The purpose of the Chemical Hygiene Committee (CHC) shall be to oversee the Chemical Hygiene Plan, that lays out laboratory work practices, policies, and procedures intended to minimize hazardous chemical exposure to students, staff and faculty. The CHC makes recommendations, guidelines and policies to ensure lab safety programs meet the requirements of:
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 'Laboratory Standard', 29 CFR 1910.1450
- The Oregon OSHA, Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories, OAR 473-002-0360
- The Oregon DEQ, Hazardous Waste Management Rules, OAR 340-101 and 40 CFR, Part 261
- The Oregon State Fire Marshall applicable rules, Chapter 837 Division 90 and Chapter 837 Division 12
The CHC, in collaboration with the Office of Research and Graduate Studies (RGS), College of Liberal Arts & Science (CLAS) and Environmental Health & Safety (EHS):
- Provides expert advice on issues related to the implementation of the Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) to promote an effective laboratory safety program.
- Reviews campus incidents and best laboratory practices related to research and teaching use of hazardous and toxic substances. Makes appropriate recommendations for changes in standard laboratory practices and procedures.
- Develops, implements and reviews PSU’s laboratory safety manual.
Responsibilities
- Develops and suggests recommendations, guidelines and policies for laboratory safety standards, training and incident response
- Annual review of the CHP.
- Periodic review of recent laboratory accidents/incidents and audit/inspection findings.
- Review and approve all lab site-specific standard operating procedures upon request.
- Coordinates with departmental safety committees (such as the Chemistry Safety Committee) and EHS.
Membership
The CHC shall be composed of faculty members, staff and graduate students from departments that use hazardous and toxic substances, as well as the Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO). These members will act as a liaison to their respective departments on lab safety matters.
The EHS department in cooperation with department heads and other campus stakeholders will identify the CHO.
The committee will be compiled of (at least) one member from each of the following departments:
Department of Chemistry
Department of Biology
Department of Environmental Science and Management
Department of Geology
Department of Physics
Department of Art
Department of Geography
(At least) One Department from the College of Engineering
Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering
The committee shall include the following ex-officio members:
- Chemical Hygiene Officer (EHS)
- Laboratory Safety Specialist (EHS)
- Member(s) from RGS
A list of current committee members may be found on the Chemical Hygiene Committee Members webpage.
Each department (excluding the ex-officio members) will have one vote to contribute, even if there is more than one member of the department on the committee. The chair will also be able to contribute a vote and/or act as a tiebreaker in the case there are only an even number of voters. A quorum will be met if at least four of the represented departments have representatives present.
The committee shall nominate and vote on a chair. The chair will serve for a minimum of two years.
The committee/Chair will appoint a secretary. The responsibilities of the secretary include, but not limited to, compiling the meeting minutes, sending out the doodle poll for future meetings and writing the agenda (with guidance from the Chair). Other tasks may be delegated to the secretary, as necessary.
CHC members shall serve a minimum of two years.
Chair Responsibilities
- Chair is appointed by the committee
- Chair directs meetings
- Chair works directly with committee members, Research Integrity, Institutional Officials and Investigators (with goal of chemical safety)
- Chair is involved in/directs review process and assigns members to review new and existing chemical safety protocols/Chemical Hygiene Plan
- Chair can call special meetings, or designate sub-committee
- Chair may be asked to speak directly with science department faculty (meetings) in order to convey importance of new protocol/policy\
Meeting Minutes
Meeting minutes are captured during committee meetings. Minutes from the previous month are reviewed for accuracy during the current months meeting and approved by members to be finalized.
OSHA requires safety committee meeting minutes to be maintained for at least three years. These records are maintained and stored electronically by EHS and are also available on the Meeting Minutes webpage.
Near-Miss and Incident Reporting
Both reportable and non-reportable incident reports are discussed during the meeting. For laboratory related near-miss and incidents, please submit a report at the Near-Miss and Incident for PSU Laboratories webpage.
Chemical Hygiene Plan
Portland State University (PSU) has committed to create, maintain, and enhance a safe and healthful environment for all individuals associated with the institution, including students, faculty, staff, volunteers and visitors. A part of demonstrating this commitment to chemical safety is documenting the program in the Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP). The campus Chemical Hygiene Committee is tasked with reviewing and updating this plan, as needed.