3.0 The Chemical and Biological Safety Program

MSDSs

3.0 THE CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SAFETY PROGRAM

3.1 Basis for the Chemical and Biological Safety Program
The Chemical and Biological Safety Program consolidates the compliance programs for the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, the OSHA Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories Standard (the "Laboratory Standard"), the OSHA Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, recombinant DNA guidelines, and other general laboratory safety programs.

3.2 Safety Desk Book
Chemical and Biological Safety Program documents are designed to be compiled into a Safety Desk Book. The Safety Desk Book should be readily available and easily acessible via online access or in hard copy form. The complete Safety Desk Book includes these sections, if applicable:

Allergic Reactions to Latex Gloves
Bloodborne Pathogens Program
Chemical and Biological Safety in Laboratories
Hazard Communication Program
emergency procedures
First Aid Kit Policy and Guidelines for Laboratories
Radiation Safety Handbook
Respiratory Protection Program
Recombinant DNA Safety Program
safety equipment inspection records
Laboratory Safety Profile and correspondence associated with all safety documentation
The Chemical Fume Hood Handbook

Safety Desk Books shall be located at the department level. The department-level Safety Desk Book shall be established by the head of each department where hazardous materials are used. The laboratory-level Safety Desk Book is strongly recommended and should contain, at minimum, the Laboratory Safety Profile, department evacuation plans, and any laboratory-specific procedures and protocols necessary to protect the health and safety of laboratory employees and ensure compliance with the rules and regulations. Safety Desk Book binders are distributed on request by ORS. This information can also be made readily available with online access.

3.3 Laboratory Safety Profile
The Laboratoy Safety Profile is the laboratory-specific chemical hygiene plan required by the OSHA Laboratory Standard for research labs, teaching labs, and common facilities (those shared by more than one researcher). In the case of shared facilities, the director, coordinator, or designated facility supervisor for the center shall submit the Laboratory Safety Profile.

3.3.1 Initial Submission. If chemical or biological agents or processes with physical or health hazards are used, the principal investigator shall submit a Laboratory Safety Profile within ISIS to the ORS assistant director for review. The assistant director may also submit the plan to the Chemical and Biological Safety Committee (CBSC) for further review if the lab operations are considered to be unique or high-hazard. The Laboratory Safety Profile contains the following sections:

Research Overview

General Safety

Chemical Safety

Biological Safety

Certifications of Agreement

Access to your specificLaboratory Safety Profile is available online at any time. Appendix A and B at the end of this document contain a list of carcinogens and reproductive hazards, including those regulated by OSHA to help you complete the Laboratory Safety Profiles's "Inventory of Chemical Agents."

The assistant director or CBSC may determine that the information listed in the Laboratory Safety Profile is not clear or indicates a need for further investigation of safety protocols. In such instances, principal investigators will be requested to review their profile within ISIS and make the necessary changes.

3.3.2 Profile Updates. Principal Investigators are responsible for keeping their profile current. At a minimum, anannual update should be conducted to ensure that the laboratory data is accurate and when there are changes in personnel or space. The Laboratory Safety Profiles should reflect new or modified tasks and procedures which affect occupational exposure and new or revised employee positions with occupational exposure.

3.3.3 Change of Facility. If you open new laboratory facilities or move to an alternate location, those sections of the Laboratory Safety Profile affected by relocation must be updated within ISIS. For example, you will need to revise the section concerning managing lab locations under the User Tools heading and indicate any lab space changes. The same applies to the Equipment Alarms form. Review the entire profile to ensure that you have modified all the necessary parts of the profile, in keeping with the infrastructure existing at the new location.

3.3.4 Addition of or Change to a Specific Project. ORS reserves the right to add additional safety forms that will require review and submission by the principal investigator and affected lab workers. It shall be submitted to ORS for new projects that require a registration or certification and are not covered by the original Laboratory Safety Profile.

3.4 Laboratory Annual Reviews
The University provides an inspection program for all laboratories. Laboratory annual reviews are conducted by the staff of ORS. Investigators may be asked to update the Laboratory Safety Profile and other information. The ORS representative may examine general laboratory conditions, engineering controls, work practices, chemical storage, use of personal protective clothing and equipment, signs and postings, documents such as MSDSs, and preferably, the Safety Desk Book. Laboratory workers may be interviewed. Inspection findings are detailed in a report forwarded to the principal investigator.

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Last Revision 05/16/2007
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