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