New Toxic Chemical Standard to Take Effect

The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued a new  
"standard"  on the use of toxic chemicals in laboratories that requires 
MIT to have additional planning,  labeling and education programs in 
effect by Jan. 1, 1991. 

Professor Robert A. Alberty of the Department of Chemistry, chairman of 
the Institute Council on Environmental Health and Safety, said MIT 
departments and centers will meet the requirements of the new OSHA 
regulation by updating existing safety plans that have been revised 
annually for many years.  The new standard "will require more attention 
to chemical safety and more documentation of policies and procedures," 
he said.

The internal deadline for submitting plans to satisfy the new OSHA 
standard is Oct. 15, Professor Alberty said.

The Institute Council and the Committee on Toxic Chemicals

have been working with the Environmental Medical Service (EMS) and the 
Safety Office to prepare for the new requirement.

Professor Alberty has sent letters to all department heads summarizing 
MIT's obligations under the new regulation. 

The first step will be the designation of a departmental chemical 
hygiene officer who will help departments write and implement a chemical 
hygiene plan, which is described under the regulation. The duties and 
responsibilities of the chemical hygiene officer are outlined in an 
enclosure with Professor Alberty's letter to department heads.

Alan M. Ducatman, MD, director of MIT's Environmental Medical Service 
(EMS), said the EMS will assist departments and their chemical hygiene 
officers in writing and implementing the chemical hygiene plan.

For a number of years, MIT departments and interdepartmental labs that 
carry out experimental work have prepared safety plans which the EMS and 
the Safety Office review.