V. Employee Information and Training
Purpose : This procedure outlines the university's policy for training employees who are required to handle hazardous chemicals.
Scope : The information and Training Program will teach employees about the hazards of the chemicals used in their areas and the protective measures by which they can protect themselves from exposure to these chemicals. As a minimum, the following areas will be covered either in training sessions or provided as reference materials to which each employee has ready access:
Procedures :
- The contents of Federal Standard, "Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories";
- The university's Chemical Hygiene Program and where it is located;
- Permissible Exposure Limits for chemicals regulated by OSHA and other established exposure limits which will be used during employee exposure determination;
- Symptoms associated with overexposure to hazardous materials;
- Hazards of chemicals used in the laboratories. This will be accomplished by showing the employee how to read MSDS's and manufacturers' labels;
- For additional information on the hazards of chemicals, the employees will have access to reference material in the library;
- Use of personal protective equipment;
- Standard operating procedure to be used when hazardous chemicals are used;
- Emergency procedures;
- Storage procedures;
- Waste disposal.
Training Program :
A. The program will be presented in three parts. Basic concepts in chemical hazards will be presented using an audio/visual program.
1. Part I will present an explanation of the OSHA regulation, the university's Chemical Hygiene Plan and where this and other reference material containing additional information on the hazards, safe handling, storage and disposal of hazardous chemicals is located.
2. Part II will include information on the hazards associated with chemicals found in the employees work area(s).
- Chemical Hygiene Plan
- A detailed explanation of the CHP will be provided to the employee including all applicable parts of the CHP.
- Standard Operating Procedures
- Review the SOP's specific to the lab where the employee works in detail.
3. Training will be provided as follows:
a. New hires will be trained during the orientation period of their employment. Specific hazard information and control measures will be presented by the lab supervisor during the second week following assignment to a specific lab before the employee works with hazardous chemicals.
b. Transferred employees will be trained by the lab supervisor during the week in the new department before working with hazardous chemicals.
c. Supplemental training, i.e., when new chemicals hazards or new procedures with new hazards are introduced into the lab will be presented to the employee affected by the lab supervisor with assistance from CHO.
d. Refresher training will be provided as determined by the lab supervisor/manager and the CHO. An annual refresher in selected aspects of chemical hazards is desirable.
B. All training will be documented:
1. The personnel department will maintain a listing of employees who have received training.
2. The individual presenting training will obtain signatures for employees receiving training, including any transferred employee who receives training. The documentation will be ˘ forwarded to the personnel department as a permanent record.