Solid Science Practical Solutions

GSE ADVISOR

IS YOUR LAB SAFETY (CHEMICAL HYGIENE) PROGRAM UP TO DATE?

Hazardous chemicals present potential physical and/or health threats to teachers, students and other district staff. While school laboratories typically use small quantities of hazardous chemicals, the wide range of chemicals includes acutely toxic, carcinogenic (cancer causing) and reproductive hazards, as well as chemicals that are reactive, corrosive, flammable or have other hazardous properties. The teachers and students who directly handle these chemicals will be back at school soon.
 
Unfortunately, the OSHA Chemical Hygiene/Laboratory Standard (29 CFR 1910.1450) is often overlooked or not updated since it is frequently out of the direct control of many Facility Managers.  We recommend you get the answers to these questions as soon as possible:
 
  1. Who is in charge of your Lab Safety Program? 
  2. Has the program recently been reviewed and updated? 
  3. Have science teachers been trained in the program?
  4. Is there an active Chemical Hygiene Committee?
  5. Have safety equipment and environmental controls been checked for proper operation?
 
For more information, click on this LINK to read our full Lab Safety Article.