UAMS ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDE

NUMBER: 11.4.19
DATE: 10/6/98
REVISION: 10/11/2004, 9/1/2007

PURPOSE

1. The purpose of this policy is to provide a safe and healthy work environment for all laboratory employees at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Laboratory workers include classified and unclassified personnel, graduate students, and student employees. UAMS has developed a policy that implements the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Lab Safety Standard 29 CFR 1910.1450. This standard applies to all UAMS on campus facilities engaged in the laboratory use of hazardous chemicals. Although not officially covered by OSHA standards, we strongly urge the colleges to adopt this plan for students in laboratory settings.
2. This rule does not apply in those laboratory uses of hazardous chemicals that present no potential for employee exposure. Examples are: the "dip and read" test where a reagent strip is dipped into the specimen and the results are interpreted by comparing the color reaction to a color chart; and the use of completely self-contained commercially prepared kits.
3. Part I of this policy, which is found in the UAMS Administrative Guide, implements the Chemical Hygiene Program. Part II outlines the UAMS Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP). Copies of Part II will be maintained at the office of Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) and on the OH&S Web Page. Questions regarding this policy may be directed to OH&S at 686-5536.

 SCOPE

All UAMS employees, faculty, students and staff.

POLICY:

 

Each department shall carry out the provisions of a written Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) that will:

1. Protect employees from health hazards associated with hazardous chemicals in that laboratory.
2. Protect students from health hazards associated with hazardous chemicals in that laboratory.
3. Keep chemical exposures within limits established by OSHA and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists

RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

Responsibility for chemical hygiene rests at all levels including:

1. The Chancellor, who provides necessary support for chemical safety at UAMS.
2. The Department Chair/Head, who is responsible for chemical safety in their department and supporting implementation of programs, practices and procedures to achieve chemical safety, including requirements of the chemical hygiene plan.
3. The Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) in the Department of Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) whose responsibilities include:

            a. Review and update of the Chemical Hygiene Plan.

            b. Develop and conduct training and information programs on laboratory safety to promote safe handling of hazardous materials.

      c. Provide technical assistance to investigators and laboratory staff on issues of laboratory safety.

      d. Review application of chemical hygiene practices and procedures through periodic audits of laboratories.

      e. Investigate reported laboratory incidents and recommend corrective action to reduce potential for recurrence.

      f. Insure employee chemical exposure monitoring is conducted when necessary.

      g. Assist construction project directors in the design and renovation of adequate facilities.

 

4. The Principal Investigator (PI)/Laboratory Supervisor, has specific responsibilities for chemical hygiene in the laboratory that include:

      a. Awareness of hazards associated with chemicals used and to inform laboratory staff of these hazards.

      b. Select and employ laboratory practices and engineering controls to minimize the potential for exposure to hazardous chemicals.

      c. Develop written standard operating procedures (SOP’s) for each procedure     involving hazardous substances to assure work practices, engineering controls and personal protective equipment are in place in order to reduce the potential for exposure to the lowest level practical. Procedures established by manufacturers or in text books can suffice as SOP’s as long as they are identified as such and are kept with all other SOP’s.

      d. Ensure that laboratory staff receives laboratory safety training and employs practices and procedures identified in the standard operating procedures of each protocol.

      e. Ensure the repair of unsafe items or their removal from service immediately.

 

5.  The Laboratory Employee/Staff is responsible for safe use of chemicals in laboratories and following prescribed practices and procedures to minimize risk, as well as, being aware of information in Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for chemicals used in lab studies or procedures. In addition, the employee shall immediately report to the Principal Investigator or Laboratory Supervisor all facts pertaining to accidents involving potential exposure to hazardous materials.

 

6. The Student is responsible for performing only those laboratory operations set by the instructor.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE: ________________________________  DATE: _________________________