Appendix A to OSHA 1910.1450, titled “National Research Council Recommendations Concerning Chemical hygiene in Laboratories” although NOT MANDATORY, does state:

General Laboratory Design Considerations

Wet chemical spaces and those with a higher degree of hazard should be separated from other spaces by a wall or protective barrier wherever possible. If the areas cannot be separated, then workers in lower hazard spaces may require additional protection from the hazards in connected spaces.  

1. Laboratory Layout and Furnishing

a.                      Work surfaces should be chemically resistant, smooth, and easy to clean.

b.                      Hand washing sinks for hazardous materials may require elbow, foot, or electronic controls for safe operation.

c.               Wet laboratory areas should have chemically resistant, impermeable, slip-resistant flooring.

Donald R. Thomas 
Director, Technical Service and Quality Programs

Office:  1.662.751.2641

Cell:     1.662.571.4250
drthomas**At_Symbol_Here**cfindustries.com

We have a lab in our radiology department that stores and uses chemicals in space with carpeting. They have also conducted lead soldering in that space in the past. We state in our laboratory safety manual that carpet is not allowed in labs and we have noted this issue on all of their inspection reports, but they have said that they will not prioritize this unless there is a state or federal regulation that we can point to. We have explained that the manual is an institutional policy document, but that doesn’t seem to mean much to them. Does anyone here know of a regulation that specifically addresses this issue?

ALEX HAGEN

fischera**At_Symbol_Here**uw.edu / www.ehs.washington.edu

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