The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) Laboratory Standard (29 CFR 1910.1450) requires the development and implementation of a chemical hygiene plan (See Appendix A of this plan).  Specifically, there must be a written and employee-accessible program that protects employees from health hazards associated with hazardous chemicals used in the laboratory.  This Dartmouth College Laboratory Safety Manual functions as the chemical hygiene plan and applies to laboratory work areas while the Dartmouth College Hazard Communication Program applies to non-laboratory chemical use on campus.

Although the Laboratory Standard provides some compliance flexibility, the Chemical Hygiene Plan must address specific areas. These areas include exposure monitoring, employee information and training, medical consultations and examinations, hazard identification, use of personal protective equipment, and recordkeeping.

In addition to the laboratory standard there are several other compliance standards which need to be considered in the laboratory.

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and NH State Hazardous Waste Regulations
• Radiation Protection rules through NH Radiological Health Section
• Fire and Life Safety Codes through the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), Hanover or Lebanon
• Biological Safety via National Institutes of Health (NIH) Guidelines
• Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
• College and hospital policies
• Consensus standards

The Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) provides advice and guidance to the Dartmouth Community on occupational safety, research safety, and environmental protection issues.  EHS manages the College's chemical, biological, and radiological use and plays an essential role in emergency preparedness and response.

EHS also conducts inspections, assessments and training on a number of topics to ensure compliance with pertinent regulatory requirements and an understanding of current and/or potential workplace hazards.

FULL Chemical Hygiene Document (75 pages)

Selected sections of the Chemical Hygiene Plan

• Table of Contents
  • Introduction
• Definitions
• Regulatory Background
  • Responsibilities
  • Minors and Volunteers Working in the Laboratory
  • Registration of Hazardous Chemical Work wit EHS - BioRaft
• Minimum Requirements in Dartmouth College Laboratories
  • Information and Training
  • Safety Data Sheets
  • Labeling Containers in the Laboratory
• Personal Protective Equipment
  • Safe Storage and Disposal of Hazardous Chemicals
  • Emergency Procedures
  • First Aid for Chemical Contamination
  • Procedures for Power Outages or Service Interruptions
  • Air Monitoring and Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals
  • Special Note on Pregnancy
  • Medical Consultation
  • Services Provided by EHS (Surveys, Audits)
  • Services Provided by Facilities (Fume Hoods, Lab Ventilation)
• Working with Particularly Hazardous Substances
  • General Procedures for High Hazard Substances
  • Regulated Carcinogens
  • Formaldehyde Use in the Lab
  • Protocols for Acute Toxins and Potentially Unstable Materials
  • Standard Operating Procedure for Handling Pyrophoric Materials
  • Solvent Purification and Distillation
  • Nanoparticles in the Laboratory
  • Select Agent Toxin and Biological Toxin Work
• Controlled Substances
  • TSCA - The Toxic Substances Control Act
  • Chemical Hygiene Plan Evaluation and Recordkeeping
• Appendix A - OSHA Fact Sheet, Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories
• Appendix B - Laboratory Safety Survey Checklist
• Appendix C - Documentation of Training, The Sign in Sheet
• Appendix D - Template for High Hazard Chemical Work
• Appendix E - DHS CFAT, Chemicals of Interest (COI) List
• Appendix F - High Hazard Chemicals
  • Carcinogens, Reproductive Toxins, Highly Toxic Chemicals
  • Toxins of Biological Origin
  • Working with and Disposing of Biological Toxins
  • Poisonous Gasses and Compressed Liquids
  • OSHA Regulated Carcinogens
  • Shock Sensitive and Peroxide Forming Chemicals