Lehman College Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP)

OSHA’s Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories standard (“OSHA Laboratory Standard”, 29 CFR 1910.1450), specifies the mandatory requirements of a Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) to protect laboratory workers from harm due to hazardous chemicals. The CHP is a written program stating the policies, procedures and responsibilities that protect workers from the health hazards associated with the hazardous chemicals used in that particular workplace.

The CHP (along with additional plans that address other aspects of laboratory activities) is the foundation of a Laboratory Safety Program. The CHP addresses worker protection and chemical hazards in a laboratory setting (workers in non-laboratory settings are covered under OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard). Most of the elements of the CHP are reiterated elsewhere in the “realm” of Laboratory Safety at Lehman College. All students, faculty and staff who work in laboratories are required to be familiar with the components of the CHP, and are strongly encouraged to read it in its entirety.