Chemical Hygiene Plan

Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Labs

Application of Chemical Hygiene Plan

1. Chemical Hygiene Plan applies to all employers whose laboratories use hazardous chemicals

2. Laboratory is defined as a work place where hazardous chemicals are used on a non-production basis

Chemical Hygiene Plan Objectives

1. Be capable of protecting employees from health hazards associated with

hazardous chemicals in the laboratory 2. Be capable of keeping the exposure of

chemicals below the Action Level (AL) or Permissible Exposure Level (PEL)

Chemical Hygiene Plan Objectives

3. Ensure that all laboratory employees understand their rights and responsibilities under the chemical hygiene plan

4. Provide a resource for employees with any questions about chemical safety (An impartial third party reference)

General Laboratory Rules

1. Awareness

2. Maintain Adequate Personal Hygiene Practices

3. No Food and Smoking Allowed

Protective Clothing and Equipment

1. Body Protective Clothing (Minimize exposed skin surfaces)

A. Cleaning Frequency (Recommend Weekly)

B. Exclusively for Laboratory Use

Protective Clothing and Equipment

2. Hand Protection (Gloves)

A. Types- Nitrile, Rubber, Neoprene, and Polyvinyl compounds

B. Double gloving strongly recommended for extremely hazardous chemicals

Protective Clothing and Equipment

3. Eye Protection (Goggles, Safety Eye Glasses)

A. Required for corrosive, explosive and toxic chemicals

B. Determination if experimental procedure involves hazard to eyes

Protective Clothing and Equipment

4. Face Protection (Face Shields and hoods)

5. Foot Protection (Safety shoes)

Housekeeping General Rules

1. Maintain aisle areas clear of objects 2. Clean surfaces and floor regularly 3. Provide unobstructed access to safety

equipment 4. Proper labeling and storage procedures

must be implemented for all waste streams

Laboratory Workers Guidelines in Consideration of General Services

1. All chemicals are placed in proper storage areas at the end of each workday

2. All chemical containers are labeled with both the identity of the chemicals and its hazards

3. All spills are promptly cleaned up and the spilled material is properly discarded

4. Frequent cleaning of glassware/equipment

Factors to Consider for Pre-approval of a Lab Procedure

1. Potential hazard of a particular operation

2. Experience of worker involved

3. Identification of accident preventive measures in place at work area

Spills

1. NotificationA. SupervisorB. Emergency Responders

2. Take measures to control spill3. Consult Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for specific procedures to control spill

General Standard Procedure if a Person is Exposed to a Chemical

1. Wash with water (15 minutes)

2. Remove contaminated clothing

3. Obtain medical attention

General Standard Procedure for Inhalation Exposure

1. Move victim to an area with fresh air 2. Apply artificial respiration/CFR if trained

to do so 3. Obtain medical attention 4. Neutralize and absorb spilled chemical 5. Dispose material as hazardous chemical

waste

ACTIONS THAT ARE NOT TO BE TAKEN IN CHEMICAL EMERGENCY

1. Force liquids into mouth of unconscious person

2. Handling emergencies alone 3. Staying at accident scene 4. Applying medical aid with no training

Waste Chemicals

1. Disposal arrangements 2. Labeling 3. Storage area in the laboratory 4. Types of containers 5. Disposal methods

Levels Used to Control Chemical Exposures in Labs

1. Source level

2. Pathway level

3. Employee level

Source Level Factors

1. Substitution for a safer chemical 2. Enclosure of the operation 3. Isolation of the operation 4. Change in process to prevent hazard

formation

Pathway Level Factors

1. Local exhaust or fume hoods

2. General ventilation (room ventilation)

Employee Level Factors

1. Adequate hygiene practices (frequent clothing changes, washing hands)

2. Scheduling of staff 3. Rotation of staff into certain job

categories 4. Use of protective equipment 5. Education/training

Ventilation Definition

Ventilation is the means by which the vapors, mists and fumes are confined in a specified area

Ventilation Types

1. General Ventilation (Heating and Air Conditioning) Value >20 feet/minute

2. Local Ventilation (Biological safety cabinets, fume hoods)

Fume hoods >100 linear feet/minute

Certification of Chemical Fume Hoods

1. Chemical fume hoods are certified on an annual basis by the LA BioMed Safety

Office

2. Biological safety cabinets are certified on an annual basis by outsourcing to a

company away from campus

Fire Extinguisher and Fire Alarms

1. Proper type of fire extinguisher (A, B, or C) is to be present In each laboratory

2. Inspection of fire extinguishers is to be carried out at least on an annual basis

3. Fire alarms are to be heard from all laboratory areas

4. An access to a telephone is required for employees working with flammables

Flammable Storage Cabinets

1. Store only compatible materials inside the cabinets

2. Store chemicals of similar vapor density together

3. Do not store paper or cardboard inside cabinets

4. Do not overload the cabinet with an excess number of flammable chemicals

Emergency Eyewashes and Safety Showers

1. Inspection tags are placed on this equipment

2. Keep areas leading to the safety equipment clear of any obstructions

3. Eyewashes are checked every month. The water should not be rusty

4. Showers are checked every month. The chain on such units should be functional

Standard Types of Laboratory Protective Apparel

1. Gloves 2. Safety glasses 3. Goggles 4. Goggles with face shield 5. Laboratory coat 6. Laboratory coat and apron

Respirators

1. Respirators may be required for the prevention of atmospheric contamination

2. Selected issues of a respirator program would include:

A. Selection criteria

B. Inspection

C. Maintenance

Purchasing, Distribution and Storage of Chemicals

1. Purchasing Office purchases chemicals at Institute

2. Distribution of chemicals falls under Shipping and Receiving Department and Safety Office

3. Stockrooms storing chemicals have dedicated exhaust systems. Secondary containment is provided for chemicals

Carcinogens, Reproductive Toxins and Acutely Toxic Substances

1. Carcinogens (Chemicals known or suspected of causing cancer in humans and/or animals)

2. Reproductive Toxins (Substances that affect reproductive capabilities)

A. Mutagens (Chromosomal damage)

B. Teratogens (Effects on fetuses)

Carcinogens, Reproductive Toxins and Acutely Toxic Substances

3. Acutely toxic substance (LC50 and LD50)

Regulated and Controlled Areas

1. Restricted access. Sign: “Authorized personnel only”

2. Designated area. Options:

A. Complete laboratory

B. Laboratory section

C. Hood/Glove Box

3. Activity is monitored in regulated area

Precautionary Measures

1. Use of closed systems (fume hoods) 2. Disposal of carcinogens 3. Personal hygiene practices (food,

beverage, tobacco) 4. Protection apparel (disposable clothing,

gloves, long sleeves) 5. Amounts of chemicals

Exposure Guidelines

1. Threshold limit values (TLV), Permissible exposure levels (PEL) and action level

(AL). LD50- Alternate measure

2. Exposure values are used to determine safety precautions (control measures, safety apparel)

Fire Guidelines

1. Fire point versus Flash point 2. Combustible versus Flammable 3. Fume hood use 4. Sources of ignition

Reactivity Guidelines

1. Ranked as 3 or 4 for reactivity (NFPA ranking)

2. Classified as explosive, oxidizer or organic peroxide according to the Department of Transportation (DOT)

3. Listed under 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 261 (Environmental Protection Agency)

Reactivity Guidelines

4. Defined as an unstable or polymerizable material (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

5. Interacts extensively with ordinary substances

Safety Precautions for Reactive Chemicals

1. Extra segregation in storage 2. Prohibiting the mixing of reactive

chemicals with other chemicals.

An exception to this rule can be made if there is suitable personal protection and adequate precautions are implemented

Corrosivity and Contact Hazards

1. A chemical will be defined as corrosive if it eats up through steel at a given rate as determined by the major safety regulatory agencies

2. A chemical may also be defined as corrosive if the measured pH value is very low (<2) or very high (>12.5)

Corrosivity and Contact Hazards

3. Most chemicals have the main toxic route of entry through the eyes or the skin

4. Contact hazards can be elucidated by consulting applicable medical and industrial hygiene literature

When is Exposure to Toxic Substances Likely?

1. The victim had direct skin or eye contact with a chemical substance

2. Unidentifiable odor is noticed in area 3. Manifestation of health hazards

symptoms (headache, nausea and coughing) 4. Symptoms disappear when person(s)

taken to breathe some fresh air

When is Exposure to Toxic Substances Likely?

5. Symptoms reappear after person starts working with chemical again

6. There is a large number of complaints in the same work area

7. Airborne concentration of chemical exceeds Action level (AL) or Permissible Exposure Level (PEL)

Exposure Evaluations- First Stages After Possible Chemical Exposure

1. Documentation of complaint (Action taken would be transcribed into a short memorandum)

2. Establish whether complaint requires full investigation

Exposure Evaluations- Investigation Steps

1. Interviews (Complaining individual(s), victims)

2. Complaint circumstances information:

A. Chemicals involved

B. Symptoms

C. Control measures (fume hood)

D. Air sampling or monitoring devices

Exposure Evaluations- Investigation Steps

3. Air sampling suspect chemicals 4. Symptoms cross reference with MSDS 5. Medical evaluation 6. Review of protection level in relation to

control measures and safety procedures in place

7. Employee monitoring notification (15 days)

Medical Consultation

1. Required for a spill or leak incident with the potential for accidental acute exposure.

2. Employee health care providers will make all the necessary evaluation comments.

Written Report Components After Completion of Medical Consultation

1. What follow-up is required or recommended

2. Results of the exam 3. Work-related health concern test(s) 4. Employee is informed on exam results 5. Describe whether condition may require

further exams or treatment

Training Components

1. Existence, location and availability of Chemical Hygiene Plan

2. Description of Title 8, Section 5191 of California Code of Regulations (Chemical Hygiene Plan- Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories)

3. Protective Equipment (Selection and use)

Training Components

4. Exposure limits (PEL, TLV) 5. Emergency procedures and emergency

equipment 6. Location of reference materials