OSHA Laboratory Standard Components

OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration federal agency, is regulated under the Department of Labor in all states and territories. Under the General Duty Clause-29CFR1903.1, OSHA requires that employers must free of organized hazards that are causing, or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. These employers must comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. The Emergency Temporary Standards, which is under the Section 6 (c) (1) OSHA Act, OSHA can issue an emergency temporary standard (ETS) if the Secretary determines that "employees are exposed to a grave danger from exposure to substances or agents....; and that such emergency standard is necessary to protect employees from the danger." When OSHA conducts its inspections, there is no advance notice, unprogrammed, imminent danger, fatality or catastrophe, complaint or referrals, and is programmed when it is based on criteria such as an industry with high employee industry rates.

Complaint vs. Referral

According to OSHA regulations, a complaint is referred to as a notice of an alleged hazard given by past or present employee, a representative of the employee, or a concerned citizen. Complaints are considered more formal and must meet the complaint criteria (OSHA7 form). Serious complaints must be inspected within 30 days of filling and non-serious complaints are filed within 120 days. A referral is considered to be a notice of an alleged hazard or violation of the Act given by any source not included above, such as the news media. 

A Typical OSHA Inspection

During a typical OSHA inspection, there is an opening conference, presentation of credentials, there is an employer/employee representative present, a walk-through inspection, sample collection, and a closing conference. OSHA will grant citations if there is imminent danger, criminal/willful danger, other-than-serious, and egregious situations. Fines can range from $7,000 - $500,000 and can include imprisonment for situations with fatalities.

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OSHA inspection flow chart

Who is Exempt from OSHA?

Anyone who is self-employed, has a family owned and operated farm, regulations supported by other agencies and/or laws, and Federal/State employees. 

OSHA Information and Training

(http://safex.us/Did-You-Know/Compliance-Updates)

Statistics on workplace fatalities

Employees are required to be informed of hazard communication, which informs of hazards that can be within the laboratory setting, They also frequently trained, they begin and receive this information before working and prior to new exposures, and review periodically for a refresher. Some information items include: OSHA lab standard content, location and availability of CHP, applicable PEL's and other exposure limits, sign and symptoms of exposure, and location of hazard reference materials. Training items include: hazard recognition methods, physical/health hazards in the lab, the use of PPE and hazard control, and content of CHP. 

What's a Chemical Hygiene Plan?

They are standard operating procedures, They are relevant to safety and health of employees and contain specific steps and general rules professionals must follow. They are the employer's criteria for determining and implementing control measures, engineering controls, PPE (Personal Protection Equipment), and safe work and clean hygiene practices. Additional protection is required for particular select carcinogens that are regulated by OSHA and listed by the National Toxicology Program  as "known carcinogen" or "reasonably anticipated to be carcinogen" and known by the the International Agency for Research on Cancer as "carcinogenic to humans" or "reasonably anticipated to be carcinogen." This includes reproductive toxins, mutagens, teratogens, and acutely toxic materials.