This document provides the background information required to establish safe working practices for chemical use and handling. The responsibility for implementation and enforcement of safe work practices is the responsibility of the principal investigator of each laboratory. This document functions as both a training tool and a reference source.
The Office of Environmental Health and Radiation Safety has developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for 14 classes of chemical and physical hazards commonly found in University Laboratories. These SOP's define the minimum use and handling procedures permitted at the University. Adherence to the SOPs by all University of Pennsylvania lab workers is mandatory. It is the responsibility of the principal investigator of each laboratory to review the SOPs and assure that the protective equipment and procedures outlined are in place.
The principal investigator must complete and sign the Chemical Hygiene Work Plan (See example in Appendix E) for his or her laboratory after reviewing all the items outlined in the Standard Operating Procedures applicable to the laboratory. The completed document must be posted in the laboratory by October 1 of each year; when research conditions change; or when new research is initiated.
Each laboratory will display a room sign which provides safety information to visitors and non-research support personnel. The principal investigator is responsible for providing the correct information for the room sign to the Office of Environmental Health and Radiation Safety (Section VII and Appendix I). EHRS will
Because of the special hazards associated with the storage of chemicals outside of a laboratory (such as a hallway or in a shared use area) all such storage must be identified. The principal investigator is responsible to complete a Chemical Storage Sign form and return it to the Office of Environmental Health and Radiation Safety (See Appendix J). EHRS will provide the sign and assure that appropriate warning information is included.
Researchers are encouraged to complete the Chemical Hygiene Self Inspection form in Appendix K. This document guides you through an audit of your lab.
Principal investigators should assure that all laboratory workers are provided with information and training to ensure that they are appraised of the hazards of chemicals present in their work area. This training is mandated by OSHA. In fulfillment of part of this training requirement, the principal investigator shall assure that all new laboratory workers attend Laboratory Safety at Penn (Chemical Hygiene training) provided by Environmental Health and Radiation Safety. Laboratory workers shall attend Refresher Training each year following attendance of initial Chemical Hygiene training. Training schedules are posted on the EHRS website (www.ehrs.upenn.edu). A list of lab safety training programs are listed on the inside back cover of this manual.
The following topics are covered in Chemical Hygiene Training:
Additional training provided by the principal investigator should be as specific to the activities conducted in the laboratory as possible. It should include: