I. Policy

It is the policy of USCA to provide a safe work place that is in compliance with all State and Federal guidelines. There are certain chemicals in use on the USCA campus, which are defined as hazardous. If there is a choice among materials to use for a given activity, the least hazardous one should be used and the smallest possible quantities kept in inventory. 
  
a. Use of Hazardous Chemicals

The following applies to department/areas that use hazardous chemicals. 

1. All chemicals will be handled and stored in a safe manner.
2. Labels on containers of incoming shipments of chemicals will not be removed or defaced until the container is empty, clean and ready for disposal.
3. All chemical containers on the USCA campus will be labeled appropriately and according to USCA policy.
4. MSDSs received with incoming shipments will be maintained within the department/area.
5. An MSDS will be obtained from the supplier for chemicals received without an MSDS and the MSDS will be procured as soon as practical.
6. No chemical will be used in a work area until an MSDS is obtained from the manufacturer, importer, or distributor.
7. MSDSs will be readily accessible during each work-shift to employees when they are in their work areas.8.

b. Training:  Employees will be trained in the safe storage and handling of chemicals. Training will include but will not be limited to the following:                                        

1. Identification of health and physical hazards provided on labels and MSDSs.

2. The departmental requirements for labeling chemical containers and alternatives to in plant labeling of chemical containers.

3. The location of MSDSs and other written materials that employees will need to be informed of how to protect themselves.

4. The use and selection of Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE).USCA requires all employees to wear PPE that is appropriate for the hazard.

5. Standard operating procedures, work practices and engineering controls used by the department/area.

6. Departmental procedures for responding to emergencies and chemical spills/leaks.

II. Procedures

a. Responsibility 

1. The Department/Area Administrator is responsible for departmental compliance with all relevant USCA health and safety programs, policies and procedures related to chemical hazards and hazardous wastes.
2. The Department/Area Administrator is responsible providing the Environmental Health &  Safety Manager (ESH) with the written information needed to complete or supplement the general provisions any relevant USCA health and safety program, policy or procedure for managing hazardous wastes or chemicals on the USCA campus.
3. The Department/Area Administrator is responsible for ensuring that all employees (including student employees) are informed of their responsibilities under the USCA health and safety programs, policies or procedures for managing hazardous wastes or chemicals through departmental training and/or training provided by ESH.
4. The Department/Area Administrator is responsible for assigning specific tasks and duties to employees within his/her department/area as needed to assist in departmental compliance with all USCA health and safety programs, policies and procedures related to chemical hazards and hazardous wastes.
5. Supervisors and Faculty (in laboratories and classrooms) are responsible for identifying the hazardous wastes and chemicals being used or stored in their area and for managing them safely and in accordance with all USCA health and safety programs, policies or procedures.
6. Supervisors and Faculty are responsible for informing all employees (including student employees) in their area of the proper use, storage and disposal procedures for chemicals.
7. Faculty are responsible for informing the students in their laboratories and classrooms about the proper handling and disposal procedures for chemicalsbefore the chemical is introduced to the student.
8. Faculty are responsible for supervising students working with chemicals. Faculty will be available to students at all times when the students are using chemicals.
9. USCA employee's responsible for purchasing chemicals must ensure that chemicals identified as a "P-listed" under the listed wastes in the EPA standard 40 CFR 261 are not purchased. Execute the following to retrieve a current copy of EPA "P-listed" wastes online from the Government Printing Office:

B.  Hazard Communication and Chemical Hygiene Programs 
  
USCA has implemented a Chemical Hygiene Plan for compliance with the OSHA standard 1910.1450, Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories. Laboratories will comply with this standard and any applicable substance specific standards. All other areas will comply with the OSHA Hazard Communication standard, 1910.1200.USCA will begin working on a Hazard Communication Program for compliance with this standard in 1999. Contact the OSEM for questions or information. 

III.  Related Policies

IV.  Reasons for Revision

      Annual Review