CHEMICAL
HYGIENE PLANS
The purpose of a Chemical Hygiene Plan is to reduce
the likelihood of injury or illness to employees by implementing specific
procedures to be followed for the safe storage, handling, use, and disposal of
chemicals in laboratories.
The primary objective of a Chemical Hygiene Plan is to ensure that all individuals at risk of exposure to laboratory chemicals are adequately informed and trained in the following:
1. The proper procedures required for the safe storage, handling, use, and disposal of
chemicals in the laboratory.
2. The risks involved in
working with chemicals in the laboratory.
3. The procedures to follow to
minimize their exposure to laboratory chemicals.
4. Emergency procedures to
follow in the event of a spill or release of chemicals.
5. Emergency procedures to
follow in the event of personal contact with chemicals.
The Occupational safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Standards are incorporated into the Florida Department of Education's State Requirements for Educational
Facilities (SREF). The OSHA Standard,
Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories, 29 CFR
1910.1450 requires every public and private laboratory to develop and implement
a Chemical Hygiene Plan.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
regulations are enforced in Florida by the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection (FDEP). The storage, handling, and disposal of chemical wastes are
strictly controlled by environmental regulations. All laboratories produce
chemical wastes, which must be managed properly to protect the safety and
health of laboratory workers and the environment. In addition, violation of
these regulations can result in large fines and possible imprisonment. For
example, the fine for open containers of hazardous chemical waste could easily
be $10,000. This would include small as well as large containers. A Chemical
Hygiene Plan will also contribute to reducing this environmental liability for
the College by instituting established safe practices for the storage,
handling, use, and disposal of chemicals.
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Benefits of
a Chemical Hygiene Plan
A
Chemical Hygiene Plan improves the safe storage, handling, use and disposal of
chemicals in our laboratories. It will also improve the overall laboratory
safety and health for employees and students.
Costs
can be reduced through safer and more efficient management of chemicals by the
following:
1. Maintaining a current chemical inventory to
avoid duplicate purchases of chemicals.
2.
Eliminating
accumulation of outdated chemicals that may become unstable and dangerous.
3.
Avoiding bulk
quantity purchasing of chemicals. Reducing the quantity of chemicals also
reduces the exposure to fire and environmental hazards.
4.
Eliminating
outdated chemicals, which are costly to dispose of as hazardous waste.
5.
Practicing waste
minimization will reduce the costs for hazardous waste disposal.
Learning
to use chemicals safely in laboratories will help students to develop safe
chemical handling habits that are required in both private and public sector
workplaces that are governed by OSHA Standards. These same chemical safety
habits will also serve them well in their personal lives.
Liability
exposure for faculty, staff and the College will be reduced and the College
will be in compliance with the OSHA regulations for laboratory safety and
health and EPA environmental regulations.
Environmental,
safety, and health are now a priority in SACS accreditation reviews and can be
expected in future audits by the State.
Safety/Environmental
Services developed a Laboratory Safety
Procedures & Chemical Hygiene Planning Guide to assist academic
programs with laboratories in developing their Chemical Hygiene Plans. This
Guide was distributed to instructors-in charge at Crime Scene Technology, AC
and Medical Laboratory Technology, HC and Natural Science program directors at
CL, SP/G and TS Campuses on
Safety/Environmental
Services invited science and health faculty, program directors and science
technicians to the Laboratory Safety Workshop conducted at USF in Feb 1999.
Safety/Environmental Services partnered with the Florida Department of
Education to provide a Laboratory Safety Workshop at the
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Guidance and Assistance Provided (contd.)
Safety/Environmental
Services distributes laboratory safety bulletins and information periodically
to program directors, faculty, and science technicians, e.g., - Laboratory Fume Hood Safety Guide, Common Errors to Avoid in Using Your
Biological Safety Cabinet, Mercury – Laboratory Spills/Releases, Environmental
Health and Safety Requirements for Chemistry/Biology Labs.
Program
directors, faculty and staff are in the best position to influence laboratory
safety by developing and following a Chemical Hygiene Plan and practicing and
reinforcing safe laboratory practices.
Safety/Environmental Services 8/06