Guidelines for care & Use of Dry Solvent Stills [Example]

L. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Working with Hazardous
Chemicals
1. Sources of Chemical Risk Assessment Information for SOPs
Several governmental entities regulate workplace chemical use. Many list various categories and
classes of dangerous chemicals which do not necessarily coincide with those of other agencies. For
example, the EPA‟s list of “extremely hazardous chemicals” contains fewer chemicals than OSHA‟s general
description of extremely hazardous chemicals (“acutely toxic” hazardous chemicals), for which no official
list exists. Nevertheless, all institutions must have safeguards in place for working with both EPA and
OSHA regulated extremely hazardous chemicals. Carcinogens are regulated by several different agencies,
none of whom agree entirely on a definitive all-inclusive listing. What follows is a summary description of
all regulations which apply to the Chemistry Department‟s use of any chemical whatsoever. All
research and undergraduate teaching laboratories in Salem Hall must provide students with standard
operating procedures (SOPs) to be followed when laboratory work involves the use of hazardous chemicals.
"The Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) must include the necessary work practices,
procedures and policies to ensure that employees are protected from all potentially
hazardous chemicals in use in their work area. Hazardous chemicals as defined by the
final standard include not only chemicals regulated in 29 CFR part 1910, subpart Z, but
also any chemical meeting the definition of hazardous chemical with respect to health
hazards as defined in OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200"
[from Federal Register, Vol. 55, No. 21, page 3300].
"Hazardous Chemical means any chemical which is a physical hazard or a health
hazard".
"Physical hazard means a chemical for which there is scientifically valid evidence
that is a combustible liquid, a compressed gas, explosive, flammable, an organic peroxide,
an oxidizer, pyrophoric, unstable (reactive) or water reactive".
"Health hazard means a chemical for which there is statistically significant
evidence based on at least one study conducted in accordance with established scientific
principles that acute or chronic health effects may occur in exposed employees." (29, CFR
1910. 1200, Hazard Communication Standard).
The OSHA Laboratory Standard, the final standard, (29 CFR 1910.1450), defines a hazardous
substance as
". . .a chemical for which there is statistically significant evidence based on at
least one study conducted in accordance with established scientific principles
that acute or chronic health effects may occur in exposed employees. The
term health hazard includes chemicals which are carcinogens, toxic or highly
toxic agents, reproductive toxins, irritants, corrosives, sensitizers, hepatotoxins
nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, agents which act on the hematopoietic systems and
agents which damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes."
As you can see, the law is rather insistent that you consider any and all aspects of a chemical’s
hazardous properties in preparing a Standard Operating Procedure for working with it. You should also
notice that many of these laws overlap or use previous laws as the basis of newer ones.
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