July 2008, version 1.1
This document replaces all previous versions of the UA Chemical Hygiene Plan

Getting Started

3. Information and Training

Before any hazardous chemical is received or any hazardous procedure is conducted, information on the chemical's hazards, safe handling, operations, hazard control measures, proper storage, waste disposal, and emergency procedures, must be known to those involved. To ensure you are provided with this vital training, the following three components are required: general laboratory chemical safety training, reading the Manual, and lab-specific chemical safety training.

3.1) General Laboratory Chemical Safety Training: RM&S provides web-based training through the Laboratory Chemical Safety (LCS) Management System, to furnish all laboratory personnel, including administrators, supervisors, and Lab Workers, with a general overview of laboratory chemical safety and the University's Laboratory Chemical Safety Manual and to give supervisors ample background knowledge for developing laboratory-specific training. The training follows the Manual and supportive information (see GETTING HELP).

3.1.1) The training program covers the following topics:

3.1.1.1) An overview of possible physical and health hazards associated with chemicals (see:Chemical Safety Information - Chemical Hazards Overview);
3.1.1.2) The signs and symptoms associated with exposures to these hazardous chemicals (see: Chemical Safety Information - Chemical Hazards Overview);
3.1.1.3) The location and availability of information on chemical hazards, including, but not limited to material safety data sheets (see: Chemical Safety Information - Finding Chemical Hazard Information);
3.1.1.4) Permissible exposure limits (PEL's) and/or recommended limits or Threshold Limit Values (TLV's) for hazardous chemicals (see: Chemical Safety Information - Chemical Risk Assessments);
3.1.1.5) Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical, such as monitoring, appearance, or odor (see: Chemical Safety Information - Chemical Risk Assessments);
3.1.1.6) The basic principles for controlling hazards (see: Chemical Safety Information - Principles for Controlling Chemical Hazards), and
3.1.1.7) An overview of the Manual, including an outline of the contents, selected details, and its availability.

3.1.2) Supervisors must ensure that all Lab Workers complete the training before they are allowed to use or handle chemicals without close supervision and guidance.

3.1.3) Lab Workers must pass a training proficiency test with a score of not less than 85%.

3.1.4) The web-based, general laboratory chemical safety training is accessible through the Laboratory Chemical Safety Management System.

3.2) Read the Laboratory Chemical Safety Manual: As part of the general chemical safety training, all Lab Workers are required to read and understand the Manual before beginning work with hazardous chemicals in the laboratory.

3.3) Laboratory-Specific Information and Training: Supervisors are required to provide Lab Workers with training and information to ensure that they are apprised of the specific hazards, control measures and emergency procedures existing in their particular area of work.

3.3.1) At a minimum, Lab Workers must be informed of the applicable details of the Manual and trained on the following:

3.3.1.1) The specific classes of physical and health hazards (e.g. corrosive, carcinogenic, flammable, water-reactive chemicals) associated with the hazardous chemicals they may come in contact with in the laboratory where they work;
3.3.1.2) The methods which are to be used to control these hazards, including engineering and administrative controls and personal protective equipment, and
3.3.1.3) Any laboratory-specific emergency procedures and the location and proper use of safety equipment (e.g. fume hood, fire extinguisher, emergency eyewash and shower).

3.3.2) The supervisor must ensure that the information and training is presented before Lab Workers are allowed to use or handle chemicals in their laboratory.

3.3.3) Training must be communicated in a manner readily understandable to those being trained. This may require written as well as oral transmission of information.

3.3.4) Additional training and information must be provided by the supervisor when new chemicals, processes, procedures or equipment presenting new classes of health, safety, and/or environmental, concerns are introduced into the laboratory.

3.3.5) Frequency of refresher training and information must be determined by the supervisor.

Go to General Laboratory Chemical Safety Practices