OSHA Regulations and Your Fume Hood Lab

Plan your fume hood laboratory so that it adheres to OSHA regulations  

Nothing is more important than the health and safety of the people who work and learn in your fume hood laboratory. One of the best ways to ensure the health and safety of your employees is adhere to OSHA requirements. Not only is adhering to OSHA requirements good practice, it’s also the law.

Laboratory safety guidelines are provided in 29 CFR 1910, 1450, Occupational Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals and Laboratories.

Training Programs

According to OSHA regulations, fume hood laboratory personnel must participate in formal training before using fume hoods. In addition, regulations stipulate that the proper use of fume hoods must be addressed in formal meetings held several times per year.

Chemical Hygiene Plans

Your organization must write a Chemical Hygiene Plan to meet OSHA requirements. This plan must include:

• Standard operating procedures

• Work practices

• Prevention of hazardous chemical overexposure

The Chemical Hygience Plan must include fume hood education and training, medical consultation, record keeping, respirators, and hazardous identification.

Exposure Limits

OSHA regulations 29 CFR 1910 subpart B stipulate acceptable exposure levels of hazardous chemicals and contaminants.

Each hazardous chemical must be identified, and a Materials Safety Data Sheet must be written for each chemical.  The Materials Safety Data Sheets must be made available to each person working or learning in the fume hood laboratory. The Materials Safety Data Sheet lists:

• The name of the chemical

• Health hazards associated with the chemical

• Safe handling and use instructions

• Protective equipment requirements

• Spill clean-up procedures

• Emergency procedures

In addition to OSHA requirements, one of the best ways to ensure fume hood lab safety is to design a safe space.

Contact Labscape today to speak with our experts to assist you in all your laboratory needs.