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Chemical Hygiene


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Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP)

All MIT Departments, Laboratories, Centers and Institutes (DLCI) that engage in the laboratory use of hazardous chemicals are required to develop and carry out the provisions of a written Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) that meets the requirements of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) “Laboratory Standard” and MIT policies and required procedures. CHPs are written documents that establish the administrative measures and standard operating procedures for safely and responsibly using chemical materials in laboratories. Your CHP contains information on how to safely handle corrosives, carcinogens, flammables, toxics, particularly hazardous substances, and other hazardous materials including those with physical hazards.

To assist those DLCI that must prepare a CHP, the MIT Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Office has prepared a Chemical Hygiene Plan Template. This template provides a customizable CHP that meets the Institute’s requirements for the use of common laboratory chemicals and procedures. The Template also provides assistance in the development of specialized standard operating procedures to accommodate the unique materials and procedures in specific laboratories.

Laboratory Users of Hazardous Chemicals

Every user of hazardous chemicals at MIT must be trained to handle them safely. To ensure this, all students and employees in the department who use hazardous chemicals in a laboratory must read their department’s CHP, be familiar with its contents, and complete all required chemical hygiene training which includes:

  • General Chemical Hygiene
  • Read your DLCI-specific CHP. Contact your department EHS Coordinator, Chemical Hygiene Officer, or Laboratory Rep to receive a physical or online copy of your CHP. Once you have read the CHP, contact your EHS Coordinator or Chemical Hygiene Officer to receive credit.
  • Lab-Specific Chemical Hygiene
  • Managing Hazardous Waste
  • Any additional training required for your specific work

Department Chemical Hygiene Officers

Developing a CHP

EHS has prepared a template that you can customize for your department’s unique chemicals and procedures. To develop your own plan, review the CHP Preparer’s Guide and Preparer and Reviewer’s Checklist.

DLCI’s CHP may include the information about exemption process for certain areas and processes. For example, DLCI EHS Committees may establish an exemption process for low-risk areas where less stringent clothing requirements may be acceptable. Refer to the Clothing Exemptions – Guiding Principles for details.

For additional guidance, you can contact your EHS/IHP team member.

Updating Your CHP

Every year the EHS Office updates the CHP Template according to OSHA and MIT requirements. You must incorporate these changes and update your plan annually. This year, the due date for your DLCI’s revised plan is October 13, 2023. We will review your revised plan annually for compliance with OSHA and MIT requirements.

Note: Once a plan is submitted the reviewer has 30 days to approve it. The date is assigned by the system upon your submission.

2023 CHP Template Updates

Submit your DLC CHP

Frequently Asked Questions

Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP)

All MIT Departments, Laboratories, Centers and Institutes (DLCI) that engage in the laboratory use of hazardous chemicals are required to develop and carry out the provisions of a written Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) that meets the requirements of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) “Laboratory Standard” and MIT policies and required procedures. CHPs are written documents that establish the administrative measures and standard operating procedures for safely and responsibly using chemical materials in laboratories. Your CHP contains information on how to safely handle corrosives, carcinogens, flammables, toxics, particularly hazardous substances, and other hazardous materials including those with physical hazards.

To assist those DLCI that must prepare a CHP, the MIT Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Office has prepared a Chemical Hygiene Plan Template. This template provides a customizable CHP that meets the Institute’s requirements for the use of common laboratory chemicals and procedures. The Template also provides assistance in the development of specialized standard operating procedures to accommodate the unique materials and procedures in specific laboratories.

Laboratory Users of Hazardous Chemicals

Every user of hazardous chemicals at MIT must be trained to handle them safely. To ensure this, all students and employees in the department who use hazardous chemicals in a laboratory must read their department’s CHP, be familiar with its contents, and complete all required chemical hygiene training which includes:

  • General Chemical Hygiene
  • Read your DLCI-specific CHP. Contact your department EHS Coordinator, Chemical Hygiene Officer, or Laboratory Rep to receive a physical or online copy of your CHP. Once you have read the CHP, contact your EHS Coordinator or Chemical Hygiene Officer to receive credit.
  • Lab-Specific Chemical Hygiene
  • Managing Hazardous Waste
  • Any additional training required for your specific work

Department Chemical Hygiene Officers

Developing a CHP

EHS has prepared a template that you can customize for your department’s unique chemicals and procedures. To develop your own plan, review the CHP Preparer’s Guide and Preparer and Reviewer’s Checklist.

DLCI’s CHP may include the information about exemption process for certain areas and processes. For example, DLCI EHS Committees may establish an exemption process for low-risk areas where less stringent clothing requirements may be acceptable. Refer to the Clothing Exemptions – Guiding Principles for details.

For additional guidance, you can contact your EHS/IHP team member.

Updating Your CHP

Every year the EHS Office updates the CHP Template according to OSHA and MIT requirements. You must incorporate these changes and update your plan annually. This year, the due date for your DLCI’s revised plan is October 13, 2023. We will review your revised plan annually for compliance with OSHA and MIT requirements.

Note: Once a plan is submitted the reviewer has 30 days to approve it. The date is assigned by the system upon your submission.

2023 CHP Template Updates

Submit your DLC CHP

Frequently Asked Questions