IU Chemical Hygiene Plan

The Laboratory Safety and Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) is a written program for ensuring the safe use of chemicals in laboratories at Indiana University. It describes policies, procedures, and control measures that must be understood and observed by all individuals involved in the laboratory use of chemicals.

Link to Complete Chemical Hygiene Plan

Chemical Hygiene Plan

Major Emergencies

In the event of an accident in the laboratory which involves a fire, explosion, or a large release of a hazardous chemical:

• Evacuate the building by activating the nearest fire alarm.
• Call 911 to give the details of the accident including the location, personal injuries, and types of hazardous material involved.

If the accident also involves chemical contamination orserious personal injury (e.g. profuse bleeding, broken bone, unconsciousness, immobile victim, etc.) follow the steps above and:

• Move the victim from the immediate area of the fire, explosion, or spill (but only if thiscan be done without further injury to the victim or to you).
• Remove any contaminated clothing from the victim and flush all areas of the body contacted by chemicals with copious amounts of water for 15 minutes.
• Administer first aid as appropriate and wait for emergency medical responders to arrive.

Minor Emergencies

If the accident involves minor injuries requiring treatment, report to the medical services provider for your respective campus (See Medical Consultation and Examinations):

• Administer first aid as appropriate and report to the appropriate supervisor or to the administrative office in the building or department as necessary.
• Responsible departmental personnel such asfaculty, staff, or building managers should coordinate transportation assistance for the injured person upon request.
• Use departmental vehicles whenever possible or voluntary use of personal vehicles if necessary.
• Drivers must have a valid driver’s license and observe local speed limits and traffic ordinances.

In the event of an accident in the laboratory which involvesa minor chemical release or spill(with no personal injuries):

Follow the Chemical Spill Response Procedures –Chemical Hygiene Plan

For assistance contact the IUEHS representative for your respective campus.

Emergency Procedures
For medical emergencies, fire and building evacuation, severe weather, and spills, leaks and odors please follow the procedures outlined by Indiana University Emergency Management and Continuity (IUEMC) at https://protect.iu.edu/emergency-planning/procedures/index.html.
In the event of an accident in the laboratory which involves a minor chemical release or spill (with no personal injuries):
• Follow the IU Biological, Chemical, Radiological Spill Reporting Program
• For assistance contact Indiana University Environmental Health and Safety (IUEHS) at
https://protect.iu.edu/environmental-health/ehs-divisions/index.html

Incident Reports
All laboratory incidents must be reported:
• Submit Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) required occupational injury report and worker’s compensation claims to Human Resources at https://hr.iu.edu/workers.
• Report all incidents (including non-injury and near-misses) to IUEHS.
• All incidents involving chemicals must be reported to IUEHS using the Spill or Incident Follow Up Report Form available at https://protect.iu.edu/machform/view.php?id=40365 even if they are handled internally by lab members.

Fires and Fire Alarms
If a fire alarm sounds, laboratory workers should:
• Extinguish open flames (Bunsen burners, alcohol lamps, etc.) and close the fume hood sash.
• Exit the building immediately to a designated assembly area.
• Report any incident information to the IU Police Department (IUPD) and stay available for a personnel count or any questions.

If a fire occurs, laboratory workers should:
• Pull the fire alarm and evacuate.
• Any employee may use an extinguisher to clear a route to make an escape.
• Employees who have received annual field training* in the use of extinguishers may use an extinguisher to fight an incipient fire but must evacuate if the fire is not immediately extinguished (if the fire is not extinguished after using one fire extinguisher then evacuate the building).
• Clothing can be extinguished using the Stop, Drop, and Roll method, a fire blanket, or the emergency shower.
• Water reactives and burning metals may be extinguished using Class D fire extinguishing media.
• If chemicals are involved in the fire, follow your building emergency action plan as required. Then notify your designated building representative, contact IUEHS, and be prepared to provide information regarding the specific chemicals involved to IUEHS and emergency responders when they arrive.

* Insurance, Loss Control and Claims (INLOCC) approved annual field training
(https://inlocc.iu.edu/Policies/fet.cfm)