemicals. All fume hoods are to have a face velocity of 100 feet per minute with the sash approximately 2/3 open. Problems with the operational status of a hood need to be called in to Facilities.

Section XIV: General Procedures for Working With Chemicals
The CHP requires laboratory employees to know and follow laboratory rules and procedures. This section lists general rules for working with chemicals, rules for working with moderate chronic or high acute toxicity, and for working with high chronic toxicity. Information on procedures for specific chemical groups can be found in Appendix 11.

The Appendices include:

QUESTIONS? Contact EH&S at (585) 275-3241 or e-mail EH&S Questions.

This page last updated 6/24/2005. Disclaimer