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Updated January 2003 Chemical Hygiene Plan Working with potentially hazardous chemicals is an everyday occurrence in a laboratory setting. Hazardous situations can occur if employees are not educated in general chemical safety, toxicological information, and procedures for handling and storage for the chemicals they are using. This section of the laboratory manual addresses these educational components and spells out specific protocols to minimize hazardous chemical exposures. There are four major modes of entry to chemicals: inhalation, skin absorption, injection, and ingestion. Inhalation and skin absorption are the predominant occupational exposures you may expect to encounter in the laboratory and will be discussed in some detail. Accidental injection of chemicals can be eliminated by good laboratory safety practices. Accidental ingestion of chemicals can be eliminated by a combination of good laboratory and hygienic practices such as washing hands and prohibiting foods, drinks, cosmetics, and tobacco products in the laboratory workplace (see Section 2.1 - "General Safety and Operational Rules"). All potential exposures, i.e., inhalation, skin absorption, injection, and ingestion, are discussed in the Material Safety Data Sheets available for each chemical or product. The hundreds of chemicals that employees are routinely exposed to during the course of their work in the laboratory can be divided into three main types: volatile solvents, corrosives, and toxic solids. The particular hazards associated with exposure to these materials, and ways to avoid them, are discussed in detail in the next section, "Basic Chemical Classifications." |
Chemical Hygiene Plan  Basic Chemical Classifications |
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