Laboratories

OSHA, recognizing the unique characteristics of the laboratory workplace, has tailored a standard for occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories. This standard is often referred to as the "Laboratory Standard". Under this standard, a laboratory is required to produce a Chemical Hygiene Plan which addresses the specific hazards found in its location, and its approach to them.

Laboratory hazards are addressed in specific standards for the general industry.

Standards

This section highlights OSHA standards, standard interpretations (official letters of interpretation of the standards), and national consensus standards related to laboratories.

OSHA

Note: Twenty-five states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA-approved State Plans and have adopted their own standards and enforcement policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards applicable to this topic or may have different enforcement policies.

General Industry (29 CFR 1910)

• 1910.132, General requirements [related topic page]
  
  
• 1910.134, Respiratory protection [related topic page]

• 1910.1000, Air contaminants
  • Table Z-1, Limits for air contaminants
    
• 1910.1200, Hazard communication [related topic page]
  
  
• 1910.1450, Occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories
  • Appendix A, National research council recommendations concerning chemical hygiene in laboratories (Non-mandatory)
  • Appendix B, References (Non-mandatory)

Standard Interpretations

• Material safety data sheet requirements for experimental chemical mixtures that are shipped off-site. (2004, February 5).
  
  
• Applicable OSHA standards and safety considerations for microwave device use in a laboratory. (2002, August 8).
  
  
• Labeling requirements under the HAZCOM and Laboratory standards; use of safe needle devices. (2001, January 11). Answers questions regarding the applicability to clinical laboratories of OSHA's Laboratory Standard, Hazard Communication Standard, and Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.
  
  
• Clarification regarding the frequency with which showers must be tested. (1995, June 21). Provides clarification regarding the frequency with which safety showers must be tested.
  
  
• Clarification of "laboratory" and "process" relative to process safety management standard. (1992, June 24). Defines what a laboratory and a process is, and clarifies when the process safety management (PSM) standard applies.
  
  
• Implementation of a comprehensive chemical hygiene plan for lab operations. (1991, April 24). States that if all requirements of the laboratory standard are met, compliance with the hazard communication standard with respect to coverage of laboratories would also be achieved.
  
  
• Time and resources needed to comply with Lab Standard is justifiable. (1991, April 19). Laboratories that do not implement work practices and procedures which are at least as effective as those prescribed by this standard may be risking employees' health and safety.
  
  
• Quality control laboratories are not expected to be covered under the Laboratory Standard. (1990, October 11). Clarifies which laboratories are covered under the laboratory standard.
  
  
• Incorporation of the Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) into current Hazard Communication and/or other related manuals. (1990, September 7). Discusses the incorporation of the CHP into the hazard communication or other related manuals.
  
  
• Laboratory Standard does not cover routine tests supporting production but non-routine, non-production-related tests are covered. (1990, August 8). Clarifies when laboratories are covered under the laboratory standard.
  
  
• Interpretation of "high degree of acute toxicity" under the laboratory standard. (1990, July 30). Describes some basic differences and similarities between the hazard communication standard (HCS) and the laboratory standard.
  
  
• Search all available standard interpretations.

National Consensus

Note: These are NOT OSHA regulations. However, they do provide guidance from their originating organizations related to worker protection.

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

• Z358.1-2004, Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment. Contains provisions regarding the design, performance, installation, use and maintenance of various types of emergency equipment (showers, eye washes, drench hoses, etc.). In addition to these provisions, there are some general considerations that apply to all emergency equipment.

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)

• Z9.5-2003, Laboratory Ventilation. This authoritative publication is intended for use by employers, architects, occupational and environmental health and safety professionals, and others concerned with the control of exposure to airborne contaminants. The book includes new chapters on performance tests, air cleaning, preventative maintenance, and work practices. It also highlights the standard's requirements and offers good practices for laboratories to follow. The book also offers referenced standards and publications, guidance on selecting laboratory stack designs, an audit form for ANSI Z9.5, and a sample table of contents for a laboratory ventilation management plan.

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)

• 110-1995, Method of Testing the Performance of Laboratory Hoods. Specifies a quantitative test procedure for evaluation of a laboratory fume hood. A tracer gas is released at prescribed rates and positions in the hood and monitored in the breathing zone of a mannequin at the face of the hood. Based on the release rate of the tracer gas and average exposure to the mannequin, a performance rating is achieved.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

• 45, Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals, 2004 Edition. Applies to laboratories in which hazardous chemicals are handled or stored.

International Code Council (ICC)

• Codes, Standards & Guidelines

Hazard Recognition

Many workers are unaware of the potential hazards in their work environment, which makes them more vulnerable to injury. The following references provide links to indices of chemical hazards associated with laboratories.

• Laboratory Safety Guidance [490 KB PDF^*, 52 pages]. OSHA Booklet.
  
  
• Laboratory Safety – OSHA Laboratory Standard [366 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA Fact Sheet.
  
  
• Laboratory Safety – Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) [366 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA Fact Sheet.
  
  
• Laboratory Safety – Labeling and Transfer of Chemicals [144 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA QuickFacts.
  
  

Specific Hazards

• Chemical Hazards
• Laboratory Safety – Latex Allergy [1 MB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA QuickFacts.
• Laboratory Safety – Chemical Fume Hoods [150 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA QuickFacts.
  
• Biological Hazards
• Laboratory Safety – Working with Small Animals [151 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA QuickFacts.
• Laboratory Safety – Biosafety Cabinets (BSCs) [367 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA Fact Sheet.
  
• Physical Hazards
• Laboratory Safety – Noise [365 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA Fact Sheet.
• Laboratory Safety – Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Laboratories [369 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA Fact Sheet.
  
• Safety Hazards
• Laboratory Safety – Autoclaves /Sterilizers [449 KB PDF^*, 1 page]. OSHA QuickFacts.
• Laboratory Safety – Centrifuges [135 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA QuickFacts.
• Laboratory Safety – Cryogens and Dry Ice [147 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA QuickFacts.
• Laboratory Safety – Electrical Hazards [130 KB PDF^*, 1 page]. OSHA QuickFacts.

Exposure Evaluation

The following references provide links to indices of sampling and analytical methods used to evaluate exposures in the workplace.

• Chemical Sampling Information. OSHA. Presents, in concise form, data on a large number of chemical substances that may be encountered in industrial hygiene investigations.
  
  
• NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM). US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-113, (1994, August). Provides individual analytical methods, listed by chemical name or method number.
  
  
• Dermal Exposure. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Possible Solutions

Employers are required to develop and carry out a written Chemical Hygiene Plan that addresses all aspects of the Laboratory Standard. Until a written plan is fully implemented, the laboratory is regulated under the general industry standards. The following resources provide information about establishing chemical hygiene plans and safety practices that can aid in protecting laboratory workers.

General References

• Laboratory Safety Guidance [490 KB PDF^*, 52 pages]. OSHA Booklet.
  
  
• Laboratory Safety – OSHA Laboratory Standard [366 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA Fact Sheet.
  
  
• Laboratory Safety – Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) [366 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA Fact Sheet.
  
  
• Laboratory Safety – Labeling and Transfer of Chemicals [144 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA QuickFacts.
  
  

Chemical Hygiene Plans

A chemical hygiene plan contains work practices, procedures, and policies that provide a safe and healthy environment. There are numerous chemical hygiene plans available on the Internet. Most of these are from colleges, universities, and governmental facilities. A few examples are listed below:

• School Chemistry Laboratory Safety Guide. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-107, (2006, October). Also available as a 1 MB PDF, 80 pages.
• What is a Chemical Hygiene Plan? Defines a chemical hygiene plan as a "written program stating the policies, procedures, and responsibilities that serve to protect employees from the health hazards associated with the hazardous chemicals used in that particular workplace".
  
• Environmental Management & Initiatives. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).
  
  
• Chemical Hygiene Plans at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), (2007, July).
  
  
• Chemical Hygiene Plan for Chemistry Laboratories [146 KB DOC, 37 pages]. Illinois State University, (1995, January 13).
  
  
• Laboratory Safety Manual. Oklahoma State University, (2003). Also available as a 567 KB PDF, 267 pages.
  
  
• UVM Chemical Hygiene Plan. The University of Vermont (UVM), (2001, November).

Safety Practices

• Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL), 5th Edition. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH), (2007, February). Also available as a 2 MB PDF, 422 pages.
  
  
• Prudent Practices in the Laboratory, Handling and Disposal of Chemicals. National Academy of Sciences, (1995). Provides an authoritative reference on the handling and disposal of chemicals at the laboratory level. It is an update of the document which provided a basis for 29 CFR 1910.1450 Appendix A. Portions of the document are available online.
  
  
• Biological Safety: Principles and Practices. Fleming DO Hunt DL (eds). 3rd ed. ASM Press:2000:806 pages. Covers the epidemiology of laboratory-associated infections.
  
  
• Hazard Communication. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
  
  
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
  
  
• Process Safety Management (PSM). OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Additional Information

Related Safety and Health Topics Pages

• Hazardous and Toxic Substances
  
  
• Sampling and Analysis

Training

• Laboratory PPE. Oklahoma State University (OSU), (2003). Online training module to discuss basic personal protective equipment (PPE) used in laboratories.

Other Resources

• Compliance Assistance Quick Start. OSHA. By following this step-by-step guide, you can identify many of the major OSHA requirements and guidance materials that may apply to your workplace. Small and new businesses may find Quick Start helpful as an introduction to the compliance assistance resources on OSHA's website.
  • Health Care Industry. This module applies to employers and employees in the health care field.
    
• Nationally Recognized Testing Labs (NRTL). OSHA. The NRTL Program which is part of OSHA's Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management (TSEM), Office of Technical Programs and Coordination Activities (OTPCA), recognizes private sector organizations as NRTLs.
  
  
• Laboratory Health and Safety Committee. American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). One of the goals of the AIHA Laboratory Health and Safety Committee is to collect and make available a compilation of laboratory safety incidents which may be used by health and safety professionals, faculty, supervisors, students, and any others who may benefit from these "lessons learned". They have attempted to list the key safety and health teaching concepts/principles for each of the incidents listed.
  
  
• Biosafety Links. American Biological Safety Association (ABSA). Promotes biosafety as a scientific discipline and serves the growing needs of biosafety professionals throughout the world.


• American Chemical Society. Division of Chemical Health and Safety.