Requirements for Chemical Hygiene Plan

The purpose of a Chemical Hygiene Plan is to have a set of guidelines that employees can access and consult for procedures.  The Chemical Hygiene plan is to list standard operating procedures concerning the processes and tactics for carrying out tasks when dealing with hazardous chemicals.  A hazardous chemical is any chemical being used in the workplace that can cause any sort of harm to a person or cause any other damage.  Almost every production industry or lab uses some form of hazardous chemicals.  Many industries may use hundreds, even thousands of chemicals, each with there own unique set of dangers.  The goal of the CHP is to reduce exposure to employees of these potentially hazardous chemicals. 

This includes administering controls like personal protective equipment etc.   It is required that employees are aware of the location of the CHP.  The chemical hygiene plan should list permissible exposure limits (PELs) if applicable.  As well as the signs and symptoms associated with exposure to that particular chemical. The Chemical Hygiene Plan should list how to safety handle, store, and use the chemicals being used in the facility, as well as the proper way of disposing that particular chemical.  The Chemical Hygiene Plan should also list were the SDS’s on those chemicals that are being used can be found; in the instance someone needs to find further information.  In some cases Chemical Hygiene Plans will list what actions need prior approval by either an employer or by a separate entities before they are carried out.  This can be for many reasons, like to prevent an environmental release.  The chemical hygiene plan also designates the proper places to either deal with certain chemicals or to conduct certain processes.  An example of this would be mixing two chemicals udder a designated fume hood.  Or having a designated painting room with a separate ventilation system.  Many actions in a laboratory or occupational setting can be harmful if not carried out in the correct place, so it is crucial employees are aware of this section of the Chemical Hygiene Plan. 

In the blood borne pathogen lab at OU, all of these factors in the Chemical Hygiene Plan are relevant.  Of course we are dealing with students oppose to “employees” but the concept is the same.  If any thing the fact that we are dealing with students in this case is a greater reason for concern.  Because students are going to have a lot less experience than someone who is actually working full time in a lab.  Working with diseases in human blood is especially dangerous, because you could infect yourself.  So in that scenario, it is important that the Chemical Hygiene Plan is very stressed, and is well known amongst the students, it is also very important that the person who heads the lab enforces what is written down in the Chemical Hygiene Plan.  There is no point in having a Chemical Hygiene Plan if it is not enforced; having a safety culture in the lab is very crucial to ensuring the safety of those who are working in the lab.