Chemical Hygiene Plan - Queensborough Community College ...

The use of all types of respiratory protection at QCC is governed by the OSHA standards and
enforced by PESH. A laboratory worker at QCC may not purchase a respirator and bring it to
their lab for personal use without prior approval from their EHSO. Please refer to your
college’s respiratory protection program or consult with your EHSO.
The following are situations where respiratory protection would be appropriate for laboratory
workers (after consultation with the EHSO):
• The use of disposable respirators (e.g., N95 filtering facepieces/dust masks) for weighing
powdery or dusty materials. Note: Most disposable respirators do not offer protection
against chemical vapors and fumes; they are for use of nuisance dust only. The use of
disposable respirators may or may not be regulated by OSHA depending upon the
circumstances of use. In order to determine if OSHA regulations apply, please contact
your EHS Office to schedule a hazard assessment prior to using a disposable respirator.
• The voluntary use of N-95 respirators in the laboratory is permitted. OSHA requires the
following reading: (Mandatory) Information for Employees Using Respirators When not
Required Under Standard – 29 CFR 1910.134 Appendix D.
• The use of large volumes of certain hazardous chemicals, such as formaldehyde in a
room where dilution ventilation or capture devices will not be able to offer adequate
protection.
• Changing out cylinders of hazardous gases. (Additional training is required).
• Cleaning up hazardous chemical spills. (Additional training is required.)
• To reduce exposure to some chemicals to which certain individuals may be or may
become sensitive.
• When mixing chemicals that may result in more hazardous vapors from the combination
of chemicals versus the exposure to each chemical alone or when the potential for an
unknown exposure exists. However, laboratory staff should try to conduct such
experiments in a fume hood.
Please note, as a measure of coworker protection, when weighing out dusty materials or
powders, consider waiting until other coworkers have left the room to prevent possible exposure,
and thoroughly clean up and decontaminate working surfaces.
There are some situations in which the use of a respirator would be prohibited:
• When the air in a laboratory is severely contaminated and immediately dangerous to life
and health (IDLH).
• When the air in a room does not have enough oxygen to support life (less than 19.5%).
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