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:
- Chemical Hygiene Officer
- Establishes, maintains, and revises the chemical hygiene plan (CHP).
- Creates and revises safety rules and regulations.
- Monitors procurement, use, storage, and disposal of chemicals.
- Conducts regular inspections of the laboratories, preparations rooms, and chemical storage rooms, and submits detailed laboratory inspection reports to administration.
- Maintains inspection, personnel training, and inventory records.
- Assists laboratory supervisors in developing and maintaining adequate facilities.
- 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
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU> On Behalf Of Kristin Daws
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2023 8:25 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] [NAOSMM] CHO training
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.
Amy and everyone ...
There are no official guidelines.
LSI offers courses that address this issue based on 30 years of experience teaching about how to be a more effective Chemical Hygiene Officer.
There is also the certification program offered by the National Registry of Certified Chemists, www.nrcc6.org. It is not required.
Call or write to me if you would like more information.
Regards ... Jim
PS. LSI now has virtual lab inspections, safety program evaluations, document reviews, plus courses and seminars ... all virtual. And, a complimentary, updated version of our classic Laboratory Safety Guidelines is now available on our website ... https://www.labsafety.org/product/lab-safety-rules
James A. Kaufman, PhD
Founder/President Emeritus
The Laboratory Safety Institute (LSI)
A Non-profit Educational Organization
for Safety in Science, Industry, and Education
192 Worcester Street, Natick, MA 01760-2252
(O) 508-647-1900 (F) 508-647-0062 (C) 508-574-6264
Skype: labsafe; 508-401-7406 jkaufman**At_Symbol_Here**labsafety.org www.labsafety.org
Teach, Learn, and Practice Science Safely
Does anyone know if there are any official guidelines on what "training" a person needs to be a CHO for their institution?
The OSHA lab standard just says CHO's need to be trained, but I'm looking for federal or state guidelines that discuss the specific type of training. Or are there no specifics on this and it's just up to institutions as to what constitutes appropriate training for someone to be a CHO?
Amy Hopkins, M.S.
Community College of Denver
PO Box 173363, Campus Box 750
303-352-6917 (p)
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