III. RESPONSIBILITIES
Purpose : A brief outline of responsibilities for those persons involved will help in the overall program direction. The following responsibilities are not all inclusive, but are designed to give guidance in initial program development. Since each laboratory or work area is different, those responsibilities may vary.
Scope : This procedure is intended to cover those employees who are directly involved with handling of hazardous materials or supervision of those activities.
Hazardous Materials Safety Committee
Responsibilities
1. Ensure all management personnel are aware of the Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP).
2. Appoint a Chemical Hygiene Officer with the authority to enforce the policies and procedures of the CHP.
3. Periodically audit the Chemical Hygiene Plan's progress and implementation.
Chemical Hygiene Officer
Responsibilities
1. Provide technical assistance/guidance to administrators, laboratory directors and supervisors in developing and implementing chemical hygiene procedure and practices.
2. Monitor procurement, use and disposal of chemicals in the laboratory.
3. Maintain an up-to-date file of material safety data sheets or appropriate alternative. Maintain an inventory of all hazardous chemicals in an
up-to-date manner.
4. Help laboratory managers or project directors develop and implement the use of adequate procedures and use of protective equipment to protect employee health.
5. Know the current legal requirements with respect to the CHP, regulated substances and disposal methods.
6. Coordinate emergency procedure and fire department activities related to hazardous chemicals.
7. Conduct audits to determine the implementation and effectiveness of the CHP and compliance with university policy.
Laboratory Director/Manager/Faculty Member
Responsibilities
1. Review operations with supervisors to determine what jobs/procedures require chemical hygiene training.
2. Maintain an up-to-date chemical inventory. Changes to the inventory should be made as they occur. A review of the entire inventory will be conducted at least annually.
3. Follow-up to ensure supervisors are carrying out prescribed university policy.
4. Notify the Chemical Hygiene Officer of any operating changes affecting the hazardous chemicals being used or new chemical hazards being introduced into the laboratory.
5. Insure up-to-date records are maintained on training of all employees required to handle hazardous chemicals. Submit training documentation to the Personnel Department for inclusion in the employee's record.
6. Assist the CHO in development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for chemical safety when hazardous chemicals are used in laboratory.
Laboratory Supervisor
Responsibilities
1. Identify all jobs/procedures requiring the use of hazardous chemicals and list those chemicals.
2. With the assistance of the Laboratory Director and the CHO, develop SOP's that address safe handling of hazardous chemicals in the laboratory.
3. Insure provision and documentation of training employees in the safe handling of hazardous chemicals using established SOP's.
4. Periodically inspect engineering controls and personal protective equipment.
5. Make routine surveys of the work area to ensure practices are being followed.
6. Ensure manufactures'/suppliers' labels have not been defaced or removed.
7. Ensure that a copy of the Chemical Hygiene Plan and the MSDS manual are readily accessible to the laboratory users.
8. Enforce applicable safety and health rules.
Laboratory Employee/Users
Responsibilities
1. Obey established safety rules.
2. Follow established SOP's when performing any work with hazardous chemicals.
3. Know where the CHP and the MSDS's are kept in the laboratory.
4. Use engineering controls and personal protective equipment as required by laboratory standard operating procedures.
5. Inform your supervisor of:
a. Any symptoms of overexposure that may possibly be related to hazardous chemicals.
b. Missing labels on containers
c. Malfunctioning safety equipment.
6. Do not remove or deface labels on the containers.
7. Know the location of, and how to use the MSDS, emergency equipment, first aid supplies, emergency eyewash, engineering controls devices, etc.
8. Know your role in emergency procedures.
9. Know the emergency evacuation route from the laboratory.