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PURDUE CHEMICAL HYGIENE PLAN AWARENESS CERTIFICATION PURDUE UNIVERSITY POLICY STATEMENT It is the policy of Purdue University to take every reasonable precaution to provide a work environment that is free from recognized hazards for its employees in accordance with the General Duty clause of the OSHA Act (Public Law 91-596, Section 5(a)(l)). Purdue University is also required by the OSHA Laboratory Standard to ensure that the necessary work practices, procedures and policies are implemented to protect laboratory employees from all potentially hazardous chemicals in use in their work area. Purdue University has established the Chemical Management Committee with the responsibility to promote safe and proper chemical management at all Purdue University Campuses and related facilities. The Charter of the University Chemical Management Committee is reprinted in Appendix A of this document. PART I
The basis for this standard (29 CFR 1910.1450) is a determination by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), after careful review of the complete rule-making record, that laboratories typically differ from industrial operations in their use and handling of hazardous chemicals and that a different approach than that found in OSHA's substance specific health standards is warranted to protect workers. The final standard applies to all laboratories that use hazardous chemicals in accordance with the definitions of laboratory use and laboratory scale provided in the standard. Generally, where this standard applies it supersedes the provisions of all other standards in 29 CFR, part 1910, subpart Z, except in specific instances identified by this standard. For laboratories covered by this standard, the obligation to maintain employee exposures at or below the permissible exposure limits (PELs) specified in 29 CFR, part 1910, subpart Z is retained. However, the manner in which this obligation is achieved will be determined by each employer through the formulation and implementation of a Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP). The CHP must include the necessary work practices, procedures and policies to ensure that employees are protected from all potentially hazardous chemicals used or stored in their work area. Hazardous chemicals as defined by the final standard include not only chemicals regulated in 29 CFR part 1910, subpart Z, but also any chemical meeting the definition of hazardous chemical with respect to health hazards as defined in OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200(c). Among other requirements, the final standard provides for employee training and information, medical consultation and examination, hazard identification, respirator use and record keeping. To the extent possible, the standard allows a large measure of flexibility in compliance methods. Effective Date: May 1, 1990. Compliance Date: Employers shall have completed an appropriate Chemical Hygiene Plan and commenced carrying out its provisions by January 31, 1991.
EMPLOYEE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Employees have the right to be informed about the known physical and health hazards of the chemical substances in their work areas and to be properly trained to work safely with these substances. Employees have the right to file a complaint with IOSHA if they feel they are being exposed to unsafe or unhealthy work conditions. Employees cannot be discharged, suspended, or otherwise discriminated against by their employer because of filing a complaint, or exercising their rights under the law. Employees have the responsibility to attend training seminars on the Laboratory Standard and Chemical Hygiene Plan and to stay informed about the chemicals used in their work areas. They have the responsibility to use safe work practices and protective equipment required for safe performance of their job. Finally they have the responsibility to inform their supervisors of accidents and conditions or work practices they believe to be a hazard to their health or to the health of others.
The Laboratory Standard defines a hazardous chemical as any element, chemical compound, or mixture of elements and/or compounds which is a physical or health hazard. A chemical is a physical hazard if there is scientifically valid evidence that it is a flammable, a combustible liquid, a compressed gas, an explosive, an organic peroxide, an oxidizer, pyrophoric, unstable material (reactive), or water-reactive. A chemical is a health hazard if there is statistically significant evidence based on at least one study conducted in accordance with established scientific principles that acute or chronic health effects may occur in exposed employees. Included are:
See Appendix I, Glossary, for definitions of these terms. In most cases, the label will indicate if the chemical is hazardous. Look for key words like caution, hazardous, toxic, dangerous, corrosive, irritant, carcinogen, etc. Old containers of hazardous chemicals (before 1985) may not contain hazard warnings. If you are not sure a chemical you are using is hazardous, review the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or contact your supervisor, instructor, or the Department of Radiological and Environmental Management (REM). Designated areas must be established and posted for work with certain chemicals and mixtures (Appendix G), which include select carcinogens, reproductive toxins, and/or substances which have a high degree of acute toxicity. A designated area may be the entire laboratory, an area of a laboratory or a device such as a laboratory hood. Designated area stickers are available from REM.
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDSs) A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a document containing chemical hazard and safe handling information prepared in accordance with the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard. A sample MSDS is included at the end of Part I. Chemical manufacturers and distributors must provide a MSDS the first time a hazardous chemical/product is shipped to a facility. (Many manufacturers and distributors consider Purdue University the facility.) Only MSDSs received must be retained and made available to laboratory workers. However, you can request an MSDS for any laboratory chemical from the manufacturer or distributor. The Department of Radiological and Environmental Management (REM), Civil Engineering Building, Room B173, extension 49-46371, is a central repository for MSDSs. If you want to review an MSDS, contact your supervisor, instructor, or REM. If you need an MSDS for your work area file, contact the chemical supplier or REM.
The OSHA Laboratory Standard does not require chemical inventories; however, it is prudent to adopt this practice. An annual inventory can reduce the number of unknowns and the tendency to stockpile chemicals. The Department of Radiological and Environmental Management may require that a chemical inventory be prepared for a room, work unit, or department. PURDUE UNIVERSITY CHEMICAL HYGIENE PLAN This document serves as the written Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) for laboratories using chemicals at Purdue University. The CHP is a regular, continuing effort, not a standby or short term activity. Departments, divisions, sections, or other work units engaged in laboratory work whose hazards are not sufficiently covered in this written manual must customize it by adding their own sections as appropriate (e.g. standard operating procedures, emergency procedures, identifying activities requiring prior approval). See Appendix K.
The CHP applies to all personnel at Purdue University's West Lafayette Campus and Regional Campuses, University research farms and agricultural center, and related facilities and operations engaged in the laboratory use of hazardous chemicals. The CHP does not apply to:
Laboratory uses of chemicals not covered by the CHP are subject to the full provisions of the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard and the Purdue University Right-to-Know Program. Contact the Department of Radiological and Environmental Management (REM) for additional information.
The Purdue University Chemical Management Committee and the Chemical Hygiene Officer will develop the provisions of the CHP. The Head of the Department of Radiological and Environmental Management (REM) and his or her designee(s) will serve as Chemical Hygiene Officers. The Chemical Management Committee and REM can establish health and safety work rules for work areas or departments. The Chemical Management Committee and Chemical Hygiene Officer may assign areas of responsibility to departments, department safety and health committees, supervisors, and other individuals, as necessary, to implement and carry out the provisions of the CHP. Department heads are responsible for
For more efficient implementation of the CHP, department heads should select one or more individuals to serve as coordinators. Department safety and health committees can also assume these responsibilities. Laboratory supervisors and principal investigators are responsible for chemical hygiene in the laboratory. They must ensure that
In customizing the work area Chemical Hygiene Plan, it is only permissible for the supervisor to add and clarify the requirements, standard operating procedures, restrictions and necessary protocols, not to omit or relax any which are given in the manual. Laboratory workers are responsible for planning and conducting each operation in accordance with University chemical hygiene procedures and for developing good personal chemical hygiene habits. While students are not covered under the provisions of the OSHA Laboratory Standard, students should be made aware of chemical health and safety hazards in classroom situations, and should be provided with information and equipment to protect themselves from those hazards. Departments should provide student training at the beginning of each course in which hazardous chemicals are used. Specific safety instructions should be provided at the beginning of each class period.
For laboratory uses of hazardous substances, departments must ensure that laboratory employees' exposures to such substances do not exceed either the permissible exposure limits (PELs) specified in 29 CFR 1910, subpart Z, which are set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), or the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) published by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), whichever is lower.
EMPLOYEE INFORMATION AND TRAINING Departments must provide employees with information and training to ensure that they are apprised of the hazards of chemicals present in their work area and the steps they should take to protect themselves from these hazards. Training may take the form of individual instruction, group seminars, audio-visual presentations, handout material, or any combination of the above. However, the training must include the specific hazards associated with the chemicals in the work area when generic training is insufficient (e.g., extremely toxic materials, carcinogens, reproductive hazards) to address specific hazards. A variety of training aids are available from REM. Such information must be provided at the time of an employee's initial assignment to a work area where hazardous chemicals are present and prior to assignment involving new exposure situations. Employees should receive periodic refresher information and training. Note: Although the length of training is not specified in the OSHA regulations, effective information and training generally will take at least 2 hours for most laboratory scale operations. The frequency of periodic refresher information and training will vary with the hazard; however, the length of time between training sessions should not exceed five years. Information. Information provided by departments to employees must include:
Training. Training provided by departments to employees must include:
Documentation. Awareness of the University CHP should be documented using the form on page (i) of this document. Appendix M contains a generic form which may be used to document many different types of safety training. All CHP training records belonging to a department or other administrative unit should be held in a central administrative location (e.g., by Safety Committee Chair or in Department Head or Business Office), organized in any convenient manner provided the training record(s) for an individual, a research group, or department can be made immediately available during an IOSHA inspection. Basic Lab Safety Awareness Training from REM. REM offers an introductory Basic Lab Safety Awareness Training which is appropriate for laboratory chemical users of all experience levels. Regularly scheduled sessions are offered, and group meetings can be arranged at other times. The overall training consists of (1) self-paced web based training exercises which address the basics of lab safety, chemical labeling, chemical handling, personal protective equipment, safety information resources, laboratory housekeeping, safety equipment, waste management and disposal, and regulatory compliance, and (2) a 110-minute meeting which goes into detail on the certain topics as are relevant, such as hazards assessments, PPE, compressed gas cylinder safety, and use, care, testing, and maintenance of safety equipment. Departments are encouraged satisfy part of their training and information obligations by requiring their staff to sign up for this training. Contact the REM Industrial Hygiene section or use the web page sign-up form.
MEDICAL CONSULTATIONS AND EXAMINATIONS Note: Acute medical care will normally be provided by the Purdue University Student Health Center in accordance with existing University policies and procedures. Requests for special examinations and consultations should be arranged through REM. Departments must provide all employees who work with hazardous chemicals an opportunity to receive medical attention, including any follow-up examinations which the examining physician determines to be necessary, under the following circumstances:
All medical examinations and consultations must be performed by or under the direct supervision of a licensed physician and must be provided without cost to the employee, without loss of pay and at a reasonable time and place.
With respect to labels and Material Safety Data Sheets:
Note: REM has an extensive inventory of Material Safety Data Sheets. Material Safety Data Sheets are also available from the supplier. Material Safety Data Sheets for chemicals in use should be maintained in the laboratory.
CHEMICALS DEVELOPED IN THE LABORATORY The following requirements apply to chemical substances developed in the laboratory:
Note: Item 1 does not require the principal investigator to conduct toxicological testing. However, if a Material Safety Data Sheet or hazard information is available for the chemical, the information must be made available to employees.
Where the use of respirators is necessary to maintain exposure below permissible exposure limits (PELs) or the Threshold Value Limits (TLVs), whichever is lower, the department must provide, at no cost to the employee, the proper respiratory protective equipment. Respirators must be selected and used in accordance with the requirements of the Purdue University Respiratory Protection Program (contact REM for additional information).
The Chemical Management Committee and the Chemical Hygiene Officer will develop generic standard operating procedures relevant to safety and health considerations to be followed when laboratory work involves the use of hazardous chemicals. Departments, department safety and health committees, and supervisors will develop written standard operating procedures for work area specific operations. Standard operating procedures must be provided to affected employees. For work involving extremely toxic chemicals, select carcinogens, and reproductive toxins, standard operating procedures must include the following provisions where appropriate:
Whenever employee exposures exceed the action level (or in the absence of an action level, the lower of the PEL or TLV), the department must implement control measures to reduce employee exposure to hazardous chemicals including engineering controls, the use of personal protective equipment and hygiene practices. Exposures to extremely toxic materials, select carcinogens, and reproductive toxins must be maintained as low as reasonably achievable.
Users of hazardous chemicals are responsible for determining that fume hoods and other protective equipment are adjusted and functioning properly prior to initiating an activity requiring their use. All fume hood installations include a continuous monitoring device to allow users to monitor hood performance. Physical Facilities will install a continuous monitoring device on existing fume hoods if needed. REM will survey chemical fume hoods annually and arrange for repairs when necessary. Call REM at the number posted on your hood if you have questions or wish to report a problem.
The Laboratory Supervisor will define which if any activities, operations, or procedures constitute circumstances under which prior approval must be obtained by employees before implementation. Note: OSHA requires each employer to identify those activities which the employer believes to be of a sufficiently hazardous nature to warrant prior "employer approval" before implementation. The Chemical Hygiene Plan identifies activities which involve extremely toxic chemicals, select carcinogens and reproductive hazards, and those activities with a high potential for personal injury and property damage. Supervisors will need to determine if any other existing activities are subject to the requirements of this section. Except for activities identified by the Chemical Management Committee as requiring Committee approval, "employer approval" will occur at the local level (e.g., Supervisor, Department Head, Department Safety and Health Committee). The Chemical Hygiene Officer is available for assistance.
The Chemical Hygiene Plan must be readily available to employees and employee representatives. Note : The Chemical Hygiene Plan is available as html, pdf, Word, and rtf:
REM is responsible for preparing a written annual review of the Chemical Hygiene Plan. The review process will utilize such resources as results of internal and external audits, accident reports, notices of violation, customer satisfaction surveys, and other information and tracking reports which may become available. The focus of the annual review is to evaluate program effectiveness and to identify strengths and weaknesses which may be updated to improve the program. The written annual review will be made available to the Chemical Management Committee for inclusion in the annual report of that Committee. PART II Know the physical and health hazards associated with the chemical(s) you are using. Consider the physical state (gas, liquid, or solid) of the material(s). Consider the process in which you are using the chemical(s), the facilities you have for storage of the materials, and the facilities and equipment you may need to handle an emergency. Know the procedures necessary for safe disposal of the chemicals. Questions you should consider:
Once you evaluate the potential hazards associated with the chemical(s) and the process, you can design your process and work procedures to minimize or eliminate the hazards. The following sections provide work procedures and engineering controls which can be used to minimize or eliminate hazards in the laboratory. Additional information on chemical hazards and health hazard control measures can be found in the reference list in Appendix O. If you have any questions about any information in these sections, please contact REM at 49-46371. Know the hazards associated with the materials you are using. Carefully read the label before using a chemical. Review the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for any special handling information. In some cases it may be necessary to do additional research. Information provided in this booklet and references listed in Appendix O can help. Contact REM (49-46371) for assistance with the evaluation of hazards associated with a specific material. Be prepared for hazardous material emergencies and know what action to take in the event of an emergency. Be certain that necessary supplies and equipment are available for handling small spills of hazardous materials. Know the location of safety equipment: emergency shower, eye wash, fire extinguisher, fire alarm pull station. Do not work alone in the laboratory if you are working with hazardous materials. Limit access to areas where chemicals are used or stored by posting signs and/or locking doors when areas are unattended. Do not permit children in the laboratory. Purchase the minimum amount of hazardous materials necessary to accomplish your work and dispense only the minimum amount necessary for immediate use. Use hazardous chemicals only as directed and for their intended purpose. Never smell or taste a hazardous chemical. Vent apparatus which may discharge toxic chemicals (vacuum pumps, distillation columns, etc.) into local exhaust devices. Inspect gloves and all other personal protective equipment before use. On equipment such as hoods and biosafety cabinets, be familiar with the certification date or "to be tested again" date given on the test sticker. perchloric acid must be used only in specially-designed perchloric acid fume hoods that have built-in wash down systems to remove shock-sensitive deposits. Before purchasing this acid, laboratory supervisors must arrange for use of an approved perchloric acid hood. Do not allow release of toxic substances in cold rooms and warm rooms, since these have contained recirculated atmospheres. Do not store cryogens or dry ice in non-ventilated rooms such as cold rooms. Inspect equipment or apparatus for damage before adding a hazardous chemical or beginning a hazardous procedure. Do not use damaged equipment. Glass vacuum lines, pressure lines, and Dewar flasks should be taped or caged. Ensure that ventilation is adequate for the materials used. Refer to the MSDS for information on ventilation requirements, or contact REM. See the "Engineering Controls" section of this booklet. Avoid direct contact with any chemical. Keep chemicals off hands, face and clothing, including shoes. Avoid practical jokes or other behavior which might confuse, startle or distract another worker. Confine long hair and loose clothing. Wear shoes at all times in the laboratory, but do not wear sandals or perforated shoes. Keep the work area clean and uncluttered with chemicals and equipment. Clean up the work area on completion of an operation or at the end of each work day. Use required personal protective equipment. See the "Personal Protective Equipment" section of this booklet. Remove laboratory coats immediately on significant contamination. Label all secondary containers with appropriate hazard information. Make sure that labels on primary and secondary containers do not become damaged. Replace them when necessary. Use good hygiene. Keep your hands and face clean. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling any chemical. Smoking, drinking, eating, and the application of cosmetics is forbidden in areas where hazardous chemicals are in use. Do not store food or drink for human consumption, or utensils or equipment for preparing food or drink, in the same cabinet, drawer, refrigerator or freezer with chemicals or equipment used with chemicals. Never use mouth suction to fill a pipette. Electrically ground and bond containers using approved methods before transferring or dispensing a flammable liquid from a large container. Promptly clean up spills, using appropriate protective apparel, equipment and procedures. See the "Emergency Response" section of the booklet. Ensure that adequate storage facilities and containers are provided for hazardous materials. See the "Chemical Storage" section of this booklet. Ensure that hazardous materials are properly segregated into compatible categories. See the "Chemical Storage" section of this booklet. For unattended operations, leave lights on, place an appropriate sign on the door, and provide for containment of toxic substances in the event of a utility service failure (e.g., loss of cooling water). Plans to conduct unattended operations should be reviewed with the supervisor, or principal investigator. For specific information regarding chemical handling, contact your supervisor, instructor, or REM.
Exposure to hazardous materials should be controlled to the greatest extent feasible by use of engineering controls. For assistance in determining engineering controls necessary for your work situation, contact REM. Engineering controls to reduce or eliminate exposures to hazardous chemicals include:
Ventilation Controls. To determine ventilation requirements, check the MSDS. Expressions on an MSDS such as those listed below indicate a need for ventilation:
Ventilation recommendations must be adapted to the worksite and the specific process. For assistance in determining specific ventilation requirements for your work situation, contact REM. Proper Use of Ventilation Systems. As a rule of thumb, use a hood or other local ventilation device when working with any volatile substance. Once a ventilation system is installed in a work area, it must be used properly to be effective. The objective of a local exhaust ventilation system is to draw hazardous materials in the air away from the breathing zone of the employee. The system must be checked prior to each use to determine that it is operating. If the system is not working, it should be posted out of order and the Building Deputy should be contacted to have the system repaired. Do not work with hazardous materials if the required ventilation system is not working. Ventilation systems must be properly configured. Be sure you know how to properly use the system in your area for the work you are doing. For use of laboratory fume hoods, the following guidelines should be followed:
If there are any questions concerning the adequacy of a fume hood or the procedures for safe use of a fume hood, contact REM.
Administrative controls are procedural measures which can be taken to reduce or eliminate hazards associated with the use of hazardous materials. Administrative controls include the following:
Restricted Access Areas. Facilities placarded with any of the following or similar warning signs are to be regarded as restricted access areas:
Such areas and are not to be entered except by authorized users of the facility and those having permission from authorized users. Children are never permitted in restricted access areas. (See below for considerations relating to Building Services and other support staff.) All areas which fit the definition of "laboratory use of hazardous chemicals" (see Glossary, Appendix I), regardless of whether they are or contain restricted access areas, must be posted, on the outside of the primary egress door(s), with:
A template (non-mandatory) which may be used for displaying this and other important safety information is available as Appendix N. Custodians are permitted to enter restricted areas to perform routine tasks; however, custodians should not touch containers of chemicals (including waste) or other research equipment or materials. Other support personnel, such as University Police and Safety and Security personnel, are permitted to enter restricted areas provided the work to be performed does not involve disturbing a use area within the facility, equipment, or materials. Examples include:
Support personnel should contact an authorized user of the facility or REM before performing work which may involve any of the above items. Immediately notify the University Police (See inside cover) of any emergency or unusual conditions such as:
For additional information concerning restricted access areas, contact your supervisor, instructor or REM.
General Considerations. Personal protective devices may be needed to supplement available engineering controls, but are never used as a substitute for engineering controls except as a temporary measure while such controls are being instituted or for short term jobs where the implementation of engineering controls is not feasible. The MSDS will provide some information on the personal protective equipment recommended for use with the chemical. The MSDS addresses "worst case" conditions; therefore, all the equipment described may not be necessary for a specific job. In addition, the MSDS may not provide sufficient information concerning a specific respirator or type of glove appropriate for the chemical. Hazards Assessments. The supervisor is responsible for determining which personal protective devices are required for each task performed by employees. This is accomplished by performing a hazards assessment, documenting it on a form such as is shown in Appendix L, and posting the completed hazards assessment certification in the work area. There is no harm in being over protected, but the minimal requirements are to be spelled out by the hazards assessments. Departments must provide required personal protective equipment to employees, and supervisors must ensure that employees are trained in all necessary aspects of its proper use and care. This training must be documented. Failure to prescribe, provide, and properly use required personal protective equipment can result in personal injury and disciplinary action. Protection Against Inhalation Hazards. When ventilation is not adequate to provide protection against an inhalation hazard, respiratory protective equipment may be necessary. There is a variety of respiratory protective equipment available for use, but no one device will provide protection against all possible hazards. Respirator selection is based on the chemical and process hazard, and the protection factors required. Respirators are not to be used except in conjunction with a comprehensive respiratory protection program. Such a program includes a review of the process to ensure that proper equipment is selected for the job; training of all respiratory protective equipment users concerning the methods for proper use and care of such equipment; fitting of respirator users when required; and medical surveillance of respirator users when required. Types of respiratory protective equipment include:
If your work requires the use of a respirator or you suspect your work requires the use of a respirator, you should contact your supervisor. He/she will contact REM for an evaluation of the exposure and will schedule a medical physical examination to determine that you are physically fit to wear respiratory protection, and respirator fit-testing and training. Do not use respiratory protective equipment until you have received proper training. If you are currently using a respirator and you have not received training in its use and care, contact REM immediately. In some cases, respiratory protective equipment may be kept on-hand for an emergency. In this situation, all potential users must receive training in its use. In addition, the equipment must be inspected on a monthly basis and this inspection must be documented. If you have respiratory protective equipment on-hand for use in an emergency and you have not received training in its use and care, contact REM immediately. For more information on the Purdue University Respiratory Protection Program, contact REM. Protection of Skin and Body. Skin and body protection involves the use of protective clothing to protect various parts of the body. Eye and face injuries are prevented by the use of the following:
Splash-proof goggles provide superior protection against dust, flying objects, and splash, spray and mist hazards. They should be the first choice for primary eye protection. Cover all unprotected skin surfaces. Do not wear open-toe shoes, sandals, shorts, etc. in a chemical laboratory. Even when there is minimal danger of skin contact with a hazardous substance, lab coats, coveralls, aprons, or protective suits should be used. General categories of contaminants include:
Garments contaminated with hazardous materials should not be taken home by staff for laundering. They should be laundered on-site or by a commercial laundry which has been apprised of potential hazards. For heavily contaminated work, special attention must be given to sealing all openings in the clothing. Tape can be utilized for this purpose. Caps should be worn to protect hair from contamination. Exposures to strong acids and acid gases, organic chemicals and strong oxidizing agents, carcinogens, and mutagens require the use of protective equipment that prevents skin contamination. Impervious protective equipment must be utilized. Examples include:
Protective garments are not equally effective for every hazardous chemical. Some chemicals will "break through" the garment in a very short time; therefore, garment selection is based on the specific chemical utilized. Examples are provided in Appendix H.
CONTAMINATED CLOTHING AND PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Where splash or spill of hazardous chemicals on clothing or protective equipment occurs, the clothing/equipment should be removed and placed in a closed container which prevents dispersion of the hazardous chemical. The clothing/equipment should be disposed of, cleaned, or laundered as appropriate. Employees should not take contaminated clothing/equipment home for cleaning or laundering. Persons or companies cleaning or laundering contaminated clothing or equipment must be informed of the potentially harmful effects of exposure to the chemical contaminant and must be advised of the measures necessary to protect themselves.
MODEL WRITTEN STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES The Laboratory Standard defines a hazardous chemical as any element, chemical compound, or mixture of elements and/or compounds which is a physical hazard or a health hazard. The standard also requires the employer to develop the circumstances under which a particular laboratory operation, procedures or activity shall require prior approval from the employer before implementation. The Laboratory Supervisor will define which if any activities, operations, or procedures constitute circumstances under which prior approval must be obtained by employees before implementation. Except for activities identified by the Chemical Management Committee as requiring Committee approval, employer approval will occur at the local level (e.g., Supervisor, Department Head, Department Safety and Health Committee). The Chemical Hygiene Officer is available for assistance. The special precautions described in the following sections are to be used in conjunction with the information detailed in the "General Safety Guidelines." The special precautions sections and any other relevant instructions in this Chemical Hygiene Plan Manual may be used as part of the written standard operating procedures required by the OSHA Laboratory Standard. Project-specific and/or area-specific standard operating procedures must be written and attached at Appendix K by departments, work units, principal investigators, or project directors for hazardous chemical and hazardous operations work not covered by the following special precautions sections.
"Physical hazard" refers to a chemical for which there is evidence that it is a combustible liquid, a compressed gas, explosive, flammable, an organic peroxide, an oxidizer, pyrophoric, unstable (reactive) or water-reactive. Materials which present a physical hazard can be safely used if the specific hazard(s) are understood, and measures are taken to address the hazards. If appropriate precautions are not taken, a fire, an explosion, unwanted corrosion, personal injury, or property damage could occur. Certain chemicals cannot be safely mixed or stored with other chemicals because a severe reaction can take place or an extremely toxic reaction product can result. See Appendix B for a table of incompatible chemicals. An eyewash and safety shower must be readily accessible to areas where injurious materials are used and stored. In the event of skin or eye contact with an injurious material, immediately flush the area of contact with cool water for 15 minutes. Remove all affected clothing. Get medical help. Additional information concerning eyewash and safety shower requirements is available from REM. MODEL WRITTEN SOP -- The OSHA Laboratory Standard explicitly requires "standard operating procedures relevant to safety and health considerations to be followed when laboratory work involves the use of hazardous chemicals." If the model SOPs in this "Special Precautions" section do not fulfill this requirement, you must amend and append in some manner so as to comply. Special Precautions for Working with Flammables and Combustibles: Flammable/combustible materials are materials which under standard conditions can generate sufficient vapor to cause a fire in the presence of an ignition source. Flammable materials can generate sufficient vapors at temperatures below 100°F (38°C); combustibles, at temperatures at or above 100°F (38°C) and below 140°F (60°C). The vapors of these materials are invisible, and a vapor trail to an ignition source away from the immediate area can result in a flashback. Flammables are more hazardous at elevated temperatures due to more rapid vaporization. In addition, flammable and combustible materials react with oxidizers which can result in a fire. Observe the following special precautions.
MODEL WRITTEN SOP -- The OSHA Laboratory Standard explicitly requires "standard operating procedures relevant to safety and health considerations to be followed when laboratory work involves the use of hazardous chemicals." If the model SOPs in this "Special Precautions" section do not fulfill this requirement, you must amend and append in some manner so as to comply. Special Precautions for Working with Corrosives: Corrosives are materials which can react with the skin causing burns similar to thermal burns, and/or which can react with metal causing deterioration of the metal surface. Acids and bases are corrosives. Observe the following special precautions.
MODEL WRITTEN SOP -- The OSHA Laboratory Standard explicitly requires "standard operating procedures relevant to safety and health considerations to be followed when laboratory work involves the use of hazardous chemicals." If the model SOPs in this "Special Precautions" section do not fulfill this requirement, you must amend and append in some manner so as to comply. Special Precautions for Working with Oxidizers: Oxidizers are materials which readily yield oxygen or another oxidizing gas, or that readily react to promote or initiate combustion of flammable/combustible materials. Oxidation reactions are a frequent cause of chemical accidents. Observe these precautions to reduce risk when storing or handling oxidizers.
MODEL WRITTEN SOP -- The OSHA Laboratory Standard explicitly requires "standard operating procedures relevant to safety and health considerations to be followed when laboratory work involves the use of hazardous chemicals." If the model SOPs in this "Special Precautions" section do not fulfill this requirement, you must amend and append in some manner so as to comply. Special Precautions for Working with Water-Reactive Materials: Materials which react with water to produce a flammable or toxic gas, or other hazardous condition are said to be water-reactive. Fire and explosion are serious concerns when working with these materials. Special precautions for safe handling of water-reactive materials will depend on the specific material, and the conditions of use and storage. Contact REM for information on the safe use of a specific material. Examples of water-reactives include alkali and alkaline earth metals (e.g. Li, Na, K, Ca, Mg), metal hydrides, some metal and nonmetal chlorides (e.g. SiCl4, PCl3, AlCl3), calcium carbide, acid halides and acid anhydrides. MODEL WRITTEN SOP -- The OSHA Laboratory Standard explicitly requires "standard operating procedures relevant to safety and health considerations to be followed when laboratory work involves the use of hazardous chemicals". If the model SOPs in this "Special Precautions" section do not fulfill this requirement, you must amend and append in some manner so as to comply. Special Precautions for Working with Pyrophoric Materials: Pyrophoric materials ignite spontaneously upon contact with air. The flame may or may not be visible. Examples include butyllithium, silane, and yellow phosphorous. Store and use all pyrophorics in an inert atmosphere. MODEL WRITTEN SOP -- The OSHA Laboratory Standard explicitly requires "standard operating procedures relevant to safety and health considerations to be followed when laboratory work involves the use of hazardous chemicals." If the model SOPs in this "Special Precautions" section do not fulfill this requirement, you must amend and append in some manner so as to comply. Special Precautions for Working with Peroxidizables: Peroxidizables are substances or mixtures which react with oxygen to form peroxides. Some peroxides can explode with impact, heat, or friction such as that caused by removing a lid. Peroxides form inside the containers of some materials even if they have not been opened. Examples include ethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, liquid paraffins (alkanes), and olefins (alkenes). See Appendix C for additional materials which may form peroxides. Precautions are given below.
MODEL WRITTEN SOP -- The OSHA Laboratory Standard explicitly requires "standard operating procedures relevant to safety and health considerations to be followed when laboratory work involves the use of hazardous chemicals." If the model SOPs in this "Special Precautions" section do not fulfill this requirement, you must amend and append in some manner so as to comply. Special Precautions for Working with Light-Sensitive Materials: Light-sensitive materials are unstable with respect to light energy. They tend to degrade in the presence of light, forming new compounds which can be hazardous, or resulting in conditions such as pressure build-up inside a container which may be hazardous. Observe the following precautions.
Shock-Sensitive or Explosive Materials MODEL WRITTEN SOP -- The OSHA Laboratory Standard explicitly requires "standard operating procedures relevant to safety and health considerations to be followed when laboratory work involves the use of hazardous chemicals." If the model SOPs in this "Special Precautions" section do not fulfill this requirement, you must amend and append in some manner so as to comply. Special Precautions for Working with Shock-Sensitive or Explosive Materials: Shock-sensitive/explosive materials are substances or mixtures which can spontaneously release large amounts of energy under normal conditions, or when struck, vibrated, or otherwise agitated. Some materials become increasingly shock-sensitive with age and/or loss of moisture. The inadvertent formation of shock-sensitive/explosive materials such as peroxides, perchlorates, picrates and azides is of great concern in the laboratory. A list of some shock-sensitive materials appears in Appendix D.
MODEL WRITTEN SOP -- The OSHA Laboratory Standard explicitly requires "standard operating procedures relevant to safety and health considerations to be followed when laboratory work involves the use of hazardous chemicals." If the model SOPs in this "Special Precautions" section do not fulfill this requirement, you must amend and append in some manner so as to comply. Special Precautions for Working with Compressed Gases: Special systems are needed for handling materials under pressure. Toxic and corrosive gases present special problems in designing engineering controls. The physical and health hazards of any material are typically compounded by the pressure hazard. Carefully observe special precautions.
MODEL WRITTEN SOP -- The OSHA Laboratory Standard explicitly requires "standard operating procedures relevant to safety and health considerations to be followed when laboratory work involves the use of hazardous chemicals." If the model SOPs in this "Special Precautions" section do not fulfill this requirement, you must amend and append in some manner so as to comply. Special Precautions for Working with Cryogens: Some of the hazards associated with cryogens (fluids used to maintain extremely low temperatures) are fire, pressure, embritterment of materials, and skin or eye burns upon contact with the liquid. Cryogens can condense nearly pure liquid oxygen from the air, creating a severe fire risk. A pressure hazard exists because of the large expansion ratio from liquid to gas, causing pressure build up in containers. Many materials become brittle at extreme low temperatures. Brief contact with materials at extreme low temperatures can cause burns similar to thermal burns. Carefully observe all special precautions.
"Health hazard" refers to chemicals for which there is statistically significant evidence based on at least one study conducted in accordance with established scientific principles that acute or chronic health effects may occur in exposed employees. This term includes chemicals which are carcinogens, toxic or highly toxic agents, reproductive toxins, irritants, corrosives, sensitizers, hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, agents which act on the hematopoietic system, and agents which damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes. For a detailed discussion of industrial toxicology and information on health hazards associated with specific chemicals, refer to Appendix E. For many toxic materials, hygienic standards have been established and action must be taken to prevent personnel from receiving exposures in excess of these standards. These standards may be referred to as threshold limit values (TLVs) or permissible exposure limits (PELs). For specific information on the terms TLV or PEL, refer to the glossary in Appendix I. The MSDS will list the hygienic standard for the hazardous chemical or each component of a mixture. In addition, REM has a complete listing of published TLVs and PELs and other works concerning the subject of industrial toxicology. If you would like to conduct a more thorough review of a particular compound, or if you would like an evaluation of the exposure to a specific material used in your work area, contact REM. Protection from health hazards is provided by ensuring that exposure to such hazards is minimized or eliminated. To minimize the exposure, it is necessary to determine the route by which the exposure may occur, i.e. inhalation, skin contact, puncture, ingestion, or a combination of exposure routes. MODEL WRITTEN SOP -- The OSHA Laboratory Standard explicitly requires "standard operating procedures relevant to safety and health considerations to be followed when laboratory work involves the use of hazardous chemicals." If the model SOPs in this "Special Precautions" section do not fulfill this requirement, you must amend and append in some manner so as to comply. Special Precautions for Working with Allergens: The term allergens describes a wide variety of substances that can produce skin and lung hypersensitivity. Examples include diazomethane, chromium, nickel bichromates, formaldehyde, isocyanates, and certain phenols. Wear suitable gloves to prevent hand contact with allergens or substances of unknown allergenic activity. Conduct aerosol producing procedures in a fume hood. Embryotoxins and Reproductive Toxins MODEL WRITTEN SOP -- The OSHA Laboratory Standard explicitly requires "standard operating procedures relevant to safety and health considerations to be followed when laboratory work involves the use of hazardous chemicals." If the model SOPs in this "Special Precautions" section do not fulfill this requirement, you must amend and append in some manner so as to comply. Special Precautions for Working with Embryotoxins and Reproductive Toxins: Substances that act during pregnancy to cause adverse effects on the fetus are referred to as embryotoxins. These effects include embryolethality (death of the fertilized egg, the embryo, or the fetus), malformation (teratologic effects), retard growth, and postnatal functional deficits. Examples include organo-mercurials, lead compounds, and formamide. Because the period of greatest susceptibility to embryotoxins is the first 8-12 weeks of pregnancy, which includes a period when a woman may not know she is pregnant, women of child-bearing potential should take care to avoid skin contact with all chemicals. The term "reproductive toxins" is used to describe substances which cause harmful effects on the male or female reproductive system or the developing embryo and fetus. These effects include but are not limited to menstrual irregularity, lowered fertility, testicular atrophy, and birth defects.
Chemicals of Moderate Chronic or High Acute Toxicity MODEL WRITTEN SOP -- The OSHA Laboratory Standard explicitly requires "standard operating procedures relevant to safety and health considerations to be followed when laboratory work involves the use of hazardous chemicals." If the model SOPs in this "Special Precautions" section do not fulfill this requirement, you must amend and append in some manner so as to comply. Special Precautions for Working with Chemicals of Moderate Chronic or High Acute Toxicity: See Appendix E of this manual for definition and discussion of the meanings of chronic and acute toxicity. Examples of chemicals of moderate chronic toxicity or high acute toxicity include diisopropylfluorophosphate, hydrofluoric acid, and hydrogen cyanide.
Chemicals of High Chronic Toxicity MODEL WRITTEN SOP -- The OSHA Laboratory Standard explicitly requires "standard operating procedures relevant to safety and health considerations to be followed when laboratory work involves the use of hazardous chemicals." If the model SOPs in this "Special Precautions" section do not fulfill this requirement, you must amend and append in some manner so as to comply. Special Precautions for Working with Chemicals of High Chronic Toxicity: See Appendix E of this manual for definition and discussion of the meanings of chronic and acute toxicity. Examples of chemicals exhibiting high chronic toxicity include dimethylmercury, nickel carbonyl, benzo-a-pyrene, N-nitrosodiethylamine, and other human carcinogens or substances with high carcinogenic potency in animals.
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