The Chemical Hygiene Plan is composed of the following sections:
- Scope
- Lab Safety Agreement
- Lab Specific Standard Operating Procedures
- Pre-Approval of Particularly Hazardous Work
- UTIA Lab Safety Program Document
- Chemical Inventory
- SDS of Especially Hazardous Chemicals
- Emergency Contacts
- Door Signs
- Lab Checkout
- Hazardous Waste Guide
UTIA Chemical Hygiene Plan Section 1: Scope
What is the Chemical Hygiene Notebook?
This notebook, once completed, is your lab’s Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP). Your task is to provide information asked for in each tab. Guidance for each step is provided on the left-hand side of this page in the blue tabs. Once the tabs are completed, all of the OSHA requirements for a CHP will be satisfied. The completed CHP notebook must be kept inside the laboratory.
Why is having a CHP important?
- It makes the lab a safer place. This plan has been prepared to outline the institutional policies and lab-specific procedures required for the safe handling of hazardous chemicals.
- It is required by law as set out in OSHA regulations. These regulations are discussed in the UTIA Lab Safety Program Document; and it states that each employer covered by the regulation should have a thorough and accessible plan to follow to keep lab workers safe. It also describes what each section of the CHP must include.
- The UTIA Safety Office will be reviewing your CHP as a part of routine laboratory safety inspections.
FAQs
Do I need to include Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in the CHP?
Yes, you should start with what you have: put your lab’s SOP in the first tab. If your lab’s SOP is lengthy, put the document in a separate binder near the CHP, labeled “Standard Operating Procedures,” or “SOP.”
You should identify the particularly hazardous chemicals or dangerous procedures (PDF) used in this lab. Develop safety provisions for working with them. Include all such provisions within your SOP.
How do I use this plan?
- Require all lab workers to read this plan in its entirety.
- Require all lab workers to sign the lab agreement showing that they have read and will adhere to safe working procedures for your laboratory.
In some cases with especially hazardous and after-hours work, or other special conditions, the lab manager may require the lab worker to be pre-approved to perform the specific procedures. Identify work (if any) that requires written authorization in this lab.
Use the following list to conduct an annual safety check:
- Review the CHP, ensure that it accurately reflects lab activities. If new hazards are present, safety protocols should be updated to reflect the lab-specific sections. Document the date that the CHP was reviewed on the cover page.
- Assure that new personnel first receive training on the CHP and sign the lab safety agreement.
- Verify that door signage and personnel contact information are current and accurate.
- Update the chemical inventory.
- Evaluate lab safety using the Laboratory Self-Audit Checklist (PDF)
Chemical Hygiene Plan Organization
| Tab # | Title | Description | Action Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scope | Gives the scope of the Chemical Hygiene Plan | N/A |
| 2 | Lab Safety Agreement | Provides agreement | Have all lab personnel sign form prior to working inside |
| 3 | Lab-Specific Standard Operating Procedures | Place to put lab-specific SOPs | Put lab-specific SOPs here |
| 4 | Pre-Approval of Particularly Hazardous Work | Provides form for pre-approval | Use as needed |
| 5 | UTIA Lab Safety Program Document | Provides general safety document | Keep most current hard copy of document here |
| 6 | Chemical Inventory | Provides a place to put the most current hard copy of the lab’s chemical inventory | Put hard copy here, update annually |
| 7 | SDS of Especially Hazardous or High-Use Chemicals | Place to put hard copies of SDS of most dangerous or most common chemicals | Put SDS here, update annually or as processes change |
| 8 | Lab Emergencies | Provides contact information for lab emergencies | Use as needed, update as necessary |
| 9 | Door Signs | Describes door sign program, place to put hard copy of most recent door sign | Put most recent hard copy of door sign here |
| 10 | Lab Checkout | Provides the Lab Checkout sheet for employees who are leaving the lab and/or the University | Keep current copies of form here |
| 11 | Hazardous Waste Guide | Provides general guidance on waste disposal as well as specific guidance on common waste types | Use as needed |