Lab Safety Plan - Chemical Identifcation

7. Chemical Identification

7.1. Risk Assessments

7.1.1. Prior to conducting any experiment, procedure, process or working with any equipment the lab personnel should perform a risk assessment. A risk assessment is a process that will assist the laboratory worker with identifying hazards and risk factors that will enable an evaluation of the risk associated with that hazard in an effort to eliminate or control the hazard during the procedure, process, experiment or any equipment use. Using a risk assessment approach will aid in ensuring that the laboratory environment maintains exposure limits that are below the permissible exposure limits established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). It will also minimize the risk of accidents, injuries in the laboratory.

7.1.2. Kent State University is committed to minimizing exposure to health hazards, physical hazards, accidents and injuries that may be encountered in the laboratory work environment. All laboratory workers should review operations involving use of hazardous chemicals by taking a risk-based approach. EHS can provide guidance through consultation on the appropriate engineering, administrative and personal protective equipment. Contact EHS at x24347 to get assistance with a risk assessment.  This is further discussed  in Section 8 under administrative controls.