Environment, Health & Safety

UCLA's Chemical Hygiene Plan

UCLA strives to provide a healthy and safe working environment for the campus community, free from recognized hazards in accordance with UCLA Policy 811 . The Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) establishes a formal written program for protecting laboratory personnel against adverse health and safety hazards associated with exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals and is available to all employees working with hazardous chemicals. The CHP describes the proper use and handling practices and procedures to be followed by faculty, staff, students, visiting scholars, volunteers, and all other personnel working with potentially hazardous chemicals in laboratory settings. This plan is based on best practices identified in, among others sources, “Prudent Practices for Handling Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories ,” published by the National Research Council and the American Chemical Society’s “Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories.” 

The CHP applies to all laboratories that use, store or handle potentially hazardous chemicals and all personnel who work in these facilities.  It does not apply to research involving exclusively radiological or biological materials, which are covered by safety procedures and outlined in the Radiation Safety Manual  and the Institutional Biosafety Plan , respectively.  Research involving more than one type of hazard must comply with all applicable regulatory requirements and follow guidance outlined in the relevant safety manuals. Additional oversight may be required based on the work being done.

The information presented in the CHP represents best practices and provides a broad overview of the information necessary for the safe operation of laboratories that utilize potentially hazardous chemicals. It is not intended to be all inclusive.  Departments, divisions or other work units engaged in work with hazardous chemicals that have unusual characteristics not explicitly covered in this CHP, must customize the document by adding additional sections addressing the hazards and how to mitigate their risks, as appropriate. Such customizations must receive prior approval from the PI/Laboratory Supervisor and/or the UCLA Office of Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S). See Policy 907 – Safe Handling of Particularly Hazardous Substances  or additional information on substances that may trigger these additions.  For information on specific chemical safety topics not covered in the CHP, please contact EH&S at 310-206-3661 or laboratorysafety@ehs.ucla.edu.