OVERVIEW
The purpose of this unit is to give trainees a general understanding of basic principles of safety in a laboratory setting. At the conclusion of this unit, trainees will have a basic understanding of general hazards that exist in laboratories, basic personal protection equipment to protect from those hazards, how to locate information about chemicals, basic standard operating procedures and chemical hygiene practices, and how to respond in emergency situations.

OBJECTIVES

Hazards in the Laboratory

·         Describe two broad categories of chemical hazards.

·         Explain the difference between acute and chronic health effects from chemical exposure.

·         Describe the four routes of chemical exposure.

Minimizing the Risks

·         Describe the four basic principles of safety in the laboratory.

·         Describe three main types of personal protective equipment used in the laboratory.

The OSHA Lab Standard

·         State the primary requirements of the OSHA Lab Standard and describe some methods of meeting that requirement.

·         Describe the general requirements of the written Chemical Hygiene Plan and explain some ways those requirements can be met.

Chemical Hygiene Practices

·         Describe some basic chemical hygiene practices that will help minimize exposure to hazardous chemicals in the lab.

Chemical Storage

·         Describe some general guidelines for chemical storage and list five classes of chemicals that should be considered for storage purposes

Emergency

·         Explain some general procedures to follow in the event of an emergency in the lab.

SUBJECTS

Hazards in the Laboratory

·         Physical Hazards

·         Health Hazards

·         Routes of Exposure

Minimizing the Risks

·         Four Basic Safety Principles

·         Personal Protective Equipment

The OSHA Lab Standard

·         General Requirements

·         The Chemical Hygiene Plan

Chemical Hygiene Practices

·         Safety Awareness

·         Minimizing Exposure

Chemical Storage

·         General Storage Requirements

·         Five Classes of Chemicals

Emergency

·         Emergency Response Plan

·         Emergency Equipment/In Case of Exposure