ABSTRACT
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards provide rules that protect workers, including those who work in laboratories, from chemical hazards as well as biological, physical, and safety hazards. OSHA's Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories standard, referred to as the Laboratory Standard, specifies the mandatory requirements of a CHP to protect laboratory workers from harm attributed to hazardous chemicals. The hazard communication standard requires evaluating the potential hazards of chemicals and communicating information concerning those hazards and appropriate protective measures to employees. The Bloodborne Pathogens standard, including changes mandated by the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act of 2001, requires employers to protect workers from infection with human bloodborne pathogens in workplace. The Hand Protection standard requires employers to select and ensure that workers use appropriate hand protection when their hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances, severe cuts or lacerations, severe abrasions, punctures, chemical burns, thermal burns, and harmful temperature extremes.
