All schools with small-scale, non-production laboratories where small experiments occur must develop a chemical hygiene plan (CHP). OSHA’s Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories standard, effective May 1, 1990, specifies the requirements of a CHP.
A chemical hygiene plan seeks to control chemical and physical hazards associated with the exposure and use of chemicals in a school laboratory.
CHP Required Elements
A CHP must be developed under OSHA’s laboratory standards and has a variety of requirements that must be met. The laboratory safety standard requires the following:
- Designation of a chemical hygiene officer (CHO)
- Management and use of safety data sheets
- Hazard recognition and control
- Waste Management
- Exposure monitoring, medical consultations and examinations
- Standard operating procedures
- Emergency response and waste management
- Record Keeping and inspection of safety equipment
Chemical Hygiene Plan Best Practices
While OSHA has a variety of requirements for a CHP, there is always room for improvement when it comes to the safety of children and the community. There are a variety of best practices that can ensure your management plan is effective:
- OSHA requires annual maintenance of a CHP, but it is best practice to review the CHP monthly and update all expired information
- Safety data sheets may be kept in one place and be accessible by those who need them, but it is best practice to keep all SDS’s in a cloud format to ensure none are lost or misplaced
- Sharing information between multiple personnel and delegating tasks like updating an SDS, having different people conduct internal audits, and updating staff changes in the CHP will keep it up-to-date
Overall, delegating responsibilities ensures that a variety of people are well-versed in your CHP and helps you keep safety at the forefront of faculty and staff’s minds.
At Maine Labpack, Inc. we understand that writing a chemical hygiene plan can be daunting. We are here to guide you, conduct a walk-through of your facility, and help you write or rewrite a CHP. Request a quote today!