7.2.1 Chemical Hazard Information
As part of the employers Chemical Hygiene Plan, the OSHA Laboratory Standard requires that “the employer shall provide employees with information and training to ensure that they are apprised of the hazards of chemicals present in their work area…Such information shall be provided at the time of an employee’s initial assignment to a work area where hazardous chemicals are present and prior to assignments involving new exposure situations.”
It is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator and laboratory supervisor to ensure that staff and students under their supervision are provided with adequate training and information specific to the hazards found within their laboratories.
In addition to required health and safety training as per the OSHA Lab Standard and the University Health and Safety Policy, other sources of information on chemical and physical hazards include:
- This Laboratory Safety Manual
- Known reference materials (EHS maintains a reference library)
- Training videos (EHS maintains a video library available for loan)
- Other department’s safety manuals
- Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
- Websites
- EHS Training Programs
- Departmental Safety Committees
- Container labels
- Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures
- Laboratory signage and postings
- Publications such as the American Chemical Society – Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories