Environmental Health & Safety Chemical Hygiene Plan

Last Update 03/27/2008

I. Purpose & Scope

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OR-OSHA) has promulgated a regulation covering the occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories. Included in this regulation is a requirement for Oregon State University (OSU) to develop and carry out a Chemical Hygiene Plan.

The Chemical Hygiene Plan must include:

• procedures to assure safety and health in laboratories, 
• criteria for implementation of control measures, 
• provisions for training and information dissemination, 
• provisions for medical consultation, 
• designation of responsible personnel (to maintain safe conditions), and 
• criteria for identification of particularly hazardous substances (i.e., labeling). 

This document is OSU's Chemical Hygiene Plan. All laboratory personnel must understand and follow the guidelines outlined in this plan. In addition, each employee is expected to develop safe personal chemical hygiene habits aimed at minimizing chemical exposures to themselves and coworkers. This Chemical Hygiene Plan will be reviewed, evaluated and updated annually and must be made readily available to employees, their representatives and any representative of OR-OSHA.

It is important to follow this plan. OR-OSHA may monitor our laboratory operations. If we are not following the Chemical Hygiene Plan procedures, the University could be fined substantially. More importantly, following these procedures will assure that all OSU employees and students work in a safe and healthy environment.

This plan applies to all OSU employees engaged in the laboratory use of hazardous Chemicals.

"Laboratory use of hazardous chemicals" means the handling or use of such chemicals in which all of the following conditions are met:

1. Chemical manipulations are carried out in containers designed to be easily and safely manipulated by one person.
2. Multiple chemical procedures or chemicals are used.
3. The procedures involved are not part of a production process, nor in any way simulate a production process; and
4. Protective laboratory practices and equipment are available and in common use to minimize the potential for employee exposure to hazardous chemicals.

"Laboratory" means a room or group of rooms under the control of a lab supervisor or principal investigator (PI) where relatively small quantities of hazardous chemicals are used on a non-production basis. Rooms such as computer labs, electronic labs, reading labs are not considered "laboratories" under this Chemical Hygiene Plan.

1. The President of OSU has the ultimate responsibility for chemical hygiene throughout University laboratories, and, with assistance of other program administrators, provides ongoing support for safe use of chemicals at OSU.

1. The Senior Industrial Hygienist (Environmental Health and Safety) shall serve as the OSU Chemical Hygiene Officer.
2. This individual, or the members of their staff, shall have the responsibility and authority to:

1. Work with administrators and other employees to develop and implement appropriate chemical hygiene policies and practices.
2. Inspect any OSU facility and investigate any accident involving OSU employees, students or equipment.
3. Temporarily suspend the operations in any OSU laboratory in which the practices represent an imminent health hazard.
4. Monitor procurement of chemicals.
5. Oversee the performance of regular, formal chemical hygiene inspections and inspections of emergency equipment in all OSU laboratories.
6. Assist Lab Supervisors/PI and Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Officers to develop safety precautions and adequate facilities.
7. Maintain current knowledge concerning the legal requirements of regulated substances in the laboratory.
8. Review the OSU Chemical Hygiene Plan annually.
9. Monitor chemical hygiene training for compliance with code-mandated items.
10. Coordinate the chemical waste disposal program.

1. The Department Chair or Site Superintendent will determine the number of Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Officers needed for their unit and designate those Officers. At least one Officer will be required for each unit that has a laboratory operation involving chemicals.
2. The names of the individuals assigned as Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Officers for their department will be sent to Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S). EH&S should also be notified of any change in these assignments.

1. The Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Officer will be knowledgeable of the operations in the laboratory(ies) for which they are responsible.
2. The Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Officer will perform the following:

1. Assist the responsible Lab Supervisor/PI in the development of a Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plan for individual laboratories, if needed.
2. Inspect stored chemicals at least annually; inspect laboratory safety equipment and labeling periodically.
3. Evaluate procedures in each lab and determine those that are hazardous.
4. Determine adequacy of ventilation systems for new chemicals/procedures.
5. Provide information on proper handling of highly toxic chemicals to ordering labs.
6. Provide information on chemical hygiene, as needed.
7. Assist in or conduct chemical hygiene inspections in labs.

E. Lab Supervisor/PI

1. The Laboratory Supervisor or Principal Investigator is the individual who has the primary responsibility for safety in the laboratories under their control.
2. This individual, or delegated members of their staff, shall have the responsibility to:

1. Develop a Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plan for their laboratory.
2. Inspect their laboratories for unsafe conditions and practices and take appropriate corrective action.
3. Provide the required safety training to the employees and students that work in their laboratories. Document the training provided.
4. Investigate injuries to lab employees or over-exposure events.
5. Evaluate the need for protective equipment or chemical exposure monitoring.
6. Request appropriate monitoring from EH&S if necessary.

1. The University Chemical Safety Committee members are appointed by the Vice Provost for Research. The Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving any changes to the OSU Chemical Hygiene Plan.
2. The Chemical Safety Committee may also investigate and discuss reported unsafe practices conducted in any OSU laboratory. Their recommendations for correction, including disciplinary action, are to be sent to the Vice Provost for Research.

1. The OSU Chemical Hygiene Plan (this document) provides guidelines and a number of specific procedures relevant for all laboratories. However, each laboratory may wish to identify specific requirements for their labs. To do so, a laboratory must prepare a Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plan.
2. A Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plan is to be developed to respond to and document unique lab needs and procedures and may be required or optional. It must be in written form, kept on file in the laboratory, as Reference 1 of the OSU Chemical Hygiene Plan, and must be approved by the Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Officer.
3. A Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plan is required in labs where hazardous procedures are identified. This would involve the use of particularly hazardous substances, select carcinogens, reproductive toxins, or substances that cause a high degree of acute toxicity.
4. Copies of the OSU Chemical Hygiene Plan, references, Safety Instructions, and OR-OSHA standards can be obtained from EH&S. Most are available on this web site.

1. The decision to purchase a chemical shall be a commitment to handle and use the chemical properly from receipt to disposal.
2. Chemical containers must have appropriate labels that include the name of the chemical.

1. Chemical storage areas must have a standard OSU "CAUTION" sign that identifies emergency contact personnel. Contact EH&S at for signs. (Reference 5)
2. Glass containers that contain more than 4 liters of flammable liquids are prohibited.
3. Segregate chemicals by hazard classification and compatibility (Reference 21).
1. Separate oxidizers from flammable, combustible, or any organic material.
2. Separate acids from acid-sensitive materials such as cyanides and sulfides.
4. Place acid-resistant trays under bottles of mineral acids.
5. Minimize storage of chemicals at the lab bench, in hoods, and at other work areas.
6. Stored chemicals shall be inspected at least annually by the Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Officer for deterioration and container integrity. The inspection should detect corrosion, deterioration, or damage to the storage facility as a result of leaking chemicals.
7. Unneeded chemicals shall be discarded through EH&S.

Exposure to all chemicals should be minimized because all chemicals inherently present hazards in certain conditions and concentrations. General precautions that shall be followed for the handling and use of all chemicals are:

1. Use a container size of the minimum convenient volume for the task at hand. Quantities of chemicals at the lab bench should be as small as practical.
2. Avoid skin contact with all chemicals.
3. Wash all skin which came in contact with chemicals before leaving the laboratory.
4. When leaving the lab, stop all operations, or, for operations that do not require monitoring, make precautions for the interruption of utility service (e.g., loss of water pressure or electricity).
5. Food or beverages shall not be stored in laboratories or in chemical or specimen refrigerators and lab utensils or glassware will not be used for non-laboratory operations such as food or liquid consumption.
6. Treat substances of unknown toxicity as toxic. Any chemical mixture must be assumed to be as toxic as its most toxic component.
7. Laboratory employees must be familiar with the symptoms of exposure for the chemicals with which they work and the precautions necessary to prevent exposure.
8. In all cases of chemical exposure, the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) is not to be exceeded.

D. Disposal of Chemicals

1. EH&S provides a chemical waste disposal program for the campus. (Reference 7). In almost all cases this service is provided at no cost to labs within the generating department. The possible exceptions to this are handling some unknowns. To request chemical waste disposal use the EH&S hazardous waste web request.
2. Chemical waste must be disposed of through the OSU waste disposal program. Some non-hazardous chemical waste can be disposed of by pouring down the sewer. Consult EH&S prior to any sewer disposal.
3. All chemical waste containers must be labeled with the word "waste" plus a plain-language description of contents. They must also have a tight fitting lid.

1. Each laboratory is expected to maintain appropriate material to contain and clean up minor chemical spills.
2. Major chemical spills, or spills which migrate off the bench top or beyond the laboratory of origin are to be cleaned up by trained individuals. EH&S has individuals who are trained and equipped for hazardous material spill management. (Reference 16)
3. In the event of a major spill, or a spill of highly toxic chemicals
   • contact EH&S (after hours contact security services.)
   • post a sign warning of the spill at all entrances to the area unless personnel are on duty to provide adequate warning .

F. Glassware and Containers

1. All labs using glassware will have a clearly labeled broken glass container. Broken glassware will be immediately disposed of in this container.
2. High-vacuum evacuated glass apparatus will be shielded to contain chemicals and glass fragments should implosion occur.
3. All containers of chemicals shall be labeled.
1. Labels shall be informative and durable
2. Labels will identify contents and general hazards
3. Labels will include the plain-language chemical name
4. The chemical source, receipt date, storage location and initials/identifier of person who prepared the container should also be placed on the label.

1. ANSI approved safety glasses are required, at a minimum, when there is a need for eye protection because of handling highly toxic or corrosive chemicals.
2. Chemical goggles and/or a full face shield should be worn during chemical transfer of large quantities of corrosive chemicals.
3. Lab coats should be laundered periodically and shall be removed from the laboratory if there is significant contamination with a hazardous substance. Lab coats are considered protective gear and must not be worn outside laboratory are as (unless in transit between labs).
4. Wear appropriate chemical-resistant gloves at all times when hands may come in contact with chemicals. Discard damaged or deteriorated gloves immediately.
5. Wear thermal-resistant (non-asbestos) gloves when handling heated materials and exothermic reaction vessels. Discard damaged or deteriorated gloves immediately.
6. Respirators may be required for certain procedures, as determined by the lab's supervisor/PI in consultation with the Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Officer, based on the OSU Respirator Program (Reference 6).

1. Each OSU employee working in a laboratory must develop work habits consistent with this Chemical Hygiene Plan to minimize exposure to the chemicals. Laboratory Safety Rules should be understood and followed (Reference 25).
2. Plan operations, equipment and protective measures based on knowledge of the chemicals in use.
3. Use engineering controls (e.g., hoods, centrifuge rotor hoods) appropriately to minimize chemical exposure.
4. Wear appropriate protective equipment as procedures dictate and when necessary to avoid exposure.
5. Report unsafe laboratory practices or conditions to the Lab Supervisor/PI. The Lab Supervisor/PI should correct unsafe practices or conditions promptly.

1. Each laboratory worker is responsible for maintaining a reasonably clean and uncluttered work space.
2. Lab workers are jointly responsible for common areas of the laboratory.

V. Implementation of Sampling

1. EH&S will arrange for air sampling on request if there is reason to believe that exposure levels for regulated (Z-2) substances will exceed the action level or PEL (Reference 8).

1. When justified, biological samples (e.g., blood, urine) may be taken as requested by the employee or supervisor.

C. Sampling Records

1. Results of area air sampling should be posted for at least one month in the Laboratory. A copy will be kept at EH&S.
2. Results of personal or biological monitoring will be given to the monitored employee and their supervisor. A copy will be kept on file at EH&S.

VI. Safety Signs, Emergency/Safety Equipment, Engineering Controls, Special Rooms, General Precautions

1. Each main hallway entrance to a laboratory room/area, all chemical storage rooms and all cold rooms and warm rooms will have a standard "CAUTION" sign listing the individuals to contact in the event of an emergency. (Reference 5)
2. The location of safety and emergency equipment within the laboratory, including spill kits, should be identified by signs.
3. Warning signs are required in the event of engineering controls or special room failures or certain spills. There are no standard signs for such events--create bold, striking signs.

1. Emergency showers shall be inspected annually by Facilities Services. Records of inspections will be maintained at EH&S.
2. All laboratory personnel should be trained in the proper use of fire extinguishers.
3. Eyewash stations shall be inspected weekly (per OR OSHA code) by laboratory employees to determine that they operate. Records of inspections shall be maintained in the laboratory.
4. All laboratory safety equipment (e.g., safety glasses, gloves, noise earmuffs) shall be inspected at appropriate intervals by the lab workers for operational sufficiency. Records are not required.
5. Keep access to fire extinguishing equipment, eye washes, showers, electrical disconnects and other emergency equipment unobstructed.

Engineering controls installed in the laboratory are intended to minimize employee exposure to chemical and physical hazards. Examples are laboratory fume hoods, exhaust ducts, centrifuge rotor lid, ventilated animal cage units.

1. Inspection and Maintenance
1. Improper function of building engineering controls (hoods, exhaust ducts) must be immediately reported to Facilities Services Customer Service Unit and the system must be taken out of service until proper repairs have been completed. A sign should be posted indicating that it is out of service.
2. Engineering controls are to be inspected periodically for operational sufficiency (e.g., air is moving in hoods, rotor lids are not cracked) by the Lab Supervisor/PI.
3. Engineering controls will not be modified unless approved by the Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Officer.
2. Fume Hoods
1. Hoods shall be utilized for chemical procedures that might result in release of hazardous chemical vapors or dust. (Reference 15)
2. Be certain that the hood is operating before using it. All hoods shall a flow indicator on the sash.
3. After using hoods, continue to operate the fan until residual contaminants clear the duct work.
4. Inform the Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Officer of the use of unfamiliar chemicals or procedures to determine if the ventilation system is adequate to protect employees.
5. Always keep the sash of the hood closed or below the height specified by the inspection sticker. When using the hood work space, maintain the sash height as low as possible.
6. Place sources of air contaminants as close to the back of the hood as possible, and always at least 6" back from the sash.
7. Minimize storage of chemicals and equipment inside the hood.
8. Minimize interference with the inward flow of air into the hood.
9. Leave the hood operating when it is not in active use if chemical hazards are contained inside the hood or if it is uncertain whether there is adequate general laboratory ventilation.
10. Hoods shall be inspected on installation and annually or on request, by EH&S. The hood face velocity shall be tested at each inspection to ensure that it is maintained between 100 to 125 feet per minute. A record of the most recent inspection shall be placed on the hood, and historical records will be retained by EH&S.
3. Glove Boxes and Containment Rooms
1. The exhaust air from a glove box or containment room must be passed through High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters or other treatment before release into outside.

D. General Precautions

1. Preparation of food is not permitted in laboratory spaces where chemicals are used.
2. Eating and drinking are not permitted in laboratories where chemicals are used.

VII. Employee Training, Hazard Information, and Personal Protection

A. Training

B. Hazard Information

1. The Hazard Communication booklet should be available in each laboratory (Reference 9)
2. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS's) describe relevant safety and health information for a chemical. MSDS's for chemicals used in the laboratory should be in each laboratory or access to the main University MSDS computer data base should be immediately available.
3. MSDS's can be obtained from EH&S.

C. Personal Protection

1. All standard laboratory safety practices, such as the wearing of eye protection, shall be observed.
2. Prohibited Activities in Laboratories Where Chemicals are Used. There shall be no eating, drinking, smoking, chewing of gum or tobacco, application of cosmetics or storage of food in areas where chemicas are used.
3. Pipetting. Pipetting of chemicals by mouth is absolutely prohibited. Mechanical pipettes shall be used for pipetting.
4. Supplementary Training. The Chemical Safety Committee will be responsible for providing periodic workshops and training sessions which cover current information, procedures and equipment available for the use of chemicals in laboratories.

A. Hazardous Work

1. Areas where these chemicals are stored and used will have restricted access and have [specific] warning signs naming the hazard types.
2. Vacuum pumps when used with these chemicals must have scrubbers or High Efficiency Particulate Absolute (HEPA) filters.
3. Approval of the Lab Supervisor/PI will be obtained before initiating a new procedure using these chemicals.

D. Chemicals of High Chronic Toxicity

1. Such chemicals will be maintained in labeled, unbreakable, chemically resistant containers and stored in a limited-access area appropriate for the chemical.
2. Areas where such agents are used shall be identified by a sign on the hood, glove box or lab area.
3. The Lab Supervisor/PI will be knowledgeable of chemicals in use and will approve new procedures prior to implementation.
4. Vacuum pumps when used with these chemicals must have scrubbers or High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters.
5. Any contaminated equipment or glassware will be decontaminated as soon as possible and before further use.
6. For powders, a wet mop or vacuum with a HEPA filter will be used for cleanup, and the waste will be immediately disposed of.

1. All chemicals used in the animal caging/holding areas must be noted in the animal use protocol approved, prior to use of chemicals, by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
2. The PI is required to work with IACUC and the OSU Chemical Hygiene Officer to:
1. Develop procedures for the appropriate handling of animals, their wastes, cages, and disposal of the animal to prevent personnel exposure to the contaminant. Assure that personal protective equipment (per protocol) is worn by all persons handling these materials.
2. Prepare animal hazard warning signs which are to be posted in the animal housing area.
3. Notify employees in the area of use before each use of the chemical agent in animals (i.e., when first initiating use and when beginning again after a layoff, to assure staff are aware of the impending usage).
4. Administer chemical substances by injection or lavage when possible, rather than by diet. When administration by diet is used, a caging system under negative pressure or under laminar air flow directed through High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters will be used.
5. Use procedures to minimize contaminated aerosols from food, urine and feces, including:

1. Use HEPA filtered vacuum equipment for cleaning;
2. Moisten contaminated bedding before removal from cage.

6. Wear appropriate resistant gloves and fully buttoned lab coats or coveralls in the animal room and when working with exposed animals.
7. For large scale studies with animals administered chemicals of high chronic toxicity, special facilities with restricted access must be used.

F. Radioactive materials

1. The EH&S radiation safety group is responsible for all radioactive substances and places additional restrictions on chemical substances or agents referred to in this Plan that are also radioactive.

G. Recombinant DNA

1. The OSU Biosafety Committee may place additional restrictions on certain experiments involving recombinant DNA.
2. The University BioSafety Officer should be contacted regarding notification and approval procedures.

H. Infectious Agents

A. Medical Attention

1. Medical surveillance will be established when exposure monitoring determines a need or if it is likely that an exposure to a hazardous chemical has occurred.

X. Laboratory Accidents  

This section includes over-exposures to hazardous agents.

1. An exposure exceeding an OSHA PEL is an "over-exposure."
2. If an employee is seriously injured or incapacitated, call 911 to obtain emergency medical treatment. Never enter an enclosed space where a person appears unconscious without assistance from OSU security services or other emergency personnel.
3. Chemical splashes require immediate flushing of the affected areas. 15 minutes of flushing for significant splashes or any splash in the eye is recommended. Eye wash stations and lab deluge showers are intended for this purpose. There are exception s that should have been covered in training, if relevant.
4. For minor injuries, treat with the laboratory first aid kit or take the person to the hospital or their personal physician. Treatment should prevent exposure to chemicals if the injured person will continue to work in the lab prior to healing (e.g. , a cut on the finger will be covered by a bandage and the person will wear a plastic glove until the cut is fully healed).
5. Most injuries or over-exposure events require completion of an "Report of Accident" form (Reference 3) that can be obtained from your administrative office.

B. Accident or Over-exposure Investigations

1. Accident or over-exposure investigations (Reference 3) will be conducted by the immediate supervisor with assistance from other personnel as deemed necessary.

1. The Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Officer will inspect each laboratory annually.
2. The purpose of the inspection is to verify that this Plan and, if applicable, the Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plan are being followed and to identify needed changes in procedures. The form entitled "Laboratory Inspection Checklist and Report" (Reference 2) can be used for this inspection and could be used for a self-inspection by laboratory staff.
3. A written inspection report (the checklist with notations) will be provided to the Lab Supervisor/PI and maintained on file in the Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plan.
4. The Lab Supervisor/PI is responsible for taking corrective action for deficiencies when indicated in the written inspection report in a timely manner and prior to the next inspection.
5. Follow-up inspection will monitor correction in cases of serious deficiencies.

1. Accident or over-exposure incident reports must be sent to EH&S and must be retained for 5 years.
2. Records of exposure to personal or biological monitoring of hazardous chemicals and other harmful agents will be maintained in EH&S for the duration of employment of the exposed employee, plus 30 years.
3. Medical records for employees developed as a result of exposure to hazardous chemicals or harmful agents will be maintained for the duration of employment, plus 30 years, in EH&S.
4. Results of area air sampling will be maintained by EH&S for 5 years.
5. Records of employee training will be maintained for 5 years in the employees departmental personnel record and as instructed in Reference 24.
6. Records of laboratory inspections will be maintained for 5 years in EH&S.