It is MIT policy that employees and students who may be exposed to hazards on the job should be informed of the nature of the hazards and how to protect themselves. Every department, laboratory, and center that works with chemicals has developed a Chemical Hygiene Plan, that outlines chemicals in use and standard safe operating procedures. The chain of responsibility flows from the principal investigator or supervisor to the department head to the MIT administration.

As a service to the community, the Institute provides a number of services to evaluate and inform the community about hazards in the laboratory and other work environments at MIT. It is directed by an occupational health physician who is available for consultation about occupational health concerns at no cost to the MIT community. The EHS industrial hygienists, health physicists, and microbiologists are available to evaluate a laboratory or work place for exposure hazards.

If the work place or laboratory involves chemicals, the Industrial Hygiene Program will evaluate the worksite as follows: an industrial hygienist will visit the work place and talk with the concerned employee. A list of chemicals in use and the procedures in which they are used will be generated. A review of the scientific literature for hazards of the chemicals will be conducted. Exposure controls such as local exhaust ventilation or personal protective equipment will be evaluated. Possibly air sampling will be conducted to ensure that if there is any exposure, it is below safe levels.