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Publication: January 2007. For information about changes, please see the Revision History.

Chapter 40: Hazardous Materials

Overview

Chemicals and materials for which occupational exposure poses a health or safety risk are considered hazardous materials at SLAC. Hazardous materials are routinely used and stored at SLAC, and their acquisition, use, handling, storage, and disposal are strictly controlled to provide a safe work environment and protect the health of SLAC personnel and guests.

The hazards associated with chemicals and materials are communicated to personnel and mitigated through the hazard communication (HazCom) program and the chemical hygiene program (CHP). The hazardous materials inventory at SLAC is managed through the use of a comprehensive chemical management services (CMS) system, developed for the specific chemical lifecycle at SLAC and based on the existing supply chain model used to acquire hazardous materials and chemicals. (CMS site) These three components make up the hazardous materials program.

Operations at SLAC include elements covered by the following Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards:

1. "Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories" (chemical hygiene) (29 CFR 1910.1450)
2. "Hazard Communication" (29 CFR 1910.1200)

Descriptions of the specifics for these standards are included in General Requirements, Chemical Management Services and Chemical Hygiene Program (pdf sections 5.1.1and 5.1.3). This chapter satisfies the requirements for a written hazard communication program.

This chapter describes the requirements for informing personnel of chemical and material hazards in their work areas and the controls used to mitigate these hazards. The CMS and associated procedures used for inventory control and the requirements for the management of hazardous materials are also described in this chapter. While the role of hazardous materials management in pollution prevention and hazardous waste reduction is described in this chapter, the management of hazardous waste and pollution prevention are covered in detail in Chapter 17, "Hazardous Waste", and Chapter 22, "Waste Minimization and Pollution Prevention".

Hazards/Impacts

SLAC operations involving the handling, storage, use, or disposal of hazardous materials may pose a risk to the health and safety of personnel. These hazards must be communicated to all potentially exposed persons. Operations involving potential chemical exposure to personnel must include appropriate hazard controls to ensure exposures are kept below occupational exposure limits. Operations involving the use of hazardous materials that may adversely impact the environment or generate hazardous waste must be managed to mitigate impacts through waste reduction and pollution prevention.

Scope

The requirements of this chapter apply to the purchasing, use, handling, storage, transportation and disposal of all hazardous materials, and apply to all employees, subcontractors, and users.

Radioactive materials are not covered by this chapter. Radioactive material procurement, handling, use, and storage are covered in Chapter 9, "Radiological Safety".

Exemptions

Chemical Exemptions

Materials containing hazardous chemicals that are inextricably bound in a product and cannot be released, and consumer products used for the purpose intended by the manufacturer in quantities not greater than those purchased by the average consumer, are exempt from the requirements of this chapter.

Implementation

This chapter is in effect for all new installations and operations involving hazardous materials. For existing hazardous materials operations, Hazardous Materials: Implementation Plan [pdf] identifies the implementation deadlines for the various sections of this chapter. If there is a justifiable reason to request an extension for compliance, a written request must be submitted to the hazardous materials program manager.