Lab Safety
Overview
It is the duty of the RIT EH&S Department, faculty, staff, and students to ensure a safe and healthy working and learning environment in all RIT owned and operated laboratories. In order to accomplish this, RIT has developed a Laboratory and Chemical Hygiene Safety Program that includes guidelines to ensure safe work practices, and a training program to keep faculty, staff and students current with regards to these established guidelines.
The goal of RIT’s Laboratory and Chemical Hygiene Safety Program is to minimize the risk of injury or illness to employees and students while working in laboratories by ensuring that they are provided with the appropriate information, support, and equipment needed to work safely.
Applicable Regulation
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recognizing the unique characteristics of the laboratory workplace has tailored a standard for occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories. This standard is often referred to as the "Laboratory Standard".
The Laboratory Standard can be found in 29 CFR 1910.1450
Management Requirement
Under this Laboratory Standard, RIT is required to develop a Chemical Hygiene Plan which addresses the specific hazards found in RIT laboratories and RIT’s approach to addressing these hazards.
Some of the sections that make up RIT’s Chemical Hygiene Plan include: laboratory Standard Operating Procedures for general lab practices and for chemical handling including particularly hazardous chemicals, exposure control measures, ventilation and hood performance, and proper personal protective equipment.
RIT has also appointed a Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) who will ensure that the Chemical Hygiene Plan is being implemented. RIT’s CHO will review and update the Chemical Hygiene Plan at least annually to ensure that it is effective and up to date.
Labs are inspected on a quarterly basis to ensure that RIT maintains compliance with Environmental Health and Safety regulations and to spot check areas to observe that proper procedures are being implemented, laboratory equipment is being used correctly usage, and appropriate personal protective equipment is being worn.
Training Requirements
Clearly, laboratory safety training is a must in an academic institution. Teaching employees and students to work safely is an integral part of every laboratory experience. Along with specific health and safety training provided by the individual responsible for the lab, the RIT EH&S Department can provide Laboratory Safety Training. This training is also available online through this website.
