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03. Responsibilities

Responsibilities

This section includes but is not limited to responsibilities outlined in 29 CFR 1910.1450 Appendix A.

The NPS Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) on behalf of the NPS President will:

  1. Establish, maintain, and revise the chemical hygiene plan (CHP).
  2. Create and revise safety rules and regulations.
  3. Work with the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) Hazardous Material Control and Management (HMC&M) Program Officer and departmental HM representatives to monitor procurement, use, storage, and disposal of chemicals. Conduct periodic inspections of the laboratories, preparations rooms, and chemical storage rooms. Submit laboratory inspection reports to applicable lab PIs, departmental safety and HM representatives, department chairs, and the NPS OSHE Directorate. Submit statistical reports of deficiencies for safety committee and council meetings. Report deficiencies in ESAMS.
  4. Maintain inspection, training, and inventory records. Obtain training records and monthly inventories for the PIs and HM representatives.
  5. Assist laboratory supervisors in developing and maintaining adequate facilities.
  6. Seek ways to improve the chemical hygiene program (i.e. develop laboratory self-audit forms).
  7. Provide general chemical hygiene training.
  8. Work with the assigned BUMED Industrial Hygiene Officer for exposure assessments, evaluations of exposure control, and criteria for exposure control measures. Ensure control measures are contained in the SOPS prior to the command acknowledging the SOP.
  9. Maintain employee exposure records.
  10. Coordinate emergency response for chemical spills too large to be controlled by lab or safety personnel.
  11. Investigate laboratory accidents and incidents.
  12. Monitor compliance with the program and perform an annual evaluation of this Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Program.

Directors and Department Heads:

  1. Assume responsibility for personnel engaged in the laboratory use of hazardous chemicals.
  2. Provide the chemical hygiene officer (CHO) with the support necessary to implement and maintain the CHP.
  3. After receipt of lab inspection reports from the CHO, meet with lab supervisors to discuss cited violations and to ensure timely actions to protect trained lab personnel and facilities and to ensure that the department remains in compliance with all applicable federal, state, university, local and departmental codes and regulations.
  4. Provide budgetary arrangements to ensure the health and safety of the departmental personnel, visitors, and students.
  5. Ensure departmental compliance with all the procedures outlined in this program.

NPS Safety Coordinator and Representative Committee:

  1. Review accident reports and make appropriate recommendations to the department chairperson regarding proposed changes in laboratory procedures.

Principal Investigator/Supervisor of the laboratory (PI):

  1. Implement a CHP and maintain safe lab practices.
  2. Comply with the CHP and ensure lab personnel do not operate equipment or handle hazardous chemicals without proper training, equipment, and authorization.
  3. Develop and implement a laboratory-specific CHP using this template.
  4. Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) that address the specific safety procedures used in the lab to protect employees.
  5. Inform students and personnel working in the laboratory of any medical examinations and exposure monitoring required per the Industrial Hygiene Survey or OSHE Office.
  6. Inform those same personnel to coordinate medical surveillance with the NPS OSHE Office, and inform the OSHE Office of lab personnel who should be enrolled in a medical surveillance program.
  7. Ensure personnel in the laboratory know the emergency response procedures for chemical spills, injuries and overexposures.
  8. Keep records of percentages and chemicals (name, manufacturer, CAS#s) mixed and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) for chemicals produced in the laboratory for inter- and/or intra-laboratory use.
  9. Maintain an inventory of chemicals used in the lab and in Lab Fume Hoods.
  10. Provide area-specific chemical safety training to students and lab staff and work with the HM representative to input training documentation into ESAMS. For students, a training roster with the subject date name and signature is adequate. Forward a copy of the student training roster to the CHO and Training Officer.
  11. Ensure lab personnel wear personal protective equipment (PPE) that is compatible to the degree of hazard of the chemical.
  12. Follow all pertinent safety rules when working in the lab to set an example.
  13. Review lab procedures for potential safety problems before assigning to other lab personnel.
  14. Ensure visitors follow lab rules and assume responsibility for lab visitors.
  15. Ensure PPE is available and properly used by each lab employee and visitor.
  16. Perform regular, formal chemical hygiene and housekeeping inspections, including routine inspections of emergency equipment. Forward documentation of these inspections to the CHO.
  17. Follow all conditions of the permit when an air permit is required for the laboratory fume hood. Monitor the facilities and the chemical fume hoods to ensure that they are maintained and function properly. Contact the safety and coordinators, designated by the department chair, to report problems with the facilities or the chemical fume hoods.

The HM representative:

  1. Work with administrators and employees to help develop, review, and implement appropriate chemical hygiene plans, policies, and practices within the school and department.
  2. Monitor procurement, use and disposal of chemicals used in the labs assigned.
  3. Coordinate an annual evaluation of the laboratory CHPs within the department and provide guidance on updating the plans as necessary.
  4. Inform all newly-hired lab employees of specific chemical hazards present in the laboratory.
  5. Update the department's chemical inventory on a monthly basis and providing a copy to the OSHE office. Update SDSs as necessary.
  6. Ensure laboratory self-audits are conducted.
  7. Act as a liaison between the laboratory and NPS OSHE Directorate.
  8. Provide area-specific chemical safety training when needed and document training in ESAMS. For students, a training roster with the subject date name and signature is adequate. Forward a copy of the student training roster to the CHO and Training Officer.

Laboratory personnel:

  1. Read, understand, and follow all safety rules and regulations that apply to the work area. Know and follow the lab's SOPs and Chemical Hygiene Plan.
  2. Plan and conduct each operation in accordance with the institutional chemical hygiene procedures.
  3. Promote good housekeeping practices in the lab during work.
  4. Report accidents, possible overexposures or unsafe conditions or practices in the work area to the lab supervisor/ PI.
  5. Use appropriate personal protective equipment and required controls for each procedure that involves hazardous chemicals or when required by an SOP, instruction, other guidance, CHO, HM rep, or PI.