Chemical Hygiene Plan

I.Policy and Purpose

1. Policy

   It is the policy of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (as represented by the MIT Corporation and the Office of the President) to provide a safe and healthy workplace in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and the regulations of the Department of Labor including 29CFR1910.1450 "Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories". The full standard is in Appendix A.

2. Purpose

   This document presents the Chemical Hygiene Plan for the Plasma Science and Fusion Center as required by the above regulation. The purpose of the Plan is to describe proper practices, procedures, equipment and facilities for employees, students, visitors, or the persons working in each laboratory at the Institute in order to protect them from potential health hazards presented by chemicals used in the laboratory workplace, and to keep exposures below specified limits. It is the responsibility of faculty, administration, research and supervisory personnel to know and to follow the provisions of this Plan. Each affected Department or other major administrative unit will appoint a Chemical Hygiene Officer who is responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring and updating the plan annually. Affected departments are all those maintaining laboratories containing toxic chemicals, as defined by law.

II.Responsibility, Authority, and Resources

1. Plasma Science and Fusion Center Director: Miklos Porkolab, NW16-288, x3-8448.

   1. The PSFC Director has the responsibility and the authority to see that the Chemical Hygiene Plan is written, updated and implemented for the PSFC.
   2. Catherine L. Fiore is designated as the Chemical Hygiene Officer for the PSFC in accordance with the definition provided in paragraph (b) of the 29 CFR 1910.1450 and requirements outlined in section II.B. of this document.
   3. The PSFC Director has the final responsibility for the safety and health of the employees, students and visitors conducting work in the PSFC and visitors.

2. Chemical Hygiene Officer

   Plasma Science and Fusion Center Chemical Hygiene Officer:

   Catherine L. Fiore Room: NW21-203 Extension: 3-8440

   Requirements

   The OSHA laboratory standard requires designation of a Chemical Hygiene Officer. Within MIT, this means that each department or other major administrative unit which uses laboratory chemicals must appoint its own Chemical Hygiene Officer.

   Definition:

   The Chemical Hygiene Officer is an employee designated to develop and implement the (DEPARTMENTAL) written Chemical Hygiene Plan. The Chemical Hygiene Officer will have appropriate authority to assist with development and administration of departmental plans.

   Duties:

   The Chemical Hygiene Officer has the following responsibilities:
   

   1. To oversee the implementation of the PSFC Chemical Hygiene Plan for the department and to to work with laboratory supervisors to implement the plan at the level of individual laboratories.
   2. To work with Administrators and Principal Investigators to monitor safe procurement, use, and disposal of chemicals.
   3. To assist responsible supervisors with required safety audits and their documentation (which includes documentation of training).
   4. To advise responsible supervisors concerning adequate facilities and procedures under the regulation.
   5. To seek ways to improve the Chemical Hygiene Program.
   6. To review and update the Chemical Hygiene Plan annually and to provide the EHS office with an updated copy.
   7. To act as a liaison between the EHS Co-Coordinators and the research staff.
   8. To chair the PSFC-EHS Committee (aka the PSFC Safety Committee)
   9. To provide access to the PSFC Chemical Hygiene Plan to all affected employees, visitors and students by maintaining the current verion on the PSFC Safety web site.  Paper copies are maintained at the PSFC library, in the ESH office, and at the major chemical use sites in NW21 and NW22.
   10. To review new proposed experiments for health, safety, and environmental impacts when chemicals are involved.
   11. To participate in accident investigations when chemicals are involved and provide a liaison to the EHS Office in the event of such and investigation.
   12. To attend the annual CHO meeting conducted by the EHS Office when possible.
       

   In addition, the Chemical Hygiene Officer will be responsible for knowing the contents of the relevant regulation (Occupational Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories, 29CFR1910.1450) as well as the Departmental Chemical Hygiene Plan.

   Resources:

   The Chemical Hygiene Officer may call upon Departmental Administrative Officers for administrative support, upon the EHS Office, EHS Coordinator, and EHS Representative for assistance, as well as upon Principal Investigators who will provide specific information concerning their laboratories.

3. Laboratory Supervisors, Group Leaders, Asst. Group Leaders and Technical Supervisors

   The Supervisors duties, as defined in the OSHA Laboratory Standard and the MIT Chemical Hygiene Plan, are the responsibility of the Principal Investigator. For laboratories with no Principal Investigator, the Supervisors duties are assumed by the person with authority over all laboratory functions. That person shall be designated by the director should such a situation develop.

   The primary responsibility of the supervisor or the person with authority over the work area, in concert with the Industrial Hygiene Program, is to institute the Chemical Hygiene Plan and ensure compliance with the OSHA Laboratory Standard. The supervisor shall:

   1. Ensure that all work is conducted in accordance with the PSFC Chemical Hygiene Plan;
   2. Define the location of work areas (designated areas) where toxic substances and potential carcinogens will be used, and ensure that the inventory of these substances is properly maintained; Supervisors will ensure that toxic substances will be used in a properly designated area such as a laboratory hood;
   3. Obtain, review, and approve standard operating procedures, detailing all aspects of proposed research activities that involve hazardous agents;
   4. Prepare a standard operating procedure (SOP) for use of test substances when this use involves alternate procedures not specified in these guidelines. The SOP shall include a description of the alternate procedure and an assessment of alternate controls that will be used;
   5. Define hazardous operations, designate safe practices, and select protective equipment;
   6. Ensure that program and support staff receive instructions and training in safe work practices, use of personal protective equipment, and in procedures for dealing with accidents involving toxic substances;
   7. Ensure that employees understand the training received;
   8. Ensure that all personnel obtain the medical examinations and protective equipment necessary for the safe performance of their job. Specific medical examinations and surveillance requirements are described in sections III. I. (Personal Protective Equipment), III M. (Monitoring & Employee Assessment), and III O. (Medical Surveillance).
   9. Monitor the safety performance of the staff to ensure that the required safety practices and techniques are being employed;
   10. Arrange for workplace air samples, swipes, or other tests to determine the amount and nature of airborne and/or surface contamination, inform employees of the results, and use data to aid in the evaluation and maintenance of appropriate laboratory conditions;
   11. Assist representatives of MIT central EHS when necessary;
   12. Conduct formal laboratory inspections as required to ensure compliance with existing laboratory S.O.Ps;
   13. Ensure that SOP's include procedures for dealing with accidents that may result in unexpected exposure of personnel, or the environment, to a toxic substance;
   14. Investigate accidents and report them to the Chemical Hygiene Officer. Include procedures that will minimize the repetition of that type of accident;
   15. Report to the Chemical Hygiene Officer incidents that cause (1) personnel to be seriously exposed to hazardous chemicals or materials, such as through the inoculation of a chemical through cutaneous penetration, ingestion of a chemical, or probable inhalation of a chemical or that (2) constitute a danger of environmental contamination;
   16. Ensure that action is taken to correct work practices and conditions that may result in the release of toxic chemicals;
   17. Ensure that all chemical spills are cleaned-up and that resulting wastes are properly disposed.
   18. Properly dispose of unwanted and/or hazardous chemicals and materials in accordance with the MIT hazardous waste disposal procedure;
   19. Make copies of the approved safety plan available to the program and support staff.
   20. Correct any safety violations or program deficiencies detected by the Safety Committee inspections.

   PSFC LAB SUPERVISORS ARE:

   First	Last	Room	Phone		First	Last	Room	Phone
   TIMOTHY	ANTAYA	NW22-139	3-8155		RONALD	BALLINGER	NW22-117	3-5118
   WILLIAM	BECK	NW21-103	3-8682		ALAN	BINUS	NW21-205	3-6027
   LESLIE	BROMBERG	NW16-108	3-6919		WILLIAM	BURKE	NW21-111C	3-8429
   WILLIAM	BYFORD	NW21-109	3-5982		BILL	COCHRAN	NW21-110	8-8837
   DANIEL	COHN	NW16-106B	3-5524		GARY	DEKOW	NW21-106	3-6177
   JAN	EGEDAL	NW16-132	3-8692		CATHERINE	FIORE	NW21-203	3-8440
   ED	FITZGERALD	NW21-107	3-6114		JEFFREY	FREIDBERG	NW16-243	3-8670
   JOHAN	FRENJE	NW17-250	2-4941		DARREN	GARNIER	NW17-225	3-8997
   ROBERT	GRANETZ	NW17-184	3-8634		MARTIN	GREENWALD	NW17-107	3-6053
   CHEN-YU	GUNG	NW22-111	3-7082		AMANDA	HUBBARD	NW17-113	3-3220
   JERRY	HUGHES	NW17-172	2-1797		IAN	HUTCHINSON	NW17-186	3-8760
   JAMES	IRBY	NW21-111	3-8629		YUKI	IWASA	NW14-3101	3-5548
   JAY	KESNER	NW17-213	3-8662		PETER	KOERT	NW21-204	3-8463
   BRIAN	LABOMBARD	NW17-109	3-6942		MIN-CHANG	LEE	NW16-240	3-5956
   CHI-KANG	LI	NW17-262	3-0934		YIJUN	LIN	NW21-103	3-8706
   BRUCE	LIPSCHULTZ	NW17-103	3-8636		PAT	MACGIBBON	NW21-205	3-5997
   					EARL	MARMAR	NW17-105	3-5455
   IVAN	MASTOVSKY	NW21-152	3-5838		PHILLIP	MICHAEL	NW22-137	3-3186
   JOSEPH	MINERVINI	NW22-139	3-5503		WILLIAM	MULLIGAN	NW16-166	3-8649
   RICK	MURRAY	NW21-111B	3-0886		RON	PARKER	NW17-288	8-6663
   WILLIAM	PARKIN	NW21-108	3-6506		RICHARD	PETRASSO	NW17-256	3-8458
   ANDY	PFEIFFER	NW21-106	3-8605		SAM	PIERSON	NW21-205B	3-0236
   MIKLOS	PORKOLAB	NW16-288	3-8448		JOHN	RICE	NW17-174	3-6052
   YURI	ROKHMAN	NW21-183	3-4813		WILLIAM	ROWAN	NW17-115	3-8663
   MIKE	ROWELL	NW21-106	3-8499		STEVEN	SCOTT	NW17-182	3-8695
   JOSEPH	SNIPES	NW17-178	3-8698		PETER	STAHLE	NW22-197	2-1012
   MAKOTO	TAKAYASU	NW22-109	3-8358		RICHARD	TEMKIN	NW16-186	3-5528
   DAVID	TERRY	NW21-188	3-5453		JAMES	TERRY	NW17-176	3-8637
   PAUL	THOMAS	NW116-130	3-8430		RUI	VIEIRA	NW21-204	3-8161
   STEPHEN	WOLFE	NW17-101	3-5510		PAUL	WOSKOV	NW16-110	3-8648
   STEVE	WUKITCH	NW21-203	3-8138		JIM	ZAKS	NW21-107	3-6070
   ALEXANDER	ZHUKOVSKY	NW22-209	3-2133

4. Employees, Staff and Students

   Employees, as defined by the MIT Chemical Hygiene Plan, are those staff under the direction of the Supervisor, as defined by the Plan. Employees not under the direction of the Supervisor, but who are in an area under the direction of the Supervisor, are also subject to the MIT Chemical Hygiene Plan and the SOP's in effect in that area. Non-employees, such as students and visiting scientists, are equally subject to the plan, as described below.

   The primary responsibility of the employee is to follow the procedures outlined in the MIT Chemical Hygiene Plan and all applicable SOP's under that plan.

   This includes the following:

   1. Understanding and following all applicable SOP's;
   2. Understanding the hazards of chemicals they use and the signs and symptoms of excess exposure to them.
      
   3. Attending all required training and understanding all training received;
   4. Understanding the function and proper use of all personal protective equipment. Wear personal protective equipment when mandated or necessary;
   5. Reporting to your supervisor or the Chemical Hygiene Officer any significant problems arising from the implementation of the SOP's;
   6. Reporting to your supervisor and the Chemical Hygiene Officer all facts pertaining to every accident that results in the exposure to toxic chemicals, and any action or condition that may exist that could result in any accident;
   7. Contacting your supervisor, the Chemical Hygiene Officer, the EHS coordinator, or the MIT EH&S Team if any of the above procedures are not clearly understood.
   8. Making sure that spent chemicals are disposed of properly and in a timely manner.
      
5. Visitors, Minors, Pets

To ensure the health and safety of visitors, minors and tours to laboratories where potential hazards may exist guidelines should be followed which can be found in an EHS SOPs titled Visitors and Tours Guideline # EHS-0036 and Minors and Pets in Laboratories, and other areas using or storing hazardous materials # EHS-0069 both located at http://web.mit.edu/environment/ehs/topic/sops.html 


The Institute promotes a health learning and research environment by controlling potential health hazards and nuisances including prohibiting pets from laboratories and other registered spaces. The exception is for service dogs, police dogs and animals used in research and teaching. Additional guidance can be found in EHS SOP # EHS-0069 mentioned above.

6. The EHS Coordinator 
The EHS Coordinator will monitor compliance with environmental, health and safety ("EHS") laws and regulations and MIT practices within the department, laboratory, or center ("DLC"), and that the DLC and its Principal Investigators/Supervisors are implementing their responsibilities under MIT’s EHS Management System ("EHS Requirements"). The EHS Coordinator supports the DLC head in his or her responsibility for DLC EHS performance. The EHS Coordinator will work closely with the MIT EHS Office lead contact and other designated EHS team members to the DLC to assure that EHS Requirements are satisfied. To do this, the EHS Coordinator shall:
1. Monitor that all activities in the DLC and in each individual lab (including teaching labs), facility or space achieve EHS Requirements.
2. Recognize and understand generally the use of potentially hazardous materials (e.g., chemicals, biologicals, radioactives) and how to conduct potentially hazardous activities in accordance with EHS Requirements.
3. Actively seek approaches, methods and new techniques to reduce or avoid the use of hazardous or toxic materials, and disseminates this information to the members of the DLC, on a regular basis, and at least annually.
4. Contact the MIT EHS Office lead contact person or the other MIT EHS Office designated team members for assistance with potentially hazardous materials and potentially hazardous activities.
5. Work with the MIT EHS Office to develop procedures for satisfying EHS Requirements.
6. Report promptly to the MIT EHS Office, and as appropriate, MIT emergency responders, and takes measures to address and prevent recurrence of, accidents, spills, unsafe conditions, and other violations of EHS Requirements.
7. Take appropriate EHS training provided through the EHS office to be able to function as EHS Coordinator.
8. Ensure that all DLC personnel (including students, employees and visitors) receive appropriate training for the nature of their work, in accordance with the training component of MIT’s EHS Management System; updates in a timely fashion training records in the DLC’s portion of MIT’s training database. Track that DLC, or laboratory/facility arranging for contractors has provided appropriate orientation and information to the contractors. Assist PIs/supervisors to obtain and maintain their laboratory/facility registrations.
9. Conduct periodic inspections of representative laboratories and facilities in the DLC, formally with its EHS Committee and informally without such committee, and reports results in a timely fashion as required by the EHS Management System. When addressing a situation within the DLC is necessary, works closely with the EHS Office lead contact and DLC EHS Committee to track its conduct and completion as well as its effectiveness to avoid repetition of performance problem.
10. Participate in developing an inventory system of potentially hazardous materials that is reasonable and useful to DLCs, and reports results in a timely fashion as required by the EHS Management System.
    
11. Co-chair the DLC EHS Committee together with a senior faculty member or researcher from the DLC.
12. Maintain close regular contact, including regular meetings, as needed with EHS Representatives and other EHS Coordinators for the DLC.
13. Maintain regular communication with the MIT EHS Office concerning the achievement of EHS Requirements, and actions needed to satisfy EHS Requirements, including submitting data, reports and other information, as relevant.
14. Maintain communication with senior leadership in the DLC and in a individual lab, facility, or space concerning the achievement of EHS Requirements, and actions needed to satisfy EHS Requirements.
15. Attend regular meetings (e.g., quarterly) between EHS Coordinators from other DLCs and staff of the MIT EHS Office to benchmark, share information, receive updates and training, identify trends and needs for system improvements and conduct other related business concerning the achievement of EHS Requirements. Participates in design of system changes if/when warranted.
16. Meet periodically (at least annually) with the DLC Head/Director, the EHS Representatives, and the PI/Supervisors, along with representatives of the MIT EHS Office to discuss performance trends and other issues concerning the achievement of EHS Requirements and actions needed in the DLC to satisfy EHS Requirements.

7. Environmental Health and Safety Team
   

   Responsibility

   The Environmental Health and Safety Team (EHS) is the component of the Environmental Programs Office of MIT charged with responsibility for control, review, monitoring and advice with respect to exposure to chemical, radiological, and biological agents used in research and teaching. The Safety Program is a separate component of the same group charged with responsibility for oversight and control of physical hazards in the workplace, including fire protection, electrical and other safety hazards arising from work at the Institute. Chemical waste disposal is handled by the Environmental Management Program, which is also part of the Environmental Programs Office.

   Authority

   Representatives of MIT EHS have authority to stop any activity which is immediately hazardous to life or health in their judgement. In addition, the Radiation Protection Program and Reactor Radiation Protection Program have regulatory authority as part of MIT's license to use radioactive materials from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Apart from these conditions, MIT EHS personnel act in an advisory capacity to the individual Departments, etc., to help them provide a safe and healthful workplace.

   Resources

   The Environmental Health and Safety Team has a number of health physicists, microbiologists, industrial hygienists--all members of the staff--who devote their skills to the protection of the Institute community from radiation, toxic chemical, and biological hazards. All members of the Institute community should feel free to consult with the MIT EHS Team if they are concerned about the safety of operations involving potential toxic chemical, microbiological or radiation exposure. These staffs offer the following services to the Institute:

   The Safety Program evaluates and implements safety policies and reviews new and existing equipment and operating practices to minimize hazards to the Institute community and visitors from fire, electricity, explosion, pressure, and machinery. The Safety Program conducts accident investigations, suggests remedial measures and procedures. It also publishes the MIT Accident Prevention Guide. Training and assistance in conducting special accident prevention programs are available as required.

   The Environmental Management Office coordinates the collection of potentially hazardous chemicals.

   The services of the MIT EHS Team are available both in emergency situations and in an advisory capacity to answer questions from anyone at the Institute. However, procedures for safe use and disposal of chemicals or radioactive substances start in the laboratory; therefore students, post-doctoral fellows and technicians must be informed about their responsibilities and the procedures to be followed by the Chemical Hygiene Officer/Supervisor.

   Emergencies

   All EHS programs provide 24-hour on-call personnel to respond to off-hours needs. They can be reached through the Operations Center, Ext. F-I-X-I-T (253-4948) and Campus Police (253-1212) or the Medical Department (253-4481). Dial 100 for Assistance in Any Emergency.

   The ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, and SAFETY (EHS) OFFICE shall:

   1. Oversee process for annual update of the CHP, reminding CHOs and EHS Coordinators when annual CHP updates are due and reviewing updated plans.  See the CHP Preparer’s Guide on the CHP website (http://web.mit.edu/environment/ehs/chp.html) for more information on the annual update process.
   2. Provide a standard CHP template for use in developing and updating Chemical Hygiene Plans.
   3. Provide “General Chemical Hygiene” training by classroom, web, or when requested by a DLC.
   4. Provide “Managing Hazardous Waste” training by classroom, web, or when requested by a DLC.
   5. Provide materials and guidance to assist with Lab-Specific Chemical Hygiene Training.
   6. Establish and maintain a system for maintaining training records.
   7. Conduct an annual meeting for CHOs and EHS Coordinators to update them regarding changes in the Template, the EHS Management System, and to review significant chemical safety concerns from the year.
   8. Conduct special investigations and exposure monitoring, as requested or as required by regulations, making recommendations for control when needed.
   9. Participate in inspections of laboratory operations at least once a year.
   10. Oversee the fume hood survey program.
   11. Provide guidance regarding selection and use of personal protective equipment.  When respirators are required, provide services to ensure personnel are provided the proper equipment, to ensure the equipment fits properly, and to ensure users receive the required training.
   12. Provide guidance and review standard operating procedures (SOPs) for new experiments or operations, as requested.
   13. Provide, as requested, chemical safety information and guidance for appropriate controls of hazards such as proper personal protective equipment and local exhaust ventilation.
   14. Assist with investigations of serious accidents or chemical exposure incidents.
   15. Report all DLC-specific accidents and incidents, as appropriate, to the DLC EHS Coordinator

8. PSFC Safety Committee

The PSFC has established a Safety Committee consisting of personnel from within the PSFC. A description of the Safety Committee activities is found in the PSFC Safety Committee Charter (Appendix B). The primary responsibility of the Safety Committee with respect to this Chemical Hygiene Plan is to develop a laboratory inspection procedure and to ensure that formal laboratory inspections are conducted on a semi-annual basis. Results of the inspections will be discussed at Safety Committee meetings and will be presented to the area supervisor. The Safety Committee assists in conducting the annual chemical inventory of the PSFC.

9. Office of Environment, Safety and Health (ES&H)

   In order to more effectively oversee the safety of PSFC personnel, the Director has created the PSFC Office of Environment, Safety and Health (ES&H). It is headed by Dr. Catherine Fiore. As Head of ES&H at the Center, she has full authorization to act on behalf of the Director in the interest of the safety of PSFC personnel and equipment. In this position, with Matt Fulton, she serves as the EHS co-coordinator and chairs the PSFC Safety Committee. The Office of ES&H is also staffed by:

   • Bill Byford, Assistant Safety Officer and Plant Engineer. His duties include performing regular walk-through safety inspections of all PSFC experimental areas and assisting with all operational requirements:
   • Matt Fulton, Facilities and Safety Coordinator. His duties include administrating, coordinating and developing PSFC safety training and meetings, teaching CPR, and assisting with the promulgation of safety procedures and documents.  He is also EHS co-coordinator.
   • Nancy Masley, Administrative Assistant. Her duties include administrative support for all ES&H Office activities and administrative support for the PSFC Facilities Coordinator.

     The primary responsibility of the ES&H Office with respect to the Chemical Hygiene Plan is to maintain the CHP and relevant materials; maintain the controlled copies of the SOP's; and maintain training records for all PSFC personnel.

Continue to Chapter III, PSFC Chemical Hygiene Plan

This page maintained by Catherine L. Fiore FIORE@PSFC.MIT.EDU
updated 1/7/2008