2.1 Action Level
An airborne concentration of a chemical that requires special actions including monitoring, physical exams and special safety controls.
2.2 Chemical Hygiene Officer
The person responsible for developing and monitoring the effectiveness of the Chemical Hygiene Plan; the Director of Health , Environment and Safety Services (SASS).
2.3 Chemical Hygiene Plan
A written plan required by OSHA establishing procedures, prudent practices, engineering controls and personal protective equipment to protect employees from exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories.
2.4 Designated Area
Special identified areas used for storage and work with extremely high hazard chemicals.
2.5 Extremely High Hazard Chemicals
Materials that are categorized as human carcinogens, reproductive toxins, substances which have a high degree of acute toxicity and unsealed radioactive materials. These substances are identified and listed in individual MSDS books or can be obtained from the CHO.
2.6 Functional Supervisor
The individual exerting primary influence upon the work regime of a laboratory employee. May serve as the host for off-site guests/visitors.
2.7 Hazardous Chemical
An OSHA definition of a chemical for which there is statistically significant evidence, based on at least one study conducted in accordance with established scientific principles, that acute or chronic health effects may occur in exposed employees.
2.8 Permissible Exposure Level (PEL)/Threshold Limit Value (TLV)
An 8-hour exposure level which should protect most employees from long term harmful effects of chemical exposure. The PEL is an OSHA regulated level, the TLV is recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.
3.1 Management
3.1.1 Provides resources to implement health, environment and safety programs.
3.1.2 Fosters environment conducive to implement health, environment and safety programs.
3.1.3 Designates Chemical Hygiene Officer who is responsible for implementation of Chemical Hygiene Plan.
3.2 Functional Supervisors
Responsible for both employees and visitors.
3.2.1 Plans and designs work practices and procedures for working with hazardous materials.
3.2.2 Implements chemical hygiene plan.
3.2.3 Monitors employees on proper safety practices and procedures.
3.2.4 Requests initial monitoring when there is a possibility of regular exposure above the action level or PEL/TLV.
3.2.5 Assures chemical fume hoods are in good working condition.
3.2.6 Assigns employees to attend training as necessary.
3.2.7 Provides employees with training specific to their assigned operations.
3.2.8 Establishes, reviews and approves procedures for use of extremely high hazard substances.
3.2.9 Provides employees with necessary safety equipment.
3.3 Health, Environment and Safety Services Office
3.3.1 SASS Director serves as UCAR Chemical Hygiene Officer.
3.3.2 Develops UCAR Chemical Hygiene Plan and provides technical support for implementation.
3.3.3 Conducts monitoring and notifies employees within 15 working days of results.
3.3.4 Obtains physician written opinion in event of medical evaluation due to spill.
3.3.5 Annually reviews the effectiveness of the chemical hygiene plan.
3.4 Maintenance
Periodically evaluates chemical fume hoods and maintains them in good working order.
3.5 Employee
3.5.1 Performs work in a safe manner and in accordance with training,
3.5.2 Reports accidents and spills immediately to their functional supervisor or SASS Director.
3.5.3 Reports out-of-tolerance conditions to functional supervisor.
3.5.4 Wears personal protective equipment as required.
3.5.5 Attends training as directed by functional supervisor.
3.5.6 Asks questions and obtains necessary information when unsure of hazards or appropriate safety practices.
3.6 Contractors
Provide a written chemical hygiene plan for review and approval by UCAR SASS director before conducting laboratory operations at UCAR facilities.
3.7 Guest/Visitor
Follows directions provided by this procedure and functional supervisor.
4.1 General
Prior to engaging in new operation, laboratory employees, guests and visitors shall contact functional supervisor to discuss, identify and define required safety policies and procedures.
4.2 Eating and smoking
Food or beverages shall not be stored or consumed in areas where chemicals are used or stored. Smoking is not allowed in any laboratory at any time.
4.3 Footwear
Bare feet, open-toed shoes, and sandals are not allowed where hazardous chemicals are used or stored. Safety shoes are required when regularly handling materials weighing more than 30 pounds.
4.4 Eye Protection
4.4.1 Safety glasses are required whenever potential exposures to hazardous chemicals exist.
4.4.2 Shields and /or goggles are required where there is a risk of splashing.
4.4.3 Contact lenses are discouraged when handling corrosive materials.
4.5 Skin Protection
Appropriate gloves shall be worn when handling corrosive chemicals i.e. acids, bases, etc. or chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin. (Contact the SASS Office for proper selection of gloves.)
4.6 Protective Clothing
Required when working with hazardous chemicals.
4.6.1 Wear appropriate clothing such as lab coat, aprons, or coveralls.
4.6.2 Protective clothing should be discarded or laundered frequently.
4.6.3 Protective clothing shall not be worn in public areas.
4.7 Hygiene
4.7.1 Restrain long hair and loose fitting clothing if it could become entangled in equipment.
4.7.2 Wash exposed skin before leaving the laboratory and before eating, drinking or smoking.
4.8 Pipetting
Use autopipettes or aspirators instead of mouth pipetting.
4.9 Glassware and Equipment
4.9.1 Handle and store glassware with care to avoid damage.
4.9.2 Do not use damaged glassware.
4.9.3 Use glassware only for intended purpose.
4.9.4 Never put unprotected broken glassware in general waste containers, always wrap in protective covering prior to disposal.
4.9.5 Rinse all glassware three times before disposal.
4.9.6 Shield or wrap Dewar flasks for protection in the event of implosion.
4.9.7 Use shielding for operations having the potential for explosion.
4.9.8 Properly ground all electrical equipment.
4.9.9 Secure cylinders with chains or nonelastic straps to wall or bench, or floor stands.
4.10 Compressed Gases
4.10.1 Keep cylinder valves closed when not in use.
4.10.2 Store cylinders with caps in place.
4.10.3 Separate flammable compressed gases from oxidizing gases.
4.10.4 Label cylinders and gas transfer lines.
4.10.5 Do not roll, drag or hand walk cylinders, but use a cart for transporting.
4.10.6 Do not store full and empty cylinders together.
4.10.7 Label empty containers.
4.11 Cryogenic Materials
4.11.1 Wear a safety shield, goggles, long sleeves, chemical apron and loose fitting gloves when transferring liquid nitrogen from cylinders into approved containers.
4.11.2 Wear loose fitting thermal gloves when handling super-cooled materials.
4.11.3 Store cryogenic containers in secure, well ventilated locations.
4.12 Housekeeping
4.12.1 Keep all aisles, hallways, and stairs clear of chemicals or other storage items.
4.12.2 Keep benchtops, hoods and desk tops free of clutter. Clean up work area upon completion of operation or at the end of each day.
4.12.3 Clean working surfaces and floors on a regular basis.
4.12.4 Maintain access to exits, emergency equipment, control panels, fire extinguishers and fire alarms, eyewash stations, emergency showers.
4.12.5 Immediately clean-up all spilled chemicals.
4.12.6 Keep all wastes in properly labeled containers.
4.12.7 Label all chemical containers with identity and hazards of the material.
4.13 Unattended Operations
For unattended hazardous operations, usually after hours.
4.13.1 Inform CHO and security of the location and the nature of the work.
4.13.2 Provide emergency names and phone numbers.
4.13.3 Place signs on doors and on the equipment, notify others of unattended operation and provide a contact person name and phone number.
4.13.4 Leave room lights on.
4.13.5 Provide containment system in case of leaks.
4.14 Working alone
Personnel should not work alone if engaged in handling hazardous chemicals with the serious potential for acute or disabling injury.
4.15 Attitude
Avoid horseplay, practical jokes or other behavior which might confuse, startle or distract other workers.
4.16 First Aid
Refer to MSDS sheets for best available first aid information.
4.16.1 Eyes - promptly flush with water for minimum of 15 minutes and seek medical attention.
4.16.2 Ingestion - drink large amounts of water and contact physician.
4.16.3 Skin contact - flush affected areas with water, remove contaminated clothing.
4.16.4 Notify SASS office.
4.17 Avoiding Exposures
4.17.1 Do not smell or taste chemicals.
4.17.2 Vent apparatus which may discharge toxic chemicals into local exhaust devices.
4.17.3 Use fumehoods and proper exhaust ventilation.
4.17.4 Avoid skin contact with hazardous chemicals.
4.18 Unsafe conditions
Report unsafe conditions immediately to functional supervisor or SASS Director.
4.19 Laboratory Hoods/Chemical Fume Hoods
Use properly functioning chemical fume hood, other local exhaust ventilation for all volatile hazardous materials, and with all hazardous materials with a PEL or TLV of less than 50 ppm. (TLVs and PELs can be found on the MSDSs or obtained from the CHO.).
4.19.1 Keep hood sash at minimum opening.
4.19.2 Do not store chemicals or excess equipment inside lab hoods.
4.19.3 Avoid blocking vents with equipment.
4.19.4 Leave hoods on at all times.
4.20 Extremely High Hazard substances
Work with extremely high hazard materials requires the following special procedures and precautions.
4.20.1 Formal establishment, review and approval of procedures experimental plan by functional supervisors for all work involving extremely high hazard substances.
4.20.2 Establish specially designated work areas where extremely high hazard substances shall be used and identify with the following sign : Caution, Extremely High Hazard Chemicals Work Area, Authorized Personnel Only.
4.20.3 Contain all operations in properly operating fumehood, glove box or other approved local ventilation systems.
4.20.4 Wear protective clothing, gloves, eyewear at all times when containers are open or being transported.
4.20.5 Establish specific waste disposal procedures.
4.20.6 Establish personnel and equipment decontamination procedures.
4.20.7 Establish special storage area and post with the following sign : Caution, Extremely High Hazard Chemical Storage Area, Authorized Personnel Only.
4.21 Respirators
Respirators are available for employee use and shall conform to the UCAR Respiratory Protection policy.
4.22 Medical consultation and examinations
Provided whenever employees develop symptoms of exposure, where exposure monitoring shows exposure is regularly over the action level or PEL, and in the event of spill. Contact the CHO to arrange for medical services.
4.23 Signs and Labels
4.23.1 Laboratories: Appropriate signs shall be placed on the entrances to all laboratories and include:
4.23.1.1 NFPA hazard rating.
4.23.1.2 Special safety precautions such as safety glasses, safety shoes, respirators.
4.23.1.3 Special circumstances such as Extremely High Hazard Chemical Area or Radioactive Materials.
4.23.1.4 Emergency names and phone numbers.
4.23.2 Chemical Containers:
4.23.2.1 Only one label per container.
4.23.2.2 Maintain original container labels where possible.
4.23.2.3 Label secondary containers according to UCAR Right-to-know Policy.
4.24 Material Safety Data Sheets
4.24.1 Material Safety Data Sheets shall be acquired prior to use for all hazardous materials.
4.24.2 Material Safety Data Sheets shall be available to all employees prior to use of hazardous materials.
4.24.3 Material Safety Data Sheets shall be kept close to use point of material.
4.24.4 Material Safety Data Sheets will be managed according to the UCAR Right-to-Know Policy.
4.25 Waste Disposal
All waste shall be handled through the Chemical Hygiene Officer.
4.25.1 Drain Disposal: Prohibited.
4.25.2 Evaporation Disposal: Prohibited.
4.25.3 Store waste in leak proof sealed containers, away from sinks, drains.
4.25.4 Label containers with specific chemical contents, only one label per container.
4.25.5 Contact CHO for pickup and disposal of waste.
4.26 Small Chemical Spills
4.26.1 Small spills of hazardous materials maybe cleaned up by laboratory personnel providing they are properly trained, experienced, and not at risk during clean-up and they use appropriate protective equipment.
4.26.2 Place all clean-up materials in sealed containers and label.
4.26.3 Contact CHO for proper disposal.
4.27 Emergencies
Employees should not endanger themselves when responding to emergencies.
4.27.1 Chemical Spills (significant spills either by quantity or toxicity):
4.27.1.1 Immediately evacuate area.
4.27.1.2 Notify others in immediate area and evacuate.
4.27.1.3 Close doors, prevent access to spill area.
4.27.1.4 Notify Security x-1139 or x-1126.
4.27.1.5 Security to notify CHO who will effect proper cleanup.
4.27.2 Medical Emergencies:
4.27.2.1 Call 1911 to summon UCAR medical emergency response team or 9911 for police, fire and ambulance.
4.27.3 Fire:
4.27.3.1 If small (waste basket size) and if properly trained, employees may attempt to extinguish but should not jeopardize themselves. Notify security after fire extinguished x-1139, or x-1126.
4.27.3.2 If large fire, evacuate area, pull alarms.
4.27.3.3 Notify others in immediate area, assist in evacuation.
4.27.3.4 Contact Security, x-1139, x-1126 and provide necessary details.
4.27.4 Accidents: Notify the CHO of all accidents.
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