SECTION 5 Chemical Hygiene Plan

Download to Print

Table of Contents Section 5

1. Designation of the Chemical Hygiene Officer
2. Chemical Hygiene Officer Responsibilities
3. Laboratory Safety Coordinator
4. General Laboratory Safety Principles
5. Chemical Handling, Storage and Transportation
6. Controlling Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals
7. Personnel Protective Equipment Required in College Laboratories
8. Standard Operating Procedures for Common Hazards and Equipment in College Laboratories
9. Laboratory Activities Which Require Prior Approval
10. Exposure Evaluation
11. Medical Consultation and Examination
12. Information and Training of Laboratory Personnel

Forward

The College of Chemistry's Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) has been prepared to provide direction to laboratory researchers in establishing and maintaining safe laboratory operations in the College. In keeping with the College's commitment to injury & illness prevention, the CHP's primary purpose is to protect faculty, staff and students from health and safety hazards presented by chemical usage in laboratories.

The Chemical Hygiene Plan for the College of Chemistry will be reviewed on an annual basis and revisions and updates will be included as amendments or updates to the online College of Chemistry Health and Safety Manual.

	1. Designation of the Chemical Hygiene Officer
	2. Chemical Hygiene Officer Responsibilities
	3. Laboratory Safety Coordinator
	4. General Laboratory Safety Principles
	Health and Hygiene Food and Beverages in the Laboratory Housekeeping Working Alone
	5. Chemical Handling, Storage and Transportation
	Chemical Procurement Chemical Inventory Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Chemical Labeling Requirements Chemical Segregation Secondary Containment Labeling of Chemical Storage Areas Seismic Protection of Chemicals Transporting Chemicals Disposal of Hazardous Materials Chemical Spills and "Slug Discharges"
	6. Controlling Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals
	Negative Pressure Fume Hoods Glove Boxes Gas Cabinets Emergency Eyewash and Shower Experimental Design and Review Restricted Work Areas
	7. Personnel Protective Equipment Required in College Laboratories
	Eye Protection Gloves Footwear/Clothing Face Protection Respirators
	8. Standard Operating Procedures for Common Hazards and Equipment in College Laboratories
	9. Laboratory Activities Which Require Prior Approval (radioactive materials, biohazards, lasers)
	10. Exposure Evaluation
	11. Medical Consultation and Examination
	12. Information and Training of Laboratory Personnel
	Close

Table of Contents

1. Designation of the Chemical Hygiene Officer

The Principal Investigator residing over a particular research program is hereby designated by the Dean as the Chemical Hygiene Officer for all laboratory activities under his/her supervision.

2. Chemical Hygiene Officer Responsibilities

It is incumbent upon the Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) for a particular research program to review the Chemical Hygiene Plan and decide how to apply pertinent sections to the unique activities in their laboratories. Although this plan addresses many hazards that are common in College laboratories, some research activities may be unique to a particular research group and information about the hazards of such activities may not be present in this plan. In these cases, it is the responsibility of the CHO to research the hazards of these activities and to disseminate appropriate hazard control information and procedures to their research staff. This is typically done by producing written safe operating procedures which can be attached to the Chemical Hygiene Plan (see section on Standard Operating Procedures for Common Hazards and Equipment in College Laboratories below). Whenever changes or modifications to a research program occur, the Chemical Hygiene Officer must make amendments or additions to the plan accordingly to ensure that all new hazards are addressed.

Additional responsibilities of Chemical Hygiene Officers include:

• Ensuring that researchers are adequately trained to work safely with the chemicals and equipment in the laboratory
• Conducting regular safety meetings with the research staff
• Ensuring that researchers have access to MSDSs and other relevant safety information about the materials and equipment they are using
• Ensuring that chemical inventories are submitted annually to Campus EH&S
• Enforcing all general lab safety principles and personal protective equipment requirements
• Ensuring that reported hazards are abated in a timely manner
• Designating certain individuals in his/her research group as responsible for
  1. Updating the chemical inventory
  2. Maintaining group MSDS files
  3. Inspecting the eyewash stations monthly

3. Laboratory Safety Coordinator

The Principal investigator is also responsible for appointing a Laboratory Safety Coordinator for his/her group. The group LSC serves as a primary point of contact for safety related matters in the group. Duties include coordinating annual safety inspections, updating the health and safety manual, distributing safety related information to the group and scheduling safety meetings and safety training as needed.

4. General Laboratory Safety Principles

It is the responsibility of the Chemical Hygiene Officer for a research group to ensure that all laboratory personnel under his/her supervision follow all rules and procedures established under the chemical hygiene plan. The following general rules and procedures apply to all laboratory work performed at the College.

Health and Hygiene

1. Research and understand the known hazards associated with the materials being used; carefully read labels before using unfamiliar chemicals; review material safety data sheets (MSDSs) for additional handling information
2. Avoid unnecessary contact with chemicals; chemicals should not be tasted or intentionally smelled
3. Confine long hair and loose clothing to avoid coming into contact with chemicals, flames or moving equipment. Synthetic fingernails are quite flammable and should not be worn when working with open flames.
4. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling chemicals, before leaving the laboratory and before eating or drinking.
5. Use personal protective equipment (PPE) whenever necessary; always inspect PPE before using--replace when necessary
6. Use engineering controls (i.e. fume hoods) to control exposure; learn to recognize limitations with such equipment--report mechanical problems immediately
7. Never mouth pipette
8. Horseplay in the laboratory is strictly prohibited
9. Be familiar with the location and use of emergency equipment--fire alarms, fire extinguishers, eyewash/shower
10. Always be alert to unsafe conditions and actions--report such conditions to the Principal Investigator or Lab Safety Coordinator

Food and Beverages in the Laboratory

Eating, drinking or applying cosmetics in areas where laboratory chemicals are present is prohibited. Food and beverages may be consumed in office areas (i.e. a person's desk) provided that the area is posted with a "Clean Area" sign. Storage or handling of food or beverages shall not occur in storage areas, laboratory refrigerators, or with glassware or utensils that are used for laboratory operations.

Housekeeping

Safety in the laboratory follows from good housekeeping practice. Use the following guidelines to maintain orderly laboratories:

1. Keep work areas clean and uncluttered with chemicals and equipment. Clean up work areas upon completion of an experiment or at the end of each work day.
2. Do not allow waste solvents and empty chemicals containers to accumulate; promptly dispose of these materials.
3. Never block aisles or exits with chemicals, equipment or furniture.
4. Clean spills immediately and thoroughly. If spill cannot be cleaned up safely, call 2-9090 for assistance. (Refer to Section 4: Major Chemical Spill)

Working Alone

Avoid working alone in laboratories, especially after hours. If working alone can not be avoided, researchers must inform other group members about which laboratory they are working in and how long they expect to be there.

5. Chemical Handling, Storage and Transportation

The decision to procure a chemical is a commitment to handle and use the chemical properly from initial receipt to ultimate disposal.

Chemical Procurement

In order to minimize hazardous waste production and to reduce personal risk, researchers should use the smallest amount of the least hazardous chemicalavailable in achieving the desired research result. The chemical procurement process should follow these steps:

Step 1
Research the safety information about the chemical first. This involves reviewing Material Safety Data Sheets or other publications related to the chemical. The objective is to learn about the hazards of the chemical and to ensure that appropriate controls (i.e. ventilation or personal protective equipment) are available to work with the material safely.

Step 2
Next, check with other members of the research group. It is likely that some other researcher will have a particular material in inventory and will provide it at no cost. The chemical can then be returned to the original owner after use.

Step 3
Chemical reuse facility/CHEX Program. If the desired chemical is not readily available from other researchers, check with the Chemical Reuse Facility. More than 10,000 previously owned chemicals are available at no charge. The facility is located in 780 Tan Hall.

Campus EH&S has also set up an on-line database (CHEX) to facilitate chemical exchange campus wide. More information on the CHEX Program is found in Section 7 of the College of Chemistry Health and Safety Manual.

Step 4
Chemical stores / outside vendors. If purchasing the chemical is the only option, first check with the Chemical Stores in 791 Tan.
Solvents, common reagents and glassware can all be obtained here.
Of course, many situations may require the purchasing of the chemical from an outside vendor (i.e. Fisher or Aldrich). In these cases, researchers must purchase only what is needed to complete an experiment. Generally, the smallest available container size of the material should be purchased. Researchers must also ensure that MSDSs are sent with each order (see below).

Chemical Inventory

Every laboratory must maintain an inventory of chemicals that are used or stored in the laboratory. The Chemical Hygiene Officer (Principal Investigator) for a particular lab group is responsible for ensuring that inventories are revised on an annual basis. Typically, the Principal Investigator appoints a member of the group (grad student or post-doc) to coordinate completion of the annual chemical inventory for his/her group.

All chemical inventories for laboratories in the College must be entered into the 4 D Client Chemical Inventory database. Researchers who are unfamiliar with the use of the Client Chemical Inventory database should consult CCHASP at 3-0526 for instruction. Additional information about chemical inventories is also found in Section 7 of the College of Chemistry Health and Safety Manual.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) provide valuable information concerning the hazards of the chemicals that are used in College laboratories. The Chemical Hygiene Officer (Principal Investigator) is responsible for ensuring that all researchers under his/her supervision have access to MSDS information. Researchers are encouraged to consult with the PI whenever they have any questions regarding the interpretation of MSDS information. In addition, a detailed glossary of MSDS terms and information can be found in Section 8 of the College of Chemistry Health and Safety Manual

MSDSs applicable to a particular laboratory group should be kept in binders that are readily accessible to researchers in the group. The PI can appoint a grad student or post-doc to organize and maintain a current MSDS binder(s) for his/her group. As a back-up and to assist in obtaining MSDS information during emergencies, the College maintains a "master set" of MSDSs in 305 Lewis Hall. 305 Lewis is a small room dedicated to MSDS storage. It is always unlocked and is accessible 24 hr. a day.

MSDSs on the Internet

MSDSs are also available via the internet. The College of Chemistry homepage contains links to several MSDS databases (under the "Resources for Chemistry" link). Researchers should bookmark these pages to facilitate MSDS retrieval.

Requesting MSDSs for Chemicals that are Purchased

Prior to ordering a new chemical, researchers must check the group's MSDS binder(s) to see if a current MSDS for the material is already on file. If the correct MSDS is not on file or if the material has never been ordered before, researchers must inform the manufacturer or distributor that an MSDS is to accompany the shipment. Preferably, the MSDS should accompany the shipment inside the box in which the chemical is transported.

When the chemical arrives in the laboratory, researchers should check to see if an MSDS was shipped with the order. If no MSDS was shipped and one was requested, the researcher should immediately inform the manufacturer and ask them to fax or mail one directly to them.

Chemical Labeling Requirements

All chemicals used or stored in College laboratories must be labeled at all times. Commercial chemicals must have the original manufacturer's label affixed to the container. Laboratory researchers must ensure that original manufacturers' labels for commercial chemicals remain on containers and in good condition (i.e. legible and not contaminated with chemical residue).

Secondary containers (e.g. beakers, flasks and vials filled by the researcher with materials and mixtures) must be labeled with:

1. Name of Chemical(s) -- IUPAC or common names only
2. Hazard Class or warning statement. Examples:
   • "Acetone, Flammable Liquid"
   • "Methylhydrazine, Highly Toxic, Cancer Suspect Agent"

Chemical Segregation

Chemicals in laboratories must be segregated by compatibility. In general, the storage of chemicals should be segregated according to hazard classes. This can be accomplished by segregating materials into the following groups:

Flammable liquids(1) e.g. organic solvents

Inorganic acids(2) e.g. sulfuric acid

Strong organic acids e.g. trichloroacetic acid, formic acid

Inorganic bases e.g. sodium hydroxide

Oxidizers e.g. potassium permanganate, perchloric acid

Water reactive materials e.g. sodium metal, aluminum chloride

Pyrophorics e.g. butyl lithium,dimethylaluminum chloride

Misc. Organics e.g. hydroquinone, benzoic acid

Misc. Inorganics e.g. common salts, heavy metals
1. Should be stored inside a UL listed flammable storage cabinet.
2. Should be stored in a chemically resistant spill tray.

Physical segregation or separation of different hazard classes can be achieved by storing different hazard classes of chemicals:

1. In different cabinets or on different shelves OR
2. On the same shelf each in physically separated spill containment trays OR
3. At a distance of greater than 20 feet from one another

Secondary Containment

Chemicals which pose a hazard to laboratory personnel or the environment if spilled must be stored in chemically resistant spill trays or containers. Materials which must also be kept in spill trays include strong acids, strong bases and highly toxic liquid chemicals.
It is recommended that solvent waste containers also be stored in spill trays while in the laboratory.

Labeling of Chemical Storage Areas

All areas of the lab used for storage of particular hazard classes (i.e. a designated cabinets or shelves) must be labeled with the name of the hazard class.

Example: A cabinet used for storing strong mineral acids must have
a "Corrosive, Acid" label affixed to the cabinet door.

Seismic Protection of Chemicals

Laboratory researchers must give special consideration to seismic hazards. All chemicals must be stored with proper seismic bracing or barriers to minimize the hazards associated with earthquakes.
The following rules and procedures must be followed

1. Shelves used for storing hazardous chemicals must have barrier lips or restraints to prevent chemical containers from sliding off the shelf in an earthquake
2. Flammable storage cabinets must be secured to the building architecture or an immovable object in the lab
3. Equipment which contains hazardous chemicals and poses a seismic hazard (i.e. it is situated near a person's desk or could block emergency egress when it falls) must be secured

Transporting Chemicals

When transporting chemicals outside of the laboratory, the following special precautions must be taken to avoid dropping or spilling chemicals. Additionalinformation about transporting chemicals can be found in the "EH&S Move Manual" at http://128.32.188.100/pubs/movemanual/1Planning.html

Carry all chemical bottles and containers in specially designed bottle carriers--available in the Chemical Stores, 791 Tan Hall

1. When transporting several chemicals at once, place chemicals in secondary containment (i.e. box, carton or tray) and transport the containers with a cart;preferably one with high edges to prevent materials from sliding off during transport
2. Always transport chemicals in freight elevators--in buildings that have no freight elevator (Lewis Hall, Gilman Hall, upper Hildebrand Hall) avoid transporting chemicals in passenger elevators at times of high occupancy
3. Wear safety glasses and gloves (of the correct type) when transporting chemicals

Disposal of Hazardous Materials

All spent solvent waste, contaminated laboratory debris and other unwanted hazardous chemicals and reagents must be disposed of in a manner consistent with Federal, State and Local regulations and
with guidance from Campus EH&S. Procedures for the safe disposal of these materials are detailed in Section 6 of the College of Chemistry Health and Safety Manual.

The disposal of radioactive and medical wastes are handled by Campus EH&S. Please refer to Section 6 of the College of Chemistry Health and Safety Manual for detailed disposal procedures
for these materials.

All researchers must become familiar with the UC Berkeley Drain Disposal Guidelines (Section 6). These guidelines regulate the type and quantity of materials which may be disposed of through the waste water system.

Chemical Spills and "Slug Discharges"

Chemical spills in laboratories, no matter how small, must be mitigated before any laboratory work is to resume. The pink section of the Who Does It! Where To Find It! How To Do It Safely! guide book contains detailed instructions on mitigating and reporting spills of hazardous chemicals. Researchers must be thoroughly familiar with this information prior to conducting research with any hazardous chemical. Laboratories should be stocked with designated spill response equipment and materials (i.e. spill pillows and pads and/or absorbent material) to safely clean up small chemicals spills. Researchers need to be aware of the location of such spill response equipment and must ensure that clean up materials are replaced as used.

A "Slug Discharge" is defined as any non-routine, episodic discharge of a hazardous chemical to any drain system on the UC Berkeley Campus. Slug discharges typically occur when chemicals are accidentally spilled down a lab sink. Specific reporting regulations pertaining to slug discharges have been established by the East Bay Municipal Utilities District (EBMUD). If spilled chemicals enter a sink or drain in the laboratory, researchers are required to notify EH&S (2-3073) or Campus Police (2-6760) immediately. A follow up phone call to the College of Chemistry emergency response line (2-9090) is also mandatory.

Detailed information on slug discharges and wastewater protection can be found in Section 7 of the College of Chemistry Health and SafetyManual.

6. Controlling Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals

Preventing or minimizing the impact of chemical exposures to College laboratory researchers is of critical importance. In addition to the general safety principles (presented above), three types of exposure control methods include engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment. TheChemical Hygiene Officer is responsible for making sure that exposure controls are implemented to safeguard their research staff from the hazards in their laboratories.

Engineering Controls

Engineering controls reduce or eliminate exposures by modifying the source or reducing the quantity of hazardous chemicals released into the laboratory.

"Negative Pressure"

All laboratories in the College are designed such that the static air pressure in the laboratory is slightly less than the air pressure in the corridor. This provides containment of materials released into the laboratory air. Since the negative air balance is dependent on the proper functioning of the laboratory exhaust system, researchers must pay particular attention to the operation of fume hoods in the lab (see below). In addition, all doors and windows to the laboratory must remained closed.

Fume Hoods

Laboratory fume hoods are to be used for all chemical procedures which result in the release of inhalable hazardous chemicals--vapors, gases, particulates or aerosols. Hoods must be used for any activity in which the Cal-OSHA PEL or the ACGIH TLV is likely to be exceeded for a particular chemical (information on the definition of these terms is provided in Section 8 of the College of Chemistry Health and Safety Manual). All College fume hoods are tested each year by Campus EH&S for proper airflow. The face velocity of air being drawn into the hood at maximum sash height is measured quantitatively in feet per minute (fpm) using a thermoanemometer. Ideally, hoods must have a measured face velocity of 100 fpm to be most efficient in removing contaminants. If the air velocity is too low or too high (greater than 150 fpm) the hood will not be able to remove contaminants adequately and will be tagged inoperable. Researchers should never use a fume hood that has been tagged "unsatisfactory". Always report hood malfunctions immediately to the College Physical Plant staff (2-5231) and never work with hazardous chemicals in a hood that is known to be defective.

In addition to quantitative airflow testing, the following work practices apply to the use of hoods in College labs:

• Check the hood before each use to verify that the hood has adequate inward air flow through the face. If no air flow measuring device is available, qualitatively check the airflow by holding a piece of paper up to the sash opening--it should be pulled inward.
• Minimize storage of chemicals and equipment in the hood.
• Do not block the ventilation slots in rear of hood.
• Keep hood sashes closed when not working at the hood.
• Use the sashes as a safety shield when working with potentially explosive compounds.
• Avoid placing your head inside the fume hood.
• Report all problems with the hood immediately (2-5231)
• Never use a fume hood to intentionally dispose of volatile chemicals (i.e. evaporation).

Glove Boxes

Glove boxes isolate contaminants from the laboratory air. Exhaust air from glove boxes should flow directly into the laboratory local exhaust system. Use and maintenance of glove boxes must be in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

Gas Cabinets

Gas cabinets are used to control the release of hazardous gases into the laboratory. Similar to a fume hood, they enclose contaminant gas and exhaust it through a local exhaust system. In general, these units must operate at 200 feet per minute across the open face. They must be outfitted with an airflow indicator and additional controls or add ons are needed when operating a gas cabinet that contains a toxic gas. Detailed information concerning the Campus Toxic Gas Program is found in Section 7, Insert #22 of the College of Chemistry Health and Safety Manual.

Emergency Eyewash and Shower

Eyewashes and showers are located in many labs and in many cases in the hallway outside of a laboratory. All eyewashes and showers are inspected andcertified on a yearly basis by UC Berkeley Physical Plant. Each unit must have an up to date certification tag indicating that it has the proper flow. Laboratory personnel must ensure that these tags are present and report any problems to College Physical Plant (2-5231).

Researchers are required to inspect the eyewash on a monthly basis to make sure that it has adequate water flow and the direction of the flow is suitable inproviding continuous flushing of the eyes. Inspection dates should be recorded on a tag (provided by CCHASP) posted near the eyewash for documentationpurposes. In addition, each eyewash must be flushed until the water is clear at least once per month to prevent the buildup of sediments in the water which can cause further damage to the eye--please do not flush showers! The Chemical Hygiene Officer for the research group appoints a grad student or post-doc to ensure that eyewashes are inspected and flushed monthly.

It is incumbent upon all laboratory personnel to know the exact location of the nearest eyewash/shower when working in a laboratory. These units must never be blocked by chemicals, equipment or furniture. A 36" area immediately in front of each unit should be clear at all times.

Administrative Controls

Administrative controls reduce exposures by modifying experimental procedures or controlling access to areas where exposures are likely to occur.

Experimental Design and Review

Laboratory personnel are responsible for designing experiments that minimize the potential of exposure to hazardouscontaminants. Careful review of new experimental procedures should be performed in consultation with the Principal Investigator. Prior to conducting anexperiment, consideration must be given to:

• substituting less harmful chemicals for more harmful chemicals whenever possible
• reducing the quantity of materials involved in the experiment

Restricted Areas

Areas of the lab in which hazardous materials are used are restricted to those researchers who are trained and understand the hazards of the materials being used. Restricted areas can be designated by posting appropriate warning or caution signs on the laboratory door or in some cases near the area of the laboratory where the research is being conducted.

All labs must be posted with the general laboratory hazard information sign (call CCHASP at 3-0648 for more information). Additional signs are required for working with specialized hazards and include the following materials:

• Biohazards Lasers
• Strong magnetic fields (non-ionizing radiation)
• Carcinogens
• Radioactive materials

Detailed information on special hazards requiring restricted areas is found in Section 7 of the College of Chemistry Health and Safety Manual.

7. Personnel Protective Equipment Required in College Laboratories

Eye Protection

Safety glasses with side shields that meet the ANSI Z87.1989 standard are required to be worn by all persons in a laboratory. Researchers who wear prescription lenses must have prescription safety glasses or use a pair of chemical safety goggles that completely cover the prescription glasses. Visitors and guests must also wear safety glasses when entering College laboratories.

Contact lenses may be worn in College laboratories provided that the researcher wears an ANSI Z87.1989 approved pair of safety glasses or goggles over them.

Gloves

Appropriate chemically resistant gloves shall be worn by researchers whenever there may be skin contact with hazardous chemicals. Care must betaken to select the best glove for the particular materials being used in the lab. Researchers should consult the glove compatibility chart in Section 8 of the College of Chemistry Health and Safety Manual for glove compatibility information.

Footwear/Clothing

Sandals or other open toed shoes should not be worn in College of Chemistry laboratories. Long pants and long sleeved shirts arepreferable for most laboratory activities. Lab coats or smocks are not required at all times but should be worn whenever research involves the use of chemicalswhich are:

• known to be hazardous to the skin
• known to readily absorb through the skin
• potentially explosive compounds

Face Protection

Face shields must be worn whenever there is a potential for hazardous chemical splashes to occur. Generally, they must be worn whenworking with strong acids and bases and with potentially explosive compounds. Face shields should also be worn when changing regulators on compressed gas cylinders or when working with high pressure experiments. NOTE: Face shields are not considered adequate eye protection--researchers must also wear safety glasses or goggles underneath the face shield when in the laboratory.

Respirators

Respirators are normally not needed in laboratories. Respirator usage in College laboratories must comply with the Campus EH&S respiratory protection program (see Section 7 of the College of Chemistry Health and Safety Manual ). Respirator users must receive training and a medicalclearance before a respirator can be issued. Researchers can only receive a respirator from Campus EH&S and are not authorized to purchase a respirator on their own for any work performed in the College.

8. Standard Operating Procedures for Common Hazards and Equipment in College Laboratories

A variety of standard operating procedures (SOPs) have been developed for various laboratory practices and materials. These SOPs consist of Campus EH&S and ORS Fact Sheets and Help Sheets and College generated guidelines. The Chemical Hygiene Officer for each research group should review the list of SOPs and decide which resources are applicable to operations in his/her laboratories. SOPs can then be used as working guidelines for laboratory personnel as well as a basis for group safety training. SOPs and guidelines applicable to laboratory activities have been developed and are listed in the table below. These documents can be found in Section 7 of the College of Chemistry Health and Safety Manual.

Many of the listed SOPs apply to virtually all labs and several apply only to a fraction of research groups in the College. Occasionally, there may be a need for an SOP for a unique experiment or apparatus. In these cases, the Chemical Hygiene Officer for the group is responsible for generating an SOP specific to the problem and for disseminating safety information through training. Guidelines for preparing a laboratory specific SOP are found in Section 7 of the College of Chemistry Health and Safety Manual.

Subject Area	Title
Air Pollution	Prevention Guidelines for Minimizing Toxic Air Contaminant Emissions in Laboratories
Autoclaves	Using Autoclaves Safely
Chemical Exchange	Chemical Exchange Fact Sheet
Chemical Inventory	Chemical Inventory
Cryogenic Liquids	Safe Handling of Cryogenic Liquids
Electrophoresis	Guidelines for Safe Use of Electrophoresis Equipment
Ethidium Bromide	Ethidium Bromide: Hazards and Precautions
Flammable Storage	Storage of Flammable Liquids in Campus Research and Teaching Laboratories
Fume hoods	Fume Hoods Fact Sheet
Fume hoods	Safe Use of Chemical Fume Hoods—College Physical Plant Notice--5/27/97
Hydrofluoric Acid	Hydrofluoric Acid
Laboratory Equipment	Safe Use of Common Laboratory Equipment
Laboratory Refrigerators	Using Refrigerators and Freezers for Hazardous Materials
Lasers	UC Berkeley Laser Safety Program
Latex Allergies	Latex Allergies
MSDS	Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS’s)
Non-ionizing Radiation	UC Berkeley Non-ionizing Radiation Safety Program
Peroxides	Guidelines for the Safe Handling of Peroxidizable Chemicals
Phenol	Phenol—Hazards and Precautions
Radioactive Materials	Radiation Safety Program Requirements
Reproductive Hazards	Reproductive Hazards in the Laboratory
Safe Operating Procedures	Laboratory Specific Standard Operating Procedures
Toxic Gases	Campus Toxic Gas Program
Wastewater Protection	Wastewater Slug Discharge Prevention and Emergency Notification Fact Sheet

9. Laboratory Activities Which Require Prior Approval

This Chemical Hygiene Plan does not provide specific guidance concerning the use of radioactive materials, non-ionizing radiation, lasers or biohazards. The use of these materials is addressed in the following campus documents: UC Berkeley Radiation Safety Manual; UC Berkeley Laser Safety Manual; and the UC Berkeley Exposure Control Plan (all available from Campus EH&S). Any research involving these materials in the College must conform to the requirements of the above mentioned campus programs and generally requires campus approval prior to commencing research activities.

Program summaries for the use of lasers, radioactive materials and non-ionizing radiation are provided in Section 7 of the College of Chemistry Health and Safety Manual. Researchers can review these summaries for information about the many program requirements in using these materials.

Research involving biohazardous materials or the use of animals must be approved by the Campus Committee on Laboratory and Environmental Biosafety and the Animal Care and Use Committee, respectively. Contact the UC Berkeley Biosafety Officer at 2-3073 for more information.

10. Exposure Evaluation

Campus EH&S will perform exposure monitoring under the following circumstances:

1. Initial personal monitoring will be performed if there is reason to believe that employee exposure levels routinely exceed Cal-OSHA exposure limits.
2. Periodic personal monitoring will be performed when initial monitoring levels reveal an exposure. All exposure monitoring will be conducted in accordance with NIOSH and Cal-OSHA guidelines and regulations.

Termination of air monitoring will be in accordance with prevailing standards. All personal air monitoring results will be provided to the employee 15 days from receipt of the results.

11. Medical Consultation and Examination

Laboratory personnel working with hazardous chemicals will be provided an opportunity to receive a confidential medical evaluation under the followingcircumstances:

1. When an individual develops signs/symptoms associated with a chemical to which he/she was exposed.
2. When routine air monitoring reveals exposure above Cal-OSHA exposure limits.
3. Whenever an event takes place, such as a chemical spill, that results in the likelihood of a hazardous exposure.

A medical evaluation is provided free of charge to the individual by a licensed physician. The Tang Center on the UC Berkeley campus can provide all medicalservices and can be reached at extension 2-6891. Information about arranging a medical evaluation can be obtained by calling CCHASP at extension 3-0648.

12. Information and Training of Laboratory Personnel

All laboratory personnel must receive safety training in accordance with the College's Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP). Training requirements forresearchers is outlined in the IIPP (Section 3 of the College of Chemistry Health and Safety Manual). In summary, all entering graduate student and post-docresearchers must attend the Laboratory Safety and Emergency Response seminar. This seminar includes training on the College's Injury and Illness Prevention Program, the Chemical Hygiene Plan, emergency response procedures, building and seismic safety and hands on fire extinguisher training.

The Chemical Hygiene Officer is responsible for providing additional safety training to their research staff on an as needed basis based on the chemicals and equipment used in their particular laboratories. This type of training should generally be conducted in group safety meetings. Personal one-on-one training between the Principal Investigator and the researcher is also conducted to provide detailed safety instruction on unique experimental procedures and equipment. Safety training must be documented using a "Record of Safety Training" form which is contained in Section 9 of the College of Chemistry Health and SafetyManual.