The OSHA Lab Standard is quite clear that there should be a designated Chemical Hygiene Officer. While many of the duties of a CHO can certainly be carried out by a committee, the Chemical Hygiene Plan should designate one individual.  The requirement is that the employer should appoint an individual who is qualified by “training or experience”, though neither of these terms is defined by the Standard. Appendix A of the Standard provides more information on the responsibilities of the CHO  -

Persons responsible for chemical hygiene include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Chemical Hygiene Officer
1. Establishes, maintains, and revises the chemical hygiene plan (CHP).
2. Creates and revises safety rules and regulations.
3. Monitors procurement, use, storage, and disposal of chemicals.
4. Conducts regular inspections of the laboratories, preparations rooms, and chemical storage rooms, and submits detailed laboratory inspection reports to administration.
5. Maintains inspection, personnel training, and inventory records.
6. Assists laboratory supervisors in developing and maintaining adequate facilities.
7. Seeks ways to improve the chemical hygiene program.

I hope this is helpful. Please let me know if you are interested in more information or in the NRCC certification program for CHOs.

Russ

Russ Phifer

Executive Director

National Registry of Certified Chemists

rphifer**At_Symbol_Here**nrcc6.org

610-322-0657

As a follow-up question to Amy’s question about the qualifications of a CHO, can an orh operate using a Chemical Hygiene Committee rather than having a designated Chemical Hygiene Officer? Our campus just has a committee but I told our new Arts and Science Dean that OHSA requires a designated CHO. She asked me to look into the requirements for that position and send her a memo.

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