CHP Main
Instructions

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11

Appendix I
Appendix II
Appendix III
Appendix IV
Appendix V
Appendix VI
Appendix VII
Appendix VIII
Appendix IX
Appendix X
Appendix XI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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CHAPTER 6
EMPLOYEE INFORMATION AND TRAINING

All individuals who work in laboratories who may be exposed to hazardous chemicals must be apprised of the hazards of chemicals present in their work area. THIS INFORMATION AND TRAINING AS OUTLINED BELOW MUST BE PROVIDED BEFORE INITIAL ASSIGNMENT AND BEFORE NEW EXPOSURE SITUATIONS. Equipment necessary for the safe handling of hazardous substances must also be provided. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR TO ENSURE THAT ALL LABORATORY WORKERS HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TRAINED.

Occupational Health and Safety Department personnel provide mandatory UK Chemical Hygiene Plan/ Laboratory Safety classes every month as well as an online version. Information can be found on our training web page. This class informs lab workers and principal investigators of the general UK Lab Safety policies and defines the roles and responsibilities of all people in the lab. However, training specific for the particular lab where an employee is assigned is the responsibility of that employee's supervisor. The supervisor must determine the frequency of refresher information and training. Also, special hazardous materials training is mandatory for anyone who will be generating hazardous waste (Hazardous Materials Management 323-6280).

Information

Laboratory Workers must be informed of the location and availability of the following:

  • "Occupational Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories" (the OSHA Lab Standard - See Appendix I)

  • This Chemical Hygiene Plan

  • Reference materials on chemical safety (including material safety data sheets)

  • Permissible exposure limits for OSHA regulated substances, or if there is no applicable OSHA standard, the recommended exposure limits or threshold limit value may be provided; (contact Occupational Health and Safety, 257-3827)

  • Signs and symptoms associated with exposure to the hazardous chemicals found in the lab.

Training

Laboratory Worker training must include:

  • Detection methods that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical. Examples of detection methods include visual appearance, odor, detector papers, and an understanding of chemical monitoring devices

  • Physical and health hazards of the chemicals

  • Hazardous waste training

  • The work practices, personal protective equipment, and emergency procedures to be used to ensure that the employee may protect himself/herself from overexposure to hazardous chemicals

  • Medical consultations and examinations

The manufacturer's material safety data sheets (MSDSs) will generally contain much of the above information needed to comply with the information and training requirements of the OSHA Lab Standard. Laboratory Supervisors and employees should understand the relevant MSDSs and/or other comparable literature on the hazardous chemicals that are used or stored in their laboratory. The employee’s supervisor must provide additional training for specific lab hazards.

Copies of MSDSs may be obtained from the chemical supplier, via Internet or from Occupational Health and Safety. Individual departments or laboratories are strongly encouraged to maintain their own files of reference materials.

Please include training records in Appendix III.


OHS | EHS

Last Modified on 09-13-2002
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