Chemical Hygiene Implemenation Guidelines
Harvard University's Chemical Hygiene Plan has been designed to assist laboratory personnel in the identification and implementation of safety practices that will protect laboratory personnel from the hazards of working with chemicals in the laboratory. This plan is designed to be used as a template for customization by laboratory staff, and is required by Federal law.
Getting Started
Designate a Chemical Hygiene Officer(s) (CHO) for each lab, research group, department or faculty.
Identify the lab areas for which each CHO is responsible.
Identify location(s) where the Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) will be accessible to laboratory staff.
Identify location(s) where Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) will be accessible to laboratory staff.
Complete the Laboratory Summary for each lab, research area, faculty or department for which a CHO has been designated.
Review laboratory operations to determine if additional regulatory requirements or specific safety procedures/policies exist or need to be developed. EH&S is available to provide technical assistance.
Customize the CHP for each lab, research group, department or faculty ensuring that:
specific roles and responsibilities are documented in the CHP (Part III), if they differ from those identified in Part I .
specific safety procedures, policies and/or regulatory requirements are documented in the CHP (Part III), if they differ from those provided in Part II.
Train the CHOs regarding their responsibilities to implement the CHP.
Train laboratory personnel in the requirements of the CHP.
Establish a recordkeeping system to maintain training records.
Conduct an annual review and update of the CHP. EH&S is available to provide technical assistance.
Establish a system to communicate changes in safety procedures and updates to the CHP.
