Chemical Hygiene Plan - Queensborough Community College ...

• Record keeping requirements
• Guidelines for selecting PPE
• Hazard assessment certification
More information on PPE can be found in the OSHA Safety and Health topics page on Personal
Protective Equipment.
11.1 Laboratory Responsibilities for Personal Protective Equipment
Laboratory personnel need to conduct hazard assessments of specific operations occurring in
their laboratories to determine what PPE is necessary to carry out the operations safely. PPE
must be made available to laboratory workers to reduce exposures to hazardous chemicals in the
lab. Proper PPE includes items such as gloves, eye protection, lab coats, face shields, aprons,
boots, hearing protection, etc. PPE must be readily available and most equipment is provided at
no cost to the employee.
When deciding on the appropriate PPE to wear when performing any operations or experiments,
a number of factors must be taken into consideration such as:
• The chemicals being used, including concentration and quantity.
• The hazards the chemicals pose.
• The routes of exposure for the chemicals.
• The material the PPE is constructed of.
• The permeation and degradation rates specific chemicals will have on the material.
• The length of time the PPE will be in contact with the chemicals.
Careful consideration should be given to the comfort and fit of PPE to ensure that it will be used
by laboratory personnel.
All personal protective equipment and clothing must be maintained in a sanitary and reliable
condition. Only those items that meet NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and
Health) or ANSI standards should be purchased or accepted for use.
Please Note: P.I.s, laboratory supervisors, departments, and colleges are free to
set policies that establish minimum PPE requirements for personnel working in
and entering their laboratories. Check with your EHSO to see if there are any
department or college specific requirements for PPE.
11.2 Training for Personal Protective Equipment
Laboratory personnel must be trained in the selection, proper use, limitations, care, and
maintenance of PPE. Training requirements can be met in a variety of ways including videos,
group training sessions, and handouts. Periodic retraining should be offered to both the
employees and supervisors as appropriate. Examples of topics to be covered during the training
include:
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