Basic Documentation

Table Of Contents
Laboratory Ventilation Codes and Standards
Siemens Industry, Inc. 16
Laboratory Safety
Term Definition Commentary
Hazard
Assessment
Chemical
Hygiene Plan
U.S. OSHA, 29 CFR, Part 1910, Occupational Safety and Health Standards,
Subpart Z, Toxic and Hazardous Substances, 1910.1450, A:
1. It is prudent to minimize all chemical exposures. Because few laboratory chemicals
are without hazards, general precautions for handling all laboratory chemicals should
be adopted, rather than specific guidelines for particular chemicals. Skin contact with
chemicals should always be avoided as the cardinal rule.
2. 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.
ASHRAE, 2011 Handbook - HVAC Applications, Laboratories, Pg. 16.2
Hazard Assessment:
Before the laboratory is designed, the owner’s designated safety officers should
perform a comprehensive hazard assessment which must be completed before the
laboratory can be designed. These safety officers include, but are not limited to, the
chemical hygiene officer, radiation safety officer, biological safety officer, and fire and
loss prevention official. The hazard assessment should be incorporated into the
chemical hygiene plan, radiation safety plan, and biological safety protocols.
U.S. OSHA, 29 CFR, Part 1910, Occupational Safety and Health Standards,
Subpart Z, Toxic and Hazardous Substances, Standard 1910.1450 (e)
When hazardous chemicals as defined by this standard are used in the workplace,
the employer shall develop and carry out the provisions of a written Chemical
Hygiene Plan which is:
Capable of protecting employees from health hazards associated with hazardous
chemicals in that laboratory and
Capable of keeping exposures below the limits specified.
The employer shall review and evaluate the effectiveness of the Chemical Hygiene
Plan at least annually and update it as necessary.
American National Standard for Laboratory Ventilation ANSI/AIHA Z9.5-2003
AIHA 2.1. Management shall establish a Laboratory Ventilation Management Plan to
ensure proper selection, operation, use, and maintenance of laboratory ventilation
equipment.
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By law, employers are required to actively
manage safety in the laboratories. Not only do
they need to write a plan, they must carry it
out and verify that it’s working. This is a
continuing responsibility.
The organization’s responsibility does not end
with design or procurement. It extends
throughout day-to-day usage and
maintenance.