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APPENDIX A: Chemical Hygiene Plan
Summary
Introduction (top)
Each department has a Chemical
Hygiene Plan that provides guidelines
for prudent work practices and procedures for the laboratory use of
chemicals, with the goal of protecting laboratory workers from the potential
health hazards of the chemicals they encounter in the workplace. The
Chemical Hygiene Plan was written in response to the federal Occupational
Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Occupational Exposure
to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories (the OSHA Lab Standard).
The following is a brief summary of the Chemical
Hygiene Plan, citing
the Laboratory Standard requirements and where specific information
may be found. Each science and engineering department has developed
its own Chemical Hygiene Plan, based on a model prepared by Environmental
Health and Safety, and has appointed a Chemical Hygiene Officer
to oversee
implementation of the plan. Copies of the departmental Chemical Hygiene
Plans along with the names of all Chemical Hygiene Officers are
available
to every laboratory at all times.
The Laboratory Safety Manual is a supplemental web-based document
that provides extensive information on a wide variety of laboratory
issues.
Chemical and Hazard Identification (top)
Departments describe their policies on Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDS), as well as the location and/or content of any other chemical
safety resources maintained by the department.
Standard Operating Procedures (top)
The Laboratory Safety Manual on the EHS web page (www.princeton.edu/~ehs/labmanual)
provides general principles for working safely with hazardous chemicals.
Principal investigators, laboratory managers and laboratory workers
are encouraged to develop and implement more detailed guidelines for
specific operations and chemicals in their laboratories.
Controlling Chemical Exposure (top)
Exposure Monitoring
Exposure monitoring is conducted by EHS upon request if there is reason
to believe that exposure levels for a particular substance may routinely
exceed either the action
level or the permissible exposure limit set forth by OSHA. Individuals
may contact EHS directly at 8-5294 or notify the departmental Chemical
Hygiene Officer.
Results of the monitoring will be made available by EHS to the individual(s)
monitored, their supervisors, and the Chemical Hygiene Officer within
15 working days of the receipt of analytical results. Based on the monitoring
results, periodic monitoring may be scheduled at the discretion of EHS,
in accordance with applicable federal, state and local regulations.
Control Measures (top)
Engineering controls are the primary means of control for exposure
to hazardous chemicals. Local ventilation, including fume
hoods, ducted biosafety cabinets, glove boxes, vented storage cabinets,
and vented canopies are the most common types of engineering controls.
Upon request, EHS provides assistance in determining the appropriate
type of engineering controls for specific operations.
Protective equipment, including gloves, face
shields, safety glasses, safety goggles, lab coats and aprons, are used
when engineering controls are not sufficient to adequately control exposure.
Specifically, this equipment is used to prevent exposure to the skin
or eyes. Personal protective equipment is carefully selected to ensure
that it is compatible with the chemicals used. Information about selection
of appropriate protective equipment is available in the Laboratory Safety
Manual at http://www.princeton.edu/ehs/labmanual.
When feasible engineering controls are not adequate to reduce inhalation
exposure to acceptable levels, a respirator may be used to minimize
exposure to airborne contaminants. Use of a respirator is subject to
approval by EHS and must be in accordance with the University Respiratory
Protection Policy. See Section C4 of the Princeton University Health
and Safety Guide for more information.
It may be necessary to supplement engineering controls and protective
equipment with administrative controls, such as restricting access to
an area, or restricting use of a chemical to a limited number of people
for a limited time.
Fume Hood Performance Evaluation
(top)
The Laboratory Safety Manual provides extensive details about the Fume
Hood Program, including how a fume hood works, good work practices,
common misuses and limitations, hood performance indices and evaluation
and maintenance.
Information and Training (top)
All laboratory workers must receive laboratory safety training when
they are first assigned to a work area where hazardous chemicals are
present and before assignments involving new exposure situations. General
laboratory safety training is provided by EHS. The department Chemical
Hygiene Plan provides details on more specific training for particular
materials or operations in a particular work area.
Prior Approval for Laboratory Procedures
(top)
Individuals planning to use Particularly Hazardous Substances must
complete a Particularly Hazardous Substance Use Approval Form
and have it approved by the Principal Investigator or supervisor and
the departmental Chemical Hygiene Officer prior to their initial use
of the substance.
Responsibility for determining whether a chemical is a Particularly
Hazardous Substance rests jointly with the supervisor and the individual
planning to use the substance. See the Chemical Hygiene Plan for details.
Medical Examinations and Consultations (top)
The Chemical Hygiene Plan describes the Medical Consultation Policy,
procedures for reporting incidents and the procedure for obtaining a
medical consultation.
Particularly Hazardous Substances
(top)
Work with particularly hazardous substances, such as carcinogens, reproductive
toxins and highly toxic agents, may require special procedures and handling.
The Particularly Hazardous Substances section of the Chemical
Hygiene Plan defines such substances and outlines procedures to follow
in order to work with these substances safely.
Laboratory Inspections and Audits (top)
The Chemical Hygiene Plan describes roles, responsibilities and schedules
for inspecting laboratory facilities and systems. In addition, EHS conducts
limited laboratory inspections annually.
 Section
9 Appendix
B
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