CHEMICAL HYGIENE PLAN
March 28, 2008
Emergency
Telephone Numbers
CAMPUS POLICE:3111
HEALTH SERVICES:3216
ENV. SAFETY OFFICE:3756
ESO/CHO (cell phone): 978-833-7308
EMERGENCY
COORDINATOR/FACILITIES:3115
FITCHBURG POLICE: 911
OTHER OUTSIDE RESPONDERS 911
POISONCENTER:1-800-682-9211
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTIONPAGE NO.
Introduction…………………………………………………………………...... 1
1.Basic Rules and Procedures for Working with Chemicals......
A.General Rules......
(1)Avoidance of “routine” exposure......
(2)Choice of chemicals......
(3)Eating, smoking, etc......
(4)Equipment and glassware......
(5)Exiting......
(6)Horseplay......
(7)Mouth suction......
(8)Personal apparel......
(9)Personal housekeeping......
(10)Personal protection......
(11)Planning......
(12)Unattended operations......
(13)Use of hood......
(14)Vigilance......
(15)Disposal......
(16)Working alone......
B.Work with Allergens and Embryotoxins......
(1)Allergens......
(2)Embryotoxins......
C.Work with Chemicals of Moderate Chronic or High Acute Toxicity......
(1)Aim......
(2)Applicability......
(3)Location......
(4)Personal protection......
(5)Records......
(6)Prevention of spills and accidents......
D.Work with Chemicals of High Chronic Toxicity......
(1)Aim......
(2)Applicability......
(3)Approvals......
(4)Location......
(5)Personal protection......
(6)Non-contamination/Decontamination......
(7)Exiting......
(8)Housekeeping......
(9)Medical surveillance......
(10)Records......
(11)Prevention of spills and accidents......
2.Chemical Procurement, Distribution, and Storage......
A.Procurement......
(1)Chemical Container Labels......
(2)Chemical Inventory......
(3)Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)......
B.Transport of Hazardous Chemicals......
C.Stockrooms/Prep rooms......
D.Laboratory and other storage outside stock rooms and prep rooms......
(1)Flammables and Combustibles......
(2)Oxidizers......
(3)Peroxides......
(4)Toxic Chemicals......
3.Protective Apparel and Equipment......
A.General......
B.Specific Requirements......
C.Hand Protection Selection (with Selection Chart)......
D.Respirator Selection and Use......
4.Signs and Postings......
5.Housekeeping, Maintenance, and Inspections......
A.Cleaning......
B.Inspections......
C.Maintenance......
D.Access and Egress......
6.Spills and Accidents......
A.Incidental Chemical Spills......
(1)Incidental Chemical Spill Clean-up......
(2)Spill Remediation......
B.Reportable Chemical Spills......
(1)Reportable Chemical Spill Clean-up......
(2)Spill Remediation......
(3)Reporting......
C.Mixed Spills ...... 24
(1)Individual Contamination:......
(2)Clean-up......
D.General/Emergencies……………………………………………………………………26
7.Environmental Monitoring......
8.Medical Program......
A.Exposure Monitoring and Evaluation......
(1)Exposure Monitoring......
(2)Exposure Evaluation......
B.Medical Consults and Exams......
(1)General Requirements......
(2)Human Resources Requirements......
9.Information and Training Program......
A.Information......
B.Annual Training......
(1)Personnel Affected......
(2)Training Program Elements......
C.Hands-on Instruction......
D.Refresher and New Hazard Training......
E.Training Materials......
F.Training Records......
10.Waste Disposal Program......
A.General Work Practices......
B.Procedures for Handling Chemical Waste and Hazardous Waste...... 34
C.Procedures for Handling Universal Waste...... 35
D.Labeling Waste Containers...... 35
E.Removal of Hazardous Waste Containers...... 36
11.Records...... 36
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Chemical Hygiene Responsibilities……………………………………………....37
Appendix B: The Laboratory Facility…………………………………………………………..44
Appendix C: Glossary…………………………………………………………………………...49
Appendix D: Chemical Hazards………………………………………………………………...54
Appendix E: Chemical Compatibility Chart and Chemical Storage Systems…………………..59
Appendix F: Maximum Allowable Size of Containers and Portable Tanks…………………….65
Appendix G: Solvent Flammability Characteristics…………………………………………….66
Appendix H: Corrosive Chemicals……………………………………….…………………….67
Appendix I: Water Reactive Chemicals………………………………………………………..68
Appendix J: Peroxide Forming Compounds……………………………………………………69
Appendix K: Common Gases and Gas Cylinder Safety………………………………………..76
Appendix L: Partial List of Carcinogens……………………………………………………….82
Appendix M: Regulated Carcinogens…………………………………………………………..83
Appendix N: Project/Procedure Hazard Assessment/Analysis…………………………………86
Appendix O: Checklists, Forms and Procedures……………………………………………...99
Appendix P: Waste Management Information………………………………………………111
Appendix Q: Resources and Statutory / Regulatory References ……………………………112
INtRODUCTION
This Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) is designed to apply to all Fitchburg State College (FSC) employees who have received chemical hygiene and /or hazardous materials training, as defined in Appendix A (Chemical Hygiene Responsibilities). It shall also be used as a reference by other chemical users on campus, including those using photographic darkrooms and studios. As such, the term “laboratory” refers to any such room when chemicals are used. A detailed description of Laboratory Facilities can be found in Appendix B. The terms used in this Plan can be found in the Glossary located in Appendix C. Resources and Statutory/Regulatory References can be found in Appendix P.
1. Basic Rules and Procedures for Working with Chemicals
Everyone on Campus is responsible for recognizing potential hazards in his or her work or study areas. This responsibility requires understanding and familiarity with processes, maintenance of chemical and physical inventories, and periodic review of activities in the work area. A description of Chemical Hazards, as well as information on Chemical Compatibility / Chemical Storage Systems are located in Appendices D and E, respectively.
All FSC employees must be familiar with and follow the rules and procedures contained in this plan.
A.General Rules
The following apply to all work with chemicals:
(1)Avoidance of “routine” exposure
- Develop and encourage safe habits; avoid unnecessary exposure to chemicals by any route.
- Review Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) prior to using a chemical.
- Do not taste chemicals.
- Do not smell or taste chemicals in an unauthorized manner
- Inspect gloves before use.
(2)Choice of chemicals
Users of chemicals are encouraged to develop and use validated experimental procedures that replace hazardous materials with non-hazardous materials, minimize generation of hazardous wastes, or result in effective treatment of wastes to reduce or eliminate hazardous characteristics.
(3)Eating, smoking, etc.
Do not eat, drink, smoke, chew gum, or apply cosmetics in areas where laboratory chemicals are present; wash hands before conducting these activities.
Do not store or handle food or beverages for personal consumption in chemical storage areas, refrigerators, glassware or utensils which are also used for laboratory operations.
(4)Equipment and glassware
Use equipment only for its intended purpose.
Inspect equipment or laboratory apparatus for damage before use. Never use damaged equipment such as cracked glassware or equipment with frayed wiring.
Handle and store laboratory glassware with care to avoid damage; do not use damaged glassware. Use extra care with Dewar flasks and other evacuated glass apparatus; shield or wrap them to contain chemicals and fragments should implosion or explosion occur.
(5)Exiting
Wash areas of exposed skin well before leaving the laboratory. A sink, soap and towel will be provided in each chemical use area.
(6)Horseplay
Avoid practical jokes or other behavior which might confuse, startle or distract another worker.
(7)Mouth suction
Do not use mouth suction for pipeting or starting a siphon. Always use a pipette bulb or other mechanical pipette filling device.
(8)Personal apparel
Confine long hair and loose clothing. Sandals, perforated shoes, or absorbent footwear are not appropriate footwear.
Wear clothing that covers both the arms and legs. Wear a lab coat. Do not wear jewelry.
(9)Personal housekeeping
All work areas, including benches and floors must be kept clean, dry, and uncluttered with chemicals and equipment being properly labeled and stored; clean up the work area on completion of an operation or at the end of each day.
Access to emergency equipment, electrical panels, emergency shut offs (e.g. gas), fire extinguishers, utility controls, showers, eyewash stations, and laboratory exits must never be blocked. Three square feet of unoccupied area is required around each.
(10)Personal protection
Wear appropriate safety goggles when handling potentially hazardous chemicals or engaging in processes that may endanger the eyes. Safety glasses with side shields may not be appropriate for protection with some chemicals.
Wear appropriate gloves when the potential for contact with toxic materials exists, with glove material compatible with chemicals in use; inspect the gloves before each use, wash them before removal, and replace them periodically.
Chemical resistant aprons and laboratory coats with long sleeves shall be worn buttoned (snaps are preferred). Use any other protective and emergency apparel and equipment as appropriate.
Avoid use of contact lenses in the laboratory unless necessary; if they are used, inform supervisor so special precautions can be taken.
Remove laboratory coats immediately on significant contamination.
Refer to CHP Section 3, for more detailed requirements concerning protective apparel.
(11)Planning
Seek information and advice about hazards, plan appropriate protective procedures, and plan positioning of equipment before beginning any new operation.
a.Engineering Controls
Use an appropriate laboratory hood if material is volatile or the process may produce aerosols.
Use appropriate storage containers for raw materials and waste materials (e.g. approved metal flammable safety cans and flammable storage cabinets). (See Appendix F for Maximum Allowable Sizes of Containers and Portable Tanks.)
b.Administrative Controls
Have an appropriate Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) available for chemicals and procedures. A chemical spill and waste disposal protocol must be included in the SOP. See Appendix N, and Appendix O (part 5) for guidance on developing SOPs. Ensure that all laboratory staff and students are familiar with SOPs. An SOP shall be available for every process and experiment performed in a laboratory, studio or darkroom which shall set out each step of the process and experiment and set out any safety precautions required beyond the safety precautions established by this Plan. If there is no SOP available, lab workers must consult with the department chair prior to beginning any work with chemicals or procedures.
Use appropriate hand protection and wash hands and any other potentially exposed skin immediately after working with chemicals.
Ensure all chemical containers are appropriately labeled (see section 2(A)(1)).
If possible, cover work surfaces with absorbent plastic backed paper to simplify clean-up of any spilled chemicals.
Have an appropriate waste disposal plan for chemicals.
Have an appropriate spill plan for chemicals.
If required by Hazard Assessment/Analysis, as set out in Appendix N, conduct exposure monitoring and medical consultations.
(12)Unattended operations
All chemical containers, including reaction vessels and process equipment, must be labeled.
A sign stating “Let Run” (or equivalent) must be posted near the process and on the laboratory door. This sign will include a contact name for person responsible for operation.
Provide for the containment of hazard substances in the event of failure of a utility service, such as cooling water. Additional controls are needed for particularly hazardous chemicals.
(13)Use of hood
Use the hood for operations which might result in release of hazardous chemical vapors or dust.
As a rule of thumb, use a hood or other local ventilation device when working with any appreciably volatile substance with a Threshold Limit Value (TLV) of less than 50 ppm or the equivalent Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL).
Confirm adequate hood performance before use; when not utilizing the exhaust hoods, cover sash to a point 6” above work surface to keep the room under negative pressure; windows and doors to the laboratory should be kept closed; keep materials stored in hoods to a minimum and do not allow them to block vents or air flow.
(14)Vigilance
Be alert to unsafe conditions and see that they are corrected when detected.
(15)Disposal
Deposit chemical wastes in the appropriate, labeled receptacles and follow the disposal procedures described in CHP Section 10.
(16)Working alone
Employees should avoid working alone, when conducting research and experiments involving hazardous substances and procedures.
a.Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories:
A college representative trained in chemical safety (faculty member, laboratory technician or other person chosen by the Department Chairperson) must be present in the laboratory at all times when undergraduate students are conducting experiments.
b.Independent Study and Graduate Students:
Students who need to work alone must receive permission from their advisor prior to working alone. If students have approval from their advisor to work alone after normal working hours, they shall contact FSC Campus Police to make them aware of their presence in the facility. FSC Campus Police shall make periodic checks of any laboratory having lone workers. Students working alone should plan a route of escape in case of an emergency. Students working alone should always notify a responsible person about their location and anticipated time of arrival at home or elsewhere. Those persons should be asked to contact the FSC Campus Police within a reasonable time after which the person does not return.
c.Research Laboratories:
Personnel with special need to work alone after hours shall contact FSC Campus Police to make them aware of their presence in the facility. FSC Campus Police shall make periodic checks of any laboratory having lone workers. Laboratory personnel should plan a route of escape in case of emergency. Personnel working alone shall also notify a responsible person about their location and anticipated time of arrival at home or elsewhere. Those persons should be asked to contact the FSC Campus Police within a reasonable time after which the person did not return.
B.Work with Allergens and Embryotoxins
(1)Allergens
(examples: diazomethane, isocyanates, bichromates)
Wear suitable gloves to prevent hand contact with allergens or substances of unknown allergenic activity. Chemical properties or chemical family of the substance will determine which glove type is required.
(2)Embryotoxins
(examples: organomercurials, lead compounds, formamide)
If you are a woman of childbearing age, handle these substances only in a hood whose satisfactory performance has been confirmed, using appropriate protective apparel (especially gloves) to prevent skin contact.
Review each use of these materials with the research supervisor and review 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 spills; consult a qualified physician when appropriate.
C.Work with Chemicals of Moderate Chronic or High Acute Toxicity
Medium hazard operations are those where any of the following types of chemicals or biological hazards are used:
- Flammable or Combustible Liquids or solids (see Appendix G)
- Corrosive or Reactive Chemicals (see Appendices H and I)
- Contact Hazards
- Heavy metals
- Neurotoxins
- Peroxide or Peroxide forming (see Appendix J)
- Lachrymator
- Sensitizer
- Unstable
Examples: diisopropylflurophosphate, hydrofluoric acid, hydrogen cyanide.
(1)Aim
To minimize exposure to these toxic substances by any route using all reasonable precautions.
(2)Applicability
These precautions are appropriate for substances with moderate chronic or high acute toxicity used in significant quantities.
(3)Location
Use and store these substances only in areas of restricted access with special warning signs.
Always use a hood (previously evaluated to confirm adequate performance with a face velocity of at least 60 linear feet per minute) or other containment device for procedures which may result in the generation of aerosols or vapors containing the substance.
(4)Personal protection
Always avoid skin contact by use of gloves and long sleeves (and other protective apparel as appropriate). Always wash hands and arms immediately after working with these materials.
(5)Records
Maintain records of the amounts of these materials on hand, amounts used, and the names of the workers involved.
(6)Prevention of spills and accidents
Be prepared for accidents and spills.
Assure that at least 2 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; also 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 hood, evacuate the area; assure that cleanup personnel wear suitable protective apparel and equipment.
D.Work with Chemicals of High Chronic Toxicity
High hazard operations include work with particularly hazardous chemicals that are identified as:
- Carcinogens (see Appendix L for a Partial List of Carcinogens and Appendix M for Regulated Carcinogens)
- Reproductive toxins
- Highly Toxic
- Severe allergens
- Severe Corrosives
- Explosives
- Pyrophorics
- Strong oxidizers
- Strong sensitizers
(Examples: dimethylmercury and nickel carbonyl, benzo-a-pyrene, N-nitrosodiethylamine, other human carcinogens or substances with high carcinogenic potency in animals.)
(1)Aim
To minimize exposure to these toxic substances by any route using all reasonable precautions.
(2)Applicability
These precautions are appropriate for substances with high chronic toxicity used in significant quantities.
(3)Approvals
Prepare a plan for use and disposal of these materials and obtain the approval of the Department Chairperson and the Environmental Safety Officer.
(4)Location
Conduct all transfers and work with these substances in a "controlled area": a restricted access hood 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.
Assure that the controlled 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.
Store containers of these chemicals only in a ventilated, limited access area in appropriately labeled, unbreakable, chemically resistant, secondary containers.
(5)Personal protection
Always avoid skin contact by use of gloves and long sleeves (and other protective apparel as appropriate). Always wash hands and arms immediately after working with these materials.
(6)Non-contamination/Decontamination
Protect vacuum pumps against contamination by scrubbers or HEPA filters and vent them into the hood. Decontaminate vacuum pumps or other contaminated equipment, including glassware, in the hood before removing them from the controlled area.
Decontaminate the controlled area before normal work is resumed there.
(7)Exiting
On leaving a controlled area, remove any protective apparel (placing it in an appropriate, labeled container) and thoroughly wash hands, forearms, face, and neck.
(8)Housekeeping
Use a wet mop or a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter instead of dry sweeping if the toxic substance was a dry powder.
(9)Medical surveillance
If using toxicologically significant quantities of such a substance on a regular basis (e.g., 3 times per week), consult a qualified physician concerning desirability of regular medical surveillance.