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Home›Courses›Safety Training›Chemical Hygiene and Engineering Interactive Training Program

Chemical Hygiene and Engineering Interactive Training Program

16 minutesENSafety Training29 CFR 1910.1450 (Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories)
Quick Answer

Chemical Hygiene and Engineering is a 16-minute online course that trains laboratory personnel on the principles of Chemical Hygiene Plans as required by OSHA's Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories standard (29 CFR 1910.1450). It is designed for university and research laboratory workers and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

OSHA's Laboratory Standard at 29 CFR 1910.1450 requires every employer with a laboratory where hazardous chemicals are used to develop and implement a written Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP). Unlike the general HAZCOM standard, the Laboratory Standard recognizes the unique characteristics of laboratory work - including small quantities, diverse chemicals, and non-routine procedures - and requires a Chemical Hygiene Officer to oversee the plan. Failure to maintain an adequate CHP can result in serious OSHA citations of up to $16,550 per violation.

This course introduces your laboratory personnel to the key components of a Chemical Hygiene Plan, including standard operating procedures for chemical handling, engineering controls such as fume hoods and ventilation systems, personal protective equipment requirements, and exposure monitoring protocols. The training covers the hierarchy of controls as applied to laboratory settings and helps employees understand their role in maintaining a safe chemical work environment.

What You'll Learn

  • Purpose and required elements of a Chemical Hygiene Plan under 29 CFR 1910.1450
  • Standard operating procedures for routine chemical handling in laboratories
  • Engineering controls including fume hoods, biological safety cabinets, and ventilation systems
  • Personal protective equipment selection for laboratory chemical hazards
  • Chemical storage compatibility and segregation requirements
  • Exposure monitoring and medical surveillance provisions of the Laboratory Standard

Who Needs This Training

  • University and college laboratory instructors and teaching assistants
  • Research laboratory technicians and scientists handling hazardous reagents
  • Chemical Hygiene Officers responsible for developing and maintaining the CHP
  • New laboratory employees during initial safety orientation
  • Facility managers overseeing laboratory ventilation and engineering controls
  • Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers working in wet chemistry labs

Regulatory Background

OSHA's Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories standard (29 CFR 1910.1450), commonly known as the Laboratory Standard, requires employers to develop a Chemical Hygiene Plan that addresses the specific hazards found in their laboratories. The plan must include standard operating procedures, criteria for implementing exposure controls, provisions for medical consultations, and designation of a Chemical Hygiene Officer. The standard applies to all laboratories where 'laboratory use' of hazardous chemicals occurs - meaning small-scale, non-production use with multiple chemical procedures or chemicals in use. Employers must provide training at the time of initial assignment and whenever a new hazard is introduced. Serious violations can result in penalties of up to $16,550, and willful violations can reach $165,514 per occurrence.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Laboratory Standard (29 CFR 1910.1450) applies specifically to laboratories where hazardous chemicals are used on a small, non-production scale. It requires a written Chemical Hygiene Plan and a designated Chemical Hygiene Officer. The Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) applies more broadly to workplaces where hazardous chemicals are present. Laboratories covered by the Laboratory Standard are generally exempt from HAZCOM requirements for chemicals used in laboratory procedures, but must still comply with HAZCOM for non-laboratory operations.
Any employer covered by the Laboratory Standard must designate a Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) who is qualified to provide technical guidance in developing and implementing the Chemical Hygiene Plan. The CHO is responsible for conducting regular inspections, maintaining documentation, and ensuring employees receive appropriate training. In smaller organizations, this role may be combined with other safety responsibilities.
Training is required at the time of initial assignment to a work area where hazardous chemicals are present and whenever a new chemical hazard is introduced. OSHA does not specify a mandatory refresher interval, but annual retraining is considered a best practice. The training must inform employees about the contents of the Chemical Hygiene Plan, the PELs and exposure signs for chemicals in their work area, and the location of reference materials.
The Laboratory Standard requires employers to use engineering controls including fume hoods, ventilation systems, and other protective equipment to maintain employee exposure below applicable PELs. Fume hoods must be maintained and regularly monitored for adequate face velocity. The standard specifies that controls should be used whenever there is a potential for exceeding action levels or PELs, and that personal protective equipment is used as a supplement to - not a replacement for - engineering controls.
No. This course provides foundational knowledge about Chemical Hygiene Plans, laboratory safety principles, and engineering controls. Employers must also provide site-specific training on their particular Chemical Hygiene Plan, the specific hazards in each laboratory, the location of SDSs and emergency equipment, and the procedures unique to their facility. Online training works best as a complement to in-person laboratory orientation.

Related Courses

University and research facilities building a comprehensive lab safety program often pair this course with Chemical Hazards: Hazardous Materials Safety for broader HAZCOM awareness and HAZCOM: In The Know for detailed Safety Data Sheet training that applies both inside and outside the laboratory setting.

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$24.95
per person
Volume Pricing
Team Size Price per Person
1 - 9$24.95
10 - 24$19.95
25 - 49$17.95
50 - 99$17.50
Subtotal $24.95

Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.

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$24.95
per person