OSHA

OSHA Regulations

This federal agency was established in 1971 to be responsible for the health and safety of employees in the workplace. In 1985 the Hazard Communication standard, ("Right to Know Law"), took effect and OSHA became a very well know agency. And in 1988 Congress decided that the Hazard Communication standard should not only apply to employees in manufacturing jobs, but to any employee working with or around hazardous materials.

OSHA does not consider students in college laboratories as employees. However, if you are a student employee of the University, and perform lab-related activities, then you are protected by OSHA standards. Students in science laboratories are still responsible for proper safety procedures when handling hazardous materials.

• Hazard Communication Standard
• Occupational Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories Standard
• EPA Standards you should Know
• Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act
• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
• Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
• Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Important OSHA Standards

• Hazardous Waste Operators and Emergency Response Standard -- HAZWOPER protects employees who deal with hazardous waste encountered on the job. This standard addresses large-scale hazardous waste handling and disposal operations. However, universities are affected by the HAZWOPER standard. In the event of a hazardous materials spill, who can respond to the situation? Only employees who have met the HAZWOPER training requirements can responds according to OSHA. Therefore, if a large quantity of hazardous chemical is spilled, do not attempt to clean up the spill. You are not qualified unless you have completed HAZWOPER training.

  In the laboratory, usually spills are not large enough to require HAZWOPER-trained personal to respond. But, if you are involved in or see a large spill, evacuate the area and call EMERGENCY 911 or 6777 and then contact your instructor or supervisor immediately. Also, if there is a release of a particularly dangerous material, allow persons with training to deal with clean-up and disposal.

• Bloodborne Pathogen Standard -- Hazardous chemicals do not technically include blood, tissue containing blood, live viruses, and bacteria. But OSHA does regulate the use and handling of these potentially dangerous materials. The Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens standard mandates the use of appropriate protective clothing and equipment in order to prevent exposure to bloodborne pathogens like Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

  Unfortunately, in today's society, one must be extra careful when blood or body fluids of another person is involved. The potential of contracting a deadly viral decease makes emergency situations involving a bleeding victim extremely hazardous. One should avoid contact with another person's blood or body fluid unless appropriate gloves and goggles are worn. Never try to pick up broken glass, needles or sharp objects that have punctured someone else's skin without using tools and waste containers that will prevent further punctures to others.