Course Name

Lab Safety and Chemical Hygiene

Contact Hours: 8

Course Description

In this course, you will learn about the requirements employers must meet to ensure a safe laboratory environment for their employees. It also walks you through creating an effective and comprehensive Chemical Hygiene Plan including basic components, general laboratory safety practices, facility and operation safety rules, chemical hazard identification, and other general safety topics that relate to laboratories. OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) has tailored a standard for occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories referred to as the Laboratory Standard which is found in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 1910, Subpart Z, Section 1450 (29CFR 1910.1450). Under this standard all operations that meet the OSHA definition of a laboratory are subject to the Laboratory Standard. Who Should Take This Course: laboratory technicians scientists lab managers environmental, health and safety coordinators anyone developing a laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plan anyone working in a "laboratory" If you call your operation a laboratory, then more than likely you fall under the OSHA definition of a laboratory. The term "hazardous chemical" is a broad definition according to OSHA. If you use a chemical that has any sort of associated health hazard (carcinogens, irritants, sensitizers, or anything that can irritate or damage the eyes, skin, or mucous membranes) in the process of working with a sample or product, then you have a laboratory. Common examples of OSHA regulated laboratories include laboratories that analyze commercial samples for the environmental or pharmaceutical industries, product testing laboratories, university and high school teaching laboratories, and in-house research laboratories.

Outcome

The goal of laboratory safety is to keep exposures to hazardous materials or risks from physical hazards to a minimum while making every effort to be informed about the risks and hazards. Achieving a zero-risk environment in the laboratory is an impossible task, however, it is possible to approach an accident free workplace by setting a goal of zero incidents and excuses. Safe practice by laboratory workers requires continuing attention, training, and education. Upon completion of this course, you should have a better understanding of the OSHA regulations that apply to laboratories and be better prepared to develop a Chemical Hygiene Plan for your laboratory.

Assessment

13 Modules with exams following each module.

Outline

Module 1: Overview Module 2: The Laboratory Standard Module 3: The Chemical Hygiene Plan Module 4: SOP's for Handling Hazardous Chemicals Module 5: Control Measures to Reduce Exposures Module 6: Fume Hood & Other Protective Equipment Performance Module 7: Employee Information & Training Module 8: Prior Approval of Laboratory Activity Module 9: Medical Consultations & Examinations Module 10: Chemical Hygiene Responsibilities Module 11: Provision for Work with Particularly Hazardous Substances Module 12: Hazard Identification Module 13: Recordkeeping