Related pages:
Chemical Safety Levels Table	Requirements for all Chemical Work	CSL 2 Requirements	CSL 3 Requirements	CSL 4 Requirements

In this section the requirements for safety practices, safety equipment, and laboratory facilities are described for each CSL. All CSLs - CSL1 to CSL4 - laboratories must meet the minimum standard requirements. CSL2, CSL3 and CSL4 have additional special requirements.

Standard Safety Practices for CSL1 through CSL4

1. CARDINAL RULE: AVOID EXPOSURE TO ALL LABORATORY CHEMICALS. Never knowingly allow chemicals to come in contact with skin. Protect hands with appropriate protective gloves and protect eyes with safety glasses or face shield. Prevent inhalation exposure by using chemical fume hoods or other containment devices when there is a possibility of exposure to vapors, gases, aerosols, fumes, dusts, or powders.

2. Eye protection is required for all personnel and visitors in all locations where chemicals are used or stored.

3. Access to the laboratory is limited to authorized personnel during operations, and to others as designated by procedures established by the laboratory supervisor.

4. Signs identifying hazards in the laboratory are posted at the entrance to the laboratory, including a sign that displays the CSL designation for that laboratory. The telephone numbers of the laboratory supervisor and other emergency contacts are posted at the entrance to the laboratory.

5. The laboratory is maintained in a neat and orderly manner - there is a correlation between orderliness and safety in the laboratory; sloppy, unkept, cluttered laboratories pose safety hazards. All secondary containers are properly labeled. Refrigerators and freezers are cleaned, at least annually, or when there has been an overt spill.

6. Eating, drinking, and smoking are not allowed in the laboratory. Food or drink are never stored in refrigerators or freezers in the laboratory. Cosmetics are not applied in the laboratory.

7. All emergency equipment is maintained in proper working order and is checked at least annually. Exits and access to emergency equipment - such as fire extinguishers, electrical panels, emergency eye washes or showers - is not obstructed.

8. All personnel are trained in emergency procedures and know the location of emergency equipment including: emergency eye washes and showers, fire extinguishers, fire alarms, emergency exits, telephones, chemical spill kits, and personal protective equipment. Training is documented.

9. A chemical inventory is maintained continually or at least annually and is posted at the entrance to the laboratory. Chemicals are dated upon receipt and outdated or unneeded chemicals are sent for disposal through the chemical waste disposal program. Ethers and other materials which form peroxides are for disposal no more than 12 months after purchase, even if unopened.

10. A Chemical Hygiene Plan, including a laboratory-specific plan, is available for each laboratory as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA] (29 CFR 1910. 1450). This Chemical Hygiene Plan includes Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for chemicals commonly used in this laboratory. MSDSs for less commonly used chemicals or information about the hazards of those chemicals are available in EHS.

Standard Safety Equipment for CSL1 through CSL4

1. One or more fire extinguishers which meet that laboratory’s specific needs are available to each laboratory.

2. Each program provides appropriate protective clothing and personal protective equipment, including gloves, lab safety glasses or goggles, laboratory coats, and respirators where needed. Personnel are properly fitted for all respirators after medical clearance, and trained and certified in the proper use of these respirators by EHS.

Standard Laboratory Facility Requirements for CSL1 through CSL4

1. Laboratory floors are designed for easy cleaning. Seamless floors with curved junctions to walls are best for laboratories. Tile floors are also acceptable, but less desirable because chemicals can get into the seams. Carpeting is unacceptable in a laboratory setting since it is often difficult to remove spilled chemicals. Carpeting may act as a reservoir for spilled chemicals, providing a source for continued exposure to personnel.

2. Bench tops are non-porous, chemically-resistant, and seamless to the extent possible.

3. Furniture is maintained in sturdy and workable condition. All damaged furniture is repaired or replaced.

4. Aisle spaces are at least 44 inches wide and aisles are not used for permanent storage or for equipment location.

5. Electrical outlets are equipped with high-quality, low-resistance ground connections. Circuit breakers in all electrical panels are clearly labeled so that laboratory outlets and equipment circuits can be easily identified. Ground-fault interrupters are required are near sinks.

6. One hundred percent fresh air is supplied to each laboratory. Outdoor air intakes are constructed so that re-entrainment of exhausted vapors does not occur. All air in laboratories is single pass and is not recirculated. Air flow is directional from offices, corridors, and other auxiliary spaces into the laboratories.