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Section 2

Laboratory Standard

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has promulgated a final rule entitled Occupational Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories (29 CFR Part 1910.1450). The standard applies to all laboratories that use hazardous chemicals. It specifies that a written Chemical Hygiene Plan must be developed and implemented that includes the necessary work practices, procedures, and policies to ensure that employees are protected from all potentially hazardous chemicals in use in their work area.

The following information constitutes the basis for the written Chemical Hygiene Plan for all CDC/ATSDR laboratory employees who work in areas where hazardous chemicals are used. It cannot be considered complete until the laboratory supervisor completes all segments which must contain laboratory specific information, policies, and procedures.

Chemical Hygiene Plan

      I.
Standard Operating Procedures
A.
General Requirements
  1. Safe Work Practices With Chemicals
  2. The Laboratory Facility
  3. Chemical Procurement, Distribution, and Storage
  4. Housekeeping, Maintenance, and Inspections
  5. Protective Apparel and Equipment
  6. Records
  7. Signs and Labels
  8. Spills and Other Laboratory Incidents
  9. Waste Disposal Program
  10. Project Review
  11. Synthesized Substances
B.
Laboratory Specific Operating Procedures
    II.
Reduction of Employee Exposure
A.
General Requirements
  1. Environmental Monitoring
  2. Personal Protection
B.
Specific Criteria
   III.
Ventilation Equipment Performance
A.
General Requirements
  1. Chemical Fume Hood
  2. Other Local Ventilation Devices
B.
Specific requirements
    IV.
Employee Training
A.
General Requirements
  1. Information and Training Program
  2. Training Aids
B.
Specific Training Required for Employees
      V.
Approval of Laboratory Procedures
    VI.
Medical Consultations and Examinations
A.
General Requirements
B.
Medical Programs
C.
Specific Medical Consultations and Examinations
  VII.
Personnel Designations
A.
General Requirements
B.
Specific personnel responsible
VIII.
Particularly Hazardous Substances
A.
General Requirements
  1. Additional procedures
  2. Working with Allergens and Embryotoxins
B.
Specific provisions

I. Standard Operating Procedures

The following standard operating procedures must be followed by all laboratory workers where laboratory work involves the use of hazardous chemicals.

A.
General Requirements
1.
Safe Work Practices With Chemicals
a.
Minimize all chemical exposures. Because few laboratory chemicals are without hazards, general precautions for handling all laboratory chemicals should be adopted, along with specific guidelines for particular chemicals as needed. Skin contact with chemicals and inhalation of vapors should be avoided as a cardinal rule.
b.
Avoid underestimation of risk. Even for substances of no known significant hazard, exposure should be minimized. For work with substances which present special hazards, special precautions should be taken. One should assume that any mixture will be more toxic than its most toxic component and that all substances of unknown toxicity are toxic. Refer to the Material Safety Data Sheet for specific information about a chemical or product containing hazardous chemicals. (See Section 4 of this manual, "HOW TO OBTAIN MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS".)
c.
Provide adequate ventilation. The best way to prevent exposure to airborne substances is to prevent their escape into the working atmosphere by use of fume hoods and other ventilation devices. One should be familiar with the proper operation and use of a fume hood.
d.
Institute a chemical hygiene program. A mandatory chemical hygiene program designed to minimize exposures has been prepared. Its implementation should be a regular, continuing effort, not merely a standby or short-term activity. The recommendations should be followed by all laboratory personnel including employees, guest researchers, students, and visitors.
e.
Observe the PELs, TLVs, or RELs. The Permissible Exposure Limits of OSHA, the Threshold Limit Values of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, or Recommended Exposure Limits of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health should not be exceeded.
f.
Accidents and spills. Eye Contact: Promptly flush eyes with water for a prolonged period (at least 15 minutes) and seek medical attention. Ingestion: Provide emergency medical treatment and contact the Employee Health Service Clinic or local Poison Control Center and follow directions. Skin Contact: Promptly flush the affected area with copious amounts of water and seek medical attention. Remove any clothing that may have chemical contamination to prevent further exposure. Clean-up: Promptly clean up spills, using appropriate apparel and equipment and proper disposal. See Appendix G for specific clean-up recommendations.
g.
Avoidance of routine exposure. Develop and encourage safe habits and avoid unnecessary exposure to chemicals by any route. Do not smell or taste chemicals. Vent any apparatus which may discharge toxic chemicals (e.g. vacuum pumps, distillation columns) into local exhaust devices. Chemicals should be properly stored and used to prevent exposure. Wear appropriate gloves when the potential for contact with toxic materials exists. Select proper glove material based on the material being handled, the particular hazard involved, and their suitability for the operation being conducted (See Appendix H). Inspect gloves for discoloration, punctures and tears before each use. Wash them before removal, and replace them periodically. Test positive pressure glove boxes for leaks before use. Do not allow release of toxic substances in cold rooms and warm rooms, since these have contained recirculated atmospheres.
h.
Choice of chemicals. Use only those chemicals for which the quality of the available ventilation system is appropriate.
i.
Eating, smoking, etc. Do not eat, drink, chew gum, or apply cosmetics in areas where laboratory chemicals are present. Wash hands before conducting these activities. Smoking is not allowed in any CDC facility. Do not store or consume food or beverages in areas where chemicals are stored, handled, or used. Glassware or utensils which are also used for laboratory operations should not be used with food or beverages. Do not use laboratory refrigerators for storage of food or beverages (see CDC General Memorandum No. 86-16, Smoking, Eating, Drinking, and Storage of Food in Laboratories, Appendix B).
j.
Equipment and glassware. Handle and store laboratory glassware with care to avoid damage; do not use damaged glassware. Use extra care with Dewar flasks and other evacuated or pressurized glass apparatus; shield or wrap them to contain chemicals and fragments should implosion occur. Use equipment only for its designed purpose.
k.
Personal hygiene. Thoroughly wash hands immediately after working with chemicals.
l.
Visitors. No children under 12 years of age are allowed into any laboratory or animal holding area except with the special permission of the Director, Office of Health and Safety, or the Director of the field activity. No pets are allowed in any CDC building (see CDC General Memorandum No. 85-8, Visitors in Laboratory Areas, Appendix C).
m.
Horseplay. Avoid practical jokes or other behavior which might confuse, startle or distract another worker.
n.
Mouth pipetting. Do not use mouth suction for pipetting or starting a siphon (CDC Manual Guide No. CDC-16, Mouth Pipetting, Appendix B).
o.
Personal apparel. Confine long hair and loose clothing. Wear shoes at all times in the laboratory but do not wear sandals, perforated shoes, or high heeled shoes.
p.
Laboratory coats. Laboratory coats are intended to prevent contact with the minor chemical splashes and spills encountered in a lab. Lab coats do not significantly resist penetration by organic liquids and should be removed immediately when they become contaminated. Lab coats should be worn in areas where chemicals are handled or used. Lab coats are not permitted in other areas. They must not be worn in public or administrative areas of the building such as the cafeteria and library. Front opening laboratory coats should always be worn closed. Home laundering of laboratory coats and other protective clothing is not permitted (CDC General Memorandum No. 84-8, Laboratory Coats and Other Protective Clothing, Appendix C).
q.
Personal housekeeping. Keep the work area clean and uncluttered. Properly label and store chemicals and equipment; clean up the work area on completion of an operation or at the end of each day.
r.
Planning. Seek information and advice about hazards, plan appropriate protective procedures, and plan positioning of equipment before beginning any new operation.
s.
Unattended operations. Leave lights on, place an appropriate sign on the door, and provide for containment of toxic substances in the event of a failure of a utility service (such as cooling water) to an unattended operation.
t.
Vigilance. Be alert of unsafe conditions and see that they are corrected when detected.
u.
Working alone. Avoid working alone in a building; do not work alone in a laboratory if the procedures being conducted are hazardous.
2.
The Laboratory Facility
a.
Design. The laboratory facility should have:
(1)
An appropriate general ventilation system with air intakes and exhausts located so as to avoid reentrainment of contaminated air;
(2)
Adequate, well-ventilated stockrooms/storerooms;
(3)
Laboratory fume hoods and sinks;
(4)
Other safety equipment including eye wash stations and emergency showers; and
(5)
Arrangements for waste disposal.
b.
Maintenance. Chemical hygiene-related equipment (fume hoods, chemical spill kits, storage cabinets, etc.) should undergo continuing appraisal and be modified or replaced if inadequate.
c.
Usage. The work conducted and its scale must be appropriate to the physical facilities available and, especially, to the quality of ventilation.
d.
Ventilation.
(1)
General laboratory ventilation. This system should: Provide a source of air for breathing and for input to local ventilation devices; it should not be relied on for protection from toxic substances released into the laboratory; ensure that laboratory air is continually replaced, preventing increase of air concentration of toxic substances during the working day; direct air flow into the laboratory from non-laboratory areas and out to the exterior of the building (see CDC Manual Guide No. CDC-6, Control of Air Flow in Laboratory Areas, Appendix B).
(2)
Special ventilation areas. Exhaust air from glove boxes and radioactive iodine fume hoods should be passed through scrubbers or other treatment before its release.
(3)
Modifications. Any alteration of the ventilation system should be made only if thorough testing indicates that worker protection from airborne toxic substances will continue to be adequate.
(4)
Performance. Eight to ten room air changes per hour is normally adequate general ventilation if local exhaust systems such as fume hoods are used as the primary method of control. Doors to the laboratory must be kept closed to ensure correct airflow.
(5)
Quality. General air flow should not be turbulent and should be relatively uniform throughout the laboratory, with no high velocity or stagnant air.
(6)
Fume Hoods.
(a)
The purchase of all laboratory fume hoods requires prior approval by the Office of Health and Safety for the Atlanta facilities or the local safety authority at each of the field stations.
(b)
Airflow into and within the fume hood should not be excessively turbulent; fume hood face velocity should be adequate (typically 80-120 linear feet per minute). Air disturbances at the face of the fume hood should be avoided.
(c)
Fume hoods within the Atlanta facilities are generally connected to the building exhaust system and do not operate outside normal working hours. Contact the Engineering Services Office to arrange for an extension of operating hours when necessary (see CDC General Memorandum No. 85-14, "Requesting the Use of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Systems After Office Hours - Clifton Road and Chamblee Facilities, Appendix C).
(d)
Quality and quantity of ventilation should be evaluated on installation, regularly certified (at least annually), and recertified whenever a change in local ventilation devices is made. Any malfunctions should be reported to the Office of Health and Safety for the Atlanta area facilities or the local safety authority at the field stations.
(e)
Close the fume hood sash when the hood is not in use. Work with the sash at the lowest possible position when using the fume hood.
(f)
Fume hoods should be kept clean and uncluttered. Work within the hood at least eight inches back from the front opening.
3.
Chemical Procurement, Distribution, and Storage
a.
Procurement. Avoid the purchase of unnecessary volumes of chemicals; only order the amount needed. Before a substance is received, information on proper handling, storage, and disposal should be known to those who will be involved. No container should be accepted without an adequate identifying label. Preferably, all substances should be received in a central location. If a Material Safety Data Sheet has been sent with the package, it should be distributed to the user.
b.
Stockrooms/storerooms. Toxic substances should be segregated in a well-identified area with local exhaust ventilation. Stored chemicals should be examined periodically (at least annually) for replacement, deterioration, and container integrity. Where stockrooms/storerooms exist, these conditions apply: they should not be used as preparation or re-packaging areas, they should be open during normal working hours, and they should be controlled by one person.
c.
Distribution. When chemicals are hand carried, the container should be placed in an outside container or bucket. Freight-only elevators should be used if possible.
d.
Shipment. Refer to CDC Manual Guide No. CDC-28, Packaging and Shipping of Category A Hazardous Chemicals, (Appendix B), for guidance in shipping those hazardous chemicals defined in the Manual guide.
e.
Laboratory storage. All incoming containers of hazardous chemicals must have appropriate labels that are not removed or defaced. Each container should be labeled as to the date it was received and the date it was opened as some chemicals form peroxides or other unstable products when stored for relatively short periods of time. Refer to Appendix D for a list of common laboratory chemicals that may become unstable with time. Amounts permitted should be as small as practical. Storage on bench tops and in fume hoods is inadvisable. Chemicals in the laboratory should be segregated (see Appendix E) and safely stored. Acids, bases, corrosives, and toxics should be separated from one another. Flammable liquids should be kept in NFPA-approved flammable liquid storage cabinets (see CDC Manual Guide No. CDC-10, Storage of Flammable Solvents in CDC Laboratories, Appendix B). Absolute ethyl alcohol must be stored in locked cabinets (see CDC Manual Guide No. CDC-24, Ethyl Alcohol, Appendix B). Exposure to heat or direct sunlight should be avoided. Chemicals should not be stored under a sink. Strong acids or bases or unsealed toxic chemicals can be stored in the ventilated base of chemical fume hoods but separation should be provided to prevent cross-mixing. Mild acids and bases such as citric acid and sodium carbonate may be stored with other low-hazard reagents. Open shelves for low-hazard, stable chemicals should be located out of normally traveled routes. The higher shelves should be used for smaller containers of the lowest hazard chemicals. Lecture bottles and full-sized (1A) cylinders of compressed gases should be stored in a ventilated storage area (see CDC Manual Guide CDC-3, Standards for Handling Compressed Gas in Cylinders, Appendix B). If gas cylinders are required inside a laboratory, they must be strapped and anchored. The area should have adequate room ventilation to remove leaking gas and easy accessibility for periodic exchange of cylinders.
f.
Inventory. The supervisor, or his/her designee, should maintain a list of all hazardous chemicals known to be present in each laboratory and update the list as necessary. Unneeded items should be discarded or identified as surplus (see Section 2, PROPER DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL WASTE). The inventory must identify each hazardous chemical by the primary name on the label and the manufacturer or distributor of the chemical. The inventory must be kept in the laboratory in a suitable format such as that illustrated in Appendix F. Substances that are synthesized at CDC facilities need not be included in this list.
4.
Housekeeping, Maintenance, and Inspections
a.
Cleaning. Floors should be cleaned regularly.
b.
Inspections. Formal housekeeping and chemical hygiene inspections should be held at least quarterly for units which have frequent personnel changes and semiannually for others; informal inspections should be continual.
c.
Maintenance. Eye wash stations should be activated for 5-10 minutes on a weekly basis by laboratory personnel. They should be inspected by maintenance personnel at least annually. Emergency showers should be tested by maintenance personnel at least annually. Other safety equipment should be inspected regularly (e.g., every 3-6 months).
d.
Passageways. Stairways and hallways should not be used as storage areas. Access to exits, emergency equipment, and utility controls should never be blocked. A minimum of 44 inches must be maintained through all passageways (see CDC Manual Guide No. 25, Safe Use of Laboratory Corridors, Appendix B).
5.
Protective Apparel and Equipment
a.
These should include for each laboratory:
(1)
Safety glasses should be worn by everyone who enters an area, including visitors, where chemicals are stored, handled or used. Contact lenses, especially the soft and gas-permeable types, may be hazardous in some laboratory situations. They should be used with caution in laboratories handling chemicals. Contacts have the potential to hold caustic or toxic chemicals on the conjunctiva and may be impossible to remove in an emergency (see CDC Manual Guide No. 21, Eye Protection, Appendix B).
(2)
Protective apparel compatible with the required degree of protection for substances being handled;
(3)
An easily accessible emergency shower;
(4)
An eye wash station;
(5)
A fire extinguisher;
(6)
Fire alarm and telephone for emergency use should be available nearby; and
(7)
Other items designated by the laboratory supervisor.
b.
The Office of Health and Safety provides respiratory protection for situations where engineering and administrative controls cannot feasibly contain a respiratory hazard. If a respirator is needed, it must be issued from the Office of Health and Safety for the Atlanta facilities, or the local safety authority at CDC field stations. The purchase of all respiratory protection equipment for use at CDC facilities requires prior approval by the Office of Health and Safety. Anyone whose work may require respirator use should follow the procedures outlined in the CDC/ATSDR Respirator Protection Program. A medical evaluation is required prior to issuance of any respirator.
6.
Records
a.
Laboratory incident records should be written and retained.
b.
Laboratory specific Chemical Hygiene Plan standard operating procedures should be reviewed by the Chemical Hygiene Officer/Safety Committee.
7.
Signs and Labels
a.
Prominent signs and labels of the following types should be posted:
(1)
Emergency telephone numbers of emergency personnel/facilities, supervisors, and laboratory workers;
(2)
Identity labels, showing contents of containers (including waste receptacles) and associated hazards;
(3)
Location signs for emergency showers, eye wash stations, other safety and first aid equipment, exits and areas where food and beverage consumption and storage are permitted; and
(4)
Areas where hazardous materials are handled or stored must be posted with proper CDC hazard warning signs (See Manual Guide No. CDC-2, CDC Hazard Warning Signs, Appendix B).
8.
Spills and Other Laboratory Incidents
a.
A written emergency plan should be established and communicated to all personnel; it should include procedures for ventilation failure, evacuation, medical care, reporting, and drills.
b.
The supervisor must report all incidents involving hazardous materials which occur within the lab, indicating whether injury or ill health resulted. Incidents occurring in the laboratory must be reported on Form CDC 0.304, CDC Accident Report. This form must accompany the person to the Employee Health Services Clinic.
c.
There should be an alarm system to alert people in all parts of the facility including isolation areas such as walk-in cold rooms.
d.
A spill control policy has been be developed and includes consideration of prevention, containment, cleanup, and reporting (see Appendix G).
e.
All accidents or near accidents should be carefully analyzed with the results distributed to all who might benefit.
9.
Waste Disposal Program Assure that the plan for each laboratory operation includes plans and training for waste disposal. Indiscriminate disposal of waste chemicals down the drain or by adding them to mixed refuse for landfill burial is unacceptable. The CDC Hazardous Chemical Waste management program describes acceptable waste disposal methods for the Atlanta area facilities (see Section 3 of this manual, "HOW TO PROPERLY DISPOSE OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL WASTE"). Fume hoods should not be used as a means of disposal for volatile chemicals. Before a worker's employment in the laboratory ends, chemicals for which that person was responsible should be reassigned, properly discarded, or identified as surplus. Disposal by recycling or chemical neutralization should be used when possible. Contact the Office of Health and Safety for details about these procedures for a particular waste.
10.
Project Review All projects and activities involving hazards at CDC are subject to prior review by the Office of Health and Safety for Atlanta area projects, or the local safety authority at CDCs field stations. Laboratorians should complete Form CDC 0.838, Notice of Intent to Work with a Hazardous Biological Agent or Toxic Material, prior to initiating the work.
11.
Synthesized Chemicals If hazardous chemical substances are developed in the laboratory for in-house use, appropriate training should be given to personnel as with any other hazardous chemical. If the chemical produced is a by-product whose composition is not known, it shall be assumed that the substance is hazardous and should be treated in the same manner as other hazardous chemicals.
B.
Laboratory Specific Operating Procedures
Place laboratory specific chemical operating procedures here.

II. Reduction of Employee Exposure

Criteria used to determine and implement control measures to reduce employee exposure to hazardous chemicals. These include engineering controls, the use of personal protective equipment and hygiene practices. Particular attention shall be given to the selection of control measures for chemicals that are known to be extremely hazardous.

A.
General Requirements
1.
Environmental Monitoring Regular instrumental monitoring of airborne concentrations is not usually justified or practical in laboratories but may be appropriate when testing or redesigning fume hoods or other ventilation devices or when a highly toxic substance is stored or used regularly (e.g., 3 times/week). Monitoring will be conducted if there is reason to believe that exposure levels for that substance routinely exceed the action level. A copy of the results of such monitoring will be sent to the employee and his/her supervisor within 15 days of receipt of the sampling results. The Office of Health and Safety will maintain an official record of the results.
2.
Personal protection
Use protective and emergency apparel and equipment appropriate for the procedure and any related hazard.
a.
Eye protection. Assure that appropriate eye protection is worn by all persons, including visitors, where chemicals are stored or handled. Contact lenses, especially the soft and gas-permeable types, may be hazardous in some laboratory situations. They should be used with caution in laboratories handling chemicals. Contacts have the potential to hold caustic or toxic chemicals on the conjunctiva and may be impossible to remove in an emergency (see CDC Manual Guide No. 21, Eye Protection, Appendix B).
b.
Hand protection. Wear appropriate gloves when the potential for contact with toxic materials exists. Select proper glove material based on the substance being handled, the particular hazard involved, and their suitability for the operation being conducted. (See Appendix H) Inspect gloves for discoloration, punctures and tears before each use. Wash them before removal, and replace them periodically.
c.
Respiratory protection. The Office of Health and Safety for Atlanta area facilities, or the local safety authority for each field station, provides respiratory protection for situations where engineering and administrative controls cannot feasibly contain a respiratory hazard. If a respirator is needed, it must be issued from the Office of Health and Safety, or local safety authority. The purchase of all respiratory protection equipment for use at CDC facilities requires prior approval by the Office of Health and Safety, or local safety authority. Anyone whose work may require respirator use should follow the procedures outlined in the CDC/ATSDR Respirator Protection Program. These include hazard evaluation, respirator selection, fitting and training, maintenance, medical surveillance, and program evaluation.
d.
Body protection. Laboratory coats or aprons should be worn at all times within the laboratory even if no chemical procedures are being conducted.
B.
Laboratory Specific Criteria
Place laboratory specific criteria for the selection of personal protective equipment for specific chemical procedures, here.

III. Ventilation Equipment Performance

Protective ventilation equipment such as fume hoods must be properly functioning.

A.
General Requirements
1.
Chemical fume hoods
a.
Certification: The Office of Health and Safety, or local safety authority, has a program to certify all chemical fume hoods to ensure that they function properly. Quality and quantity of ventilation should be evaluated on installation, regularly certified (at least annually), and recertified whenever a change in local ventilation devices is made. Any malfunctions should be reported to the Office of Health and Safety, or local safety authority. Ideally, each fume hood should have a continuous monitoring device to allow convenient confirmation of adequate fume hood performance.
b.
Purchase: The purchase of all laboratory fume hoods requires prior approval by the Office of Health and Safety, or local safety authority.
c.
Use: The fume hood is used for operations which might result in release of toxic chemical vapors or dust. As a rule of thumb, use a fume hood or other local ventilation device when working with any volatile substance with a TLV of less than 50 parts per million.
d.
Work Space: A laboratory fume hood with a minimum of 2.5 linear feet of hood space per person should be provided for every 2 workers if they spend most of their time working with chemicals.
e.
Housekeeping: Fume hoods should be kept clean and uncluttered. Keep materials stored in fume hoods to a minimum and do not allow such materials to block vents or air flow.
f.
Work Practice: Work within the hood, at least eight inches back from the front opening. Close the fume hood sash when the hood is not in use. Work with the sash at the lowest possible position. Avoid rapid movements at the face of the fume hood.
g.
Airflow: Airflow into and within the fume hood should not be excessively turbulent; fume hood face velocity should be adequate (typically 80-120 linear feet per minute).
h.
Exhaust: Fume hoods within the Atlanta facilities are generally connected to the building exhaust system and do not operate outside normal working hours. Contact the Engineering Services Office to arrange for an extension of operating hours when necessary (see CDC General Memorandum No. 85-14, Requesting the use of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Systems After Office Hours--Clifton Road and Chamblee Facilities, Appendix C). If the fume hood is not connected to the building exhaust system, leave the hood on when it is not in active use if toxic substances are stored in it or if it is uncertain whether adequate general laboratory ventilation will be maintained when it is off.
2.
Other ventilation devices.
Ventilated storage cabinets, canopy hoods and snorkels should be provided as needed. They are generally connected to the building exhaust system and do not operate outside normal working hours.
CDC discourages the use of other types of local ventilation devices such as ductless fume hoods. They can be utilized in a laboratory setting if the chemicals to be used in the fume hood can be effectively captured by the filtration system, if the filtration pack is changed frequently and if the system is properly maintained. These systems should not be used for highly toxic material. Usage of the ductless fume hood is discouraged at CDC because there is no established mechanism to periodically test these units. Therefore, there is no way to determine when the substrate is saturated. Also, the chemical vapor is gradually released into the lab from these filtration substrates, unknowingly exposing the laboratory occupants. All maintenance and upkeep is the responsibility of the user.
Contact the Office of Health and Safety, or local safety authority, for a review of your circumstances before submitting a requisition for this type of equipment. The purchase of all laboratory fume hoods requires prior approval by the Office of Health and Safety, or local safety authority.
B.
Laboratory Specific Ventilation Requirements
Place laboratory specific ventilation requirements, here.

IV. Employee Training

A.
General Requirements
1.
Information and Training Program
a.
Aim: To assure that all individuals at risk are adequately informed about the work in the laboratory, its risks, and what to do if an accident occurs.
b.
Responsibility: It is the responsibility of the supervisor to recognize when training is needed for his/her employees and to arrange for such training. The supervisor is not responsible to provide any training in the sense that he must develop and present the training program, but rather, the supervisor must recognize the need for training and arrange for his employees to receive it. This training is available in several formats:
(1)
A presentation arranged or presented by the local Safety Committee,
(2)
A video presentation from the Office of Health and Safety library (See Section 6 of this manual, "TRAINING AIDS AND INFORMATION RESOURCES"),
(3)
A presentation arranged or presented by the Office of Health and Safety staff, or
(4)
A presentation arranged or presented by the supervisor.
c.
Topics: The training each employee receives shall include all of the following, as they apply to their work area.
(1)
OSHA Standard: The contents of the OSHA standard "OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES TO HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS IN LABORATORIES" and its appendices;
(2)
CDC Chemical Hygiene Plan: The location and availability of the Chemical Hygiene Plan;
(3)
Exposure Limits: The permissible exposure limits for OSHA regulated substances or recommended exposure limits for other hazardous chemicals where there is no applicable OSHA standard;
(4)
Exposure Symptoms: Signs and symptoms associated with exposures to hazardous chemicals used in the laboratory;
(5)
Hazard Reference Materials: The location and availability of known reference material on hazards, safe handling, storage and disposal of hazardous chemicals found in the laboratory including, but not limited to, Material Safety Data Sheets received from the chemical supplier;
(6)
Hazard Detection: Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical (such as monitoring conducted by the employer, continuous monitoring devices, visual appearance or odor of hazardous chemicals when being released, etc.);
(7)
Chemical Hazards: The physical and health hazards of chemicals in the work area; and
(8)
Employee Protection: The measures employees can take to protect themselves from these hazards, including specific procedures the employer has implemented to protect employees from exposure to hazardous chemicals such as appropriate work practices, emergency procedures, and personal protective equipment to be used.
(9)
Emergency and Personal Protection Procedures: Every laboratory worker should know the location and proper use of available protective apparel and equipment. Some of the full-time personnel of the laboratory should be trained in the proper use of emergency equipment and procedures. Such training as well as first aid instruction should be available to and encouraged for everyone.
(10)
Receiving and Stockroom/Storeroom Personnel Protection: Receiving and stockroom/storeroom personnel should know about hazards, handling equipment, protective apparel, and relevant regulations.
d.
Frequency of Training: Training should initiate at the time of an employees initial assignment to a work area where hazardous chemicals are present and prior to assignments involving new exposure situations. The training and education program should be a regular, continuing activity--not simply an annual presentation.
e.
Literature/Consultation: Literature and consulting advice concerning chemical hygiene should be readily available to laboratory personnel, who should be encouraged to use these information resources. (See Section 6, "TRAINING AIDS AND INFORMATION RESOURCES").
2.
Training aids: See SECTION 6 of this manual.
B.
Laboratory Specific Training Requirements
Place specific laboratory training requirements here.

V. Approval of Laboratory Procedures

The laboratory supervisor should identify circumstances under which a particular laboratory operation, procedure, or activity requires prior approval. The supervisor shall list those activities here. All projects and activities involving hazards at CDC are subject to prior review by the Office of Health and Safety for Atlanta area projects, or the local safety authority at CDCs field stations. Laboratorians should complete Form CDC 0.838, Notice of Intent to Work with a Hazardous Biological Agent or Toxic Material, prior to initiating the work.

VI. Medical Consultation and Examinations

A.
General Requirements
The CDC provisions for medical consultation and medical examinations shall be in accordance with paragraph (g) of the OSHA standard "OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES TO HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS IN LABORATORIES," (29 CFR 1910.1450), reproduced below.
(g)
Medical consultation and medical examinations.
(1)
The employer shall provide all employees who work with hazardous chemicals an opportunity to receive medical attention, including any follow-up examinations which the examining physician determines to be necessary, under the following circumstances:
(i)
Whenever an employee develops signs or symptoms associated with a hazardous chemical to which the employee may have been exposed in the laboratory, the employee shall be provided an opportunity to receive an appropriate medical examination.
(ii)
Where exposure monitoring reveals an exposure level routinely above the action level (or in the absence of an action level, the PEL) for an OSHA regulated substance for which there are exposure monitoring and medical surveillance requirements, medical surveillance shall be established for the affected employee as prescribed by the particular standard.
(iii)
Whenever an event takes place in the work area such as a spill, leak, explosion or other occurrence resulting in the likelihood of a hazardous exposure, the affected employee shall be provided an opportunity for a medical consultation. Such consultation shall be for the purpose of determining the need for a medical examination.
(2)
All medical examinations and consultations shall be performed by or under the direct supervision of a licensed physician and shall be provided without cost to the employee without loss of pay and at a reasonable time and place.
(3)
Information provided to the physician. The employer shall provide the following information to the physician:
(i)
The identity of the hazardous chemical(s) to which the employee may have been exposed;
(ii)
A description of the conditions under which the exposure occurred including quantitative exposure data, if available
(iii)
A description of the signs and symptoms of exposure that the employee is experiencing, if any.
(4)
Physician's written opinion.
(i)
For examination or consultation required under this standard, the employer shall obtain a written opinion from the examining physician which shall include the following:
(A)
Any recommendation for further medical follow-up;
(B) The results of the medical examination and any associated tests;
(C)
Any medical condition which may be revealed in the course of the examination which may place the employee at increased risk as a result of exposure to a hazardous chemical found in the workplace; and,
(D)
A statement that the employee has been informed by the physician of the results of the consultation or medical examination and any medical condition that may require further examination or treatment.
(iii)
The written opinion shall not reveal specific findings of diagnoses unrelated to occupational exposure.
B.
Medical Program
1.
Compliance: Regular medical surveillance programs are established to the extent required by regulations. The CDC Employee Health Services Clinic, or the CDC facility physician, has the responsibility to administer the medical surveillance programs.
2.
Surveillance: Anyone whose work involves regular and frequent use of chemicals that can be harmful to humans (through skin absorption or inhalation) in such a manner as to potentially expose them to concentrations approaching or above recognized exposure levels should consult the Office of Health and Safety, the Employee Health Services Clinic, the CDC facility physician, or local safety authority, to determine on an individual basis whether a regular schedule of medical surveillance is desirable.
Medical surveillance can include pre-employment health assessment, periodic health assessment, and medical monitoring. Medical surveillance is considered for each project for which Form CDC 0.838, Notice of Intent to work with a Hazardous Biological Agent or Toxic Material, is submitted to the Office of Health and Safety for Atlanta area projects, or the local safety authority at the CDC field station.
Supervisors should give special consideration to the pregnant worker and/or the fetus who may be exposed to hazardous chemicals (see CDC Manual Guide No. 11, Exposure to Teratogenic Agent in Laboratories, Appendix B).
Medical surveillance programs currently exist for personnel who work with the following hazardous chemicals/physical agents or in potentially hazardous areas:
(1)
asbestos
(2)
ethylene oxide
(3)
cyanide
(4)
pesticides
(5)
work requiring the use of a respirator
(6)
work requiring the use of hearing protection
3.
Responsibility: The supervisor must ensure that all personnel are aware of hazard(s) and that they will follow appropriate precautions in accordance with CDC policies and federal safety and health regulations. The supervisor must ensure that all appropriate medical precautions recommended by the Employee Health Services Clinic or the CDC facility physician are followed.
4.
First Aid: Personnel trained in first aid should be available during working hours and an emergency room with medical personnel should be nearby.
5.
Medical Records: All medical records should be retained by the institution in accordance with the requirements of state and federal regulations.
B.
Laboratory Specific Medical Requirements.
List laboratory specific medical consultations and examinations, here.

VII. Personnel Designations

Responsibility for the implementation of the Chemical Hygiene Plan including the assignment of Chemical Hygiene Officers and the establishment of Chemical Hygiene Committees rests at all levels through designated personnel.

A.
General Requirements
1.
Director, Centers for Disease Control: Ultimately responsible for chemical hygiene within the institution and must, with other administrators, provide continuing support for institutional chemical hygiene.
2.
Supervisor of Department/Administrative Unit: Responsible for chemical hygiene in that unit and the chemical hygiene plan is operative and working.
3.
Chemical Hygiene Officers/Chemical Hygiene Committees: Responsible for:
a.
Working with administrators and other employees to develop and implement appropriate chemical hygiene policies and practices;
b.
Monitoring procurement, use, and disposal (including recycling and neutralization) of chemicals used in the lab;
c.
Seeing that appropriate audits are maintained;
d.
Helping project directors develop precautions and adequate facilities;
e.
Knowing the current legal requirements concerning regulated substances; and
f.
Seeking ways to improve the chemical hygiene program.
4.
Laboratory supervisor: Responsible for chemical hygiene in the laboratory including,
a.
Ensuring that workers know and follow the chemical hygiene rules, that protective equipment is available and in working order, and that appropriate training has been provided;
b.
Providing regular, formal chemical hygiene and housekeeping inspections including routine inspections of emergency equipment;
c.
Knowing the current legal requirements concerning regulated substances;
d.
Determining the required levels of protective apparel and equipment; and
e.
Ensuring that facilities, equipment, and training for use of any material being ordered are adequate.
5.
Laboratory worker: Responsible for:
a.
Planning and conducting each operation in accordance with the institutional chemical hygiene procedures;
b.
Following prescribed safety practices; and
c.
Developing good personal chemical hygiene habits.
B.
Laboratory Specific Personnel
List specific personnel responsible for the implementation of the Chemical Hygiene Plan, here.

VIII. Particularly Hazardous Substances

A.
General Requirements
1.
Procedures and Practices
a.
Definition: "Particularly hazardous substances" as termed by OSHA include "select carcinogens," reproductive toxins, and substances which have a high degree of acute toxicity. A list of the "select carcinogens" is located in Appendix I. A substance of high acute toxicity is one for which acute or short-term toxicity characterizes the response, e.g. fast-acting substances, irritants, and narcosis producing substances. Any substance having an oral LD50 in mammals of 50mg or less per kilogram of body weight, an inhalation LC50 in mammals of 100 parts per million (ppm), or a dermal LD50 in mammals of 50mg or less per kilogram of body weight is considered highly toxic.
Examples of substances that are reproductive toxins or have high acute toxicity are located in Appendix J.
b.
Designated Areas: Conduct all work and transfers with these substances in a "designated area" - a restricted access fume hood, glove box, or portion of a lab designated for use of highly toxic substances, for which all people with access are aware of the substances being used and necessary precautions. Use and store these substances only in areas of restricted access with special warning signs.
Always use a fume hood (previously evaluated to confirm adequate performance with a face velocity of 80-120 linear feet per minute) or other containment device for procedures which may result in the generation of aerosols or vapors containing the substance; trap released vapors containing the substance; trap released vapors to prevent their discharge with the fume hood exhaust.
c.
Personal Protection: Always avoid skin contact by using the proper gloves and long sleeves, and other appropriate protective apparel. Always wash hands immediately after working with these materials.
d.
Prevention of Spills and Incidents: Be prepared for accidents and spills. Assure that at least two people are present at all times if a compound in use is highly toxic or of unknown toxicity.
Store breakable containers of these substances in chemically resistant trays, work and mount apparatus above such trays, or cover work and storage surfaces with removable, absorbent, plastic backed paper.
If a major spill occurs outside the fume hood, evacuate the area and contact the Office of Health and Safety or the local safety authority.
e.
Non-contamination/Decontamination: Protect vacuum pumps against contamination by scrubbers or HEPA filters and vent them into the fume hood. Decontaminate vacuum pumps or other contaminated equipment, including glassware, in the fume hood before removing them from the designated area. Decontaminate the designated area before normal work is resumed there.
f.
Medical Surveillance: If using toxicologically significant quantities of such a substance on a regular basis (e.g. 3 times per week), consult the CDC facility Occupational Health physician concerning desirability of regular medical surveillance.
g.
Signs and Labels: Assure that the designated area is conspicuously marked with warning and restricted access signs and that all containers of these substances are appropriately labeled with identity and warning labels.
h.
Spills: Assure that contingency plans, equipment, and materials to minimize exposures of people and property are available in case of accident.
i.
Storage: Store containers of these chemicals only in a ventilated, limited access area in appropriately labeled, unbreakable, chemically resistant, secondary containers.
j.
Glove Boxes: For a negative pressure glove box, the ventilation rate must be at least 2 volume changes/hour and pressure at least 0.5 inches of water. For a positive pressure glove box, thoroughly check for leaks before each use. In either case, trap exit gases or filter them through a HEPA filter and then release them into the fume hood.
k.
Waste: See Section 2 of this manual, " PROPER DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL WASTE".
2.
Working with Allergens and Embryotoxins
a.
Allergens (examples: diazomethane, isocyanates, bichromates): Wear suitable gloves to prevent hand contact with allergens or substances of unknown allergic activity. Wear other protective apparel and equipment, such as respirators, as appropriate.
b.
Embryotoxins (examples: organomercurials, lead compounds, formamide): Women of child bearing age should handle these substances ONLY in a fume hood whose satisfactory performance has been confirmed. Appropriate protective apparel must be worn (especially gloves) to prevent skin contact (see CDC Manual Guide No. 11, "Exposure to Teratogenic Agents in Laboratories," Appendix B).
Review each use of these materials with the research supervisor and review the continuing uses annually or whenever a procedural change is made.
Store these substances, properly labeled, in an adequately ventilated area in an unbreakable secondary container.
Notify supervisors of all incidents of exposure or spillage and consult the CDC facility Occupational Health physician when appropriate.
B.
Laboratory Specific Operating Procedures
Place laboratory specific operating procedures for working with particularly hazardous substances, here.

Chemical Safety Manual Contents

Health and Safety Manual Contents

Office of Health and Safety, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
1600 Clifton Road N.E., Mail Stop F05 Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA
Last Modified: 1/2/97
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