Chemical Hygiene Plan - Queensborough Community College ...

ensure that personnel working in laboratories under their supervision have been trained to use
these SOPs.
Appendix P has examples of various laboratory Standard SOP’s used at various research
institutions.65
10.2 Procedural Controls
Procedural controls incorporate best management practices for working in a laboratory. These
practices serve not only to protect the health and safety of personnel, but provide a way of
increasing productivity in a laboratory. Through implementation of good practices, laboratories
can expect an increase in the efficient use of valuable lab space, in the reliability of experiments
because of less potential contamination, and an increase in the awareness of health and safety
issues by laboratory personnel. Following the practices outlined in this Lab Safety Manual
should also result in a decrease in the number of accidents, injuries, and spills. This may also
reduce the overall liability for the P.I., the laboratory supervisor, and the College. Procedural
controls are fundamental to instilling safe work behavior and helping to create a culture of safety
within the laboratory environment.
10.2.1 Housekeeping
Housekeeping refers to the general condition and appearance of a laboratory includes:
• Keeping all areas of the lab free of clutter, trash, extraneous equipment, and unused
chemical containers. Areas within the lab that should be addressed include benches,
hoods, refrigerators, cabinets, chemical storage cabinets, sinks, and trash cans.
• Keep all containers of chemicals closed when not in use.
• Cleaning up all chemicals spills immediately, regardless of whether the chemical is
hazardous or not. When cleaning up a chemical spill, look for any splashes that may
have resulted on nearby equipment, cabinets, doors, and counter tops. For more
information on cleaning up spills, see the Chemical Spill Procedures section.
• Keeping areas around emergency equipment and devices clean and free of clutter. This
includes items such as eyewash/emergency showers, electric power panels, fire
extinguishers, and spill cleanup supplies.
• Keeping a minimum of three feet of clearance (as required by FDNY codes) between
benches and equipment. Exits must be clear of obstacles and tripping hazards such as
bottles, boxes, equipment, and electric cords. Combustible materials may not be stored in
exits (including corridors and stairways), exit enclosures, boiler rooms, mechanical
rooms, or electrical equipment rooms.
• When storing items overhead, keep heavier and bulkier items closer to the floor. New
York State (NYS) Building Code prohibits the storage of combustible material (such as
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