Laboratory Safety Standard

Laboratory Safety Standard

This OSHA standard mandates employers who are engaged in the laboratory use of hazardous chemicals to develop and implement a written chemical hygiene plan.

The standard defines hazardous chemicals as any 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. This includes chemicals which are carcinogens, toxic or highly toxic agents, reproductive toxins, irritants, corrosives, sensitizers, hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, agents which act on the hematopoietic systems and agents which damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes.

Laboratory is defined as a facility where the laboratory use of hazardous chemicals occurs. It is a workplace where relatively small quantities of hazardous chemicals are used on a non-production basis.

Laboratory use of hazardous chemicals is defined as handling or use of such chemicals in which all of the following conditions are met:

  1. Chemical manipulations are carried out on a laboratory scale.
  2. Multiple chemical procedures or chemicals are used.
  3. The procedures involved are not part of a production process.
  4. Protective laboratory practices and equipment are available and in common use to minimize the potential for employee exposure to hazardous chemicals.