Safety plans collect information on hazardous materials and processes, in support of regulatory requirements and emergency response. Planning and preparation for prudent and safe use of such materials and processes are predicated on a comprehensive safety plan that is the shared responsibility of researchers, faculty, staff and students.
New Principal Investigators:
If you are a New Principal Investigator (PI) or have been promoted recently to a PI, please register here.
- After registering, a confirmation email will be sent and the safety plan assessment can then be completed referencing these step by step instructions.
- While secondary safety contacts can create plans on behalf of the PI, it is expected that the PI will finalize the signature pages associated with their plan.
After registering, complete the Safety Plan Assessment in EHSA.
- Step by step instructions can be found here.
Existing Principal Investigators:
If you are a current PI with an existing Safety Plan in EHSA, please see the following guidelines for renewing your Safety Plan. You will receive an email reminder for plan renewal.
Resource Information
For additional information about responsibilities and expectations of the PI, please see the New Faculty / Principal Investigator Resources page.
- If you are a Lab Worker, to view your PIs Safety Plan or Waste Submittal, please ensure your PI or Lab Manager has added you to the general permit.
Background of Safety Plans
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) administers the workplace safety and health regulations in the United States. The OSHA regulation entitled “Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories” (29 CFR 1910.1450, commonly referred to as the “Laboratory Standard”) requires the development of a “Chemical Hygiene Plan” which states how the university will implement the requirements of the Laboratory Standard to provide a safe and healthy work environment for its employees. NC State’s application of this standard is broader in scope and is applied to all areas that store and use hazardous materials and processes. University Safety Plans are intended to fulfill these OSHA requirements as well as all other regulatory standards of local, state, and federal governing bodies.
Laboratory Safety Plans and the ACS Tutorial
The American Chemical Society (ACS) handbook is intended to be the foundation of each safety plan. The university’s application of the material in the handbook is presented as ‘will’ rather than ‘should’. The ACS handbook will be supplemented by material provided by Principal Investigators about specific chemicals and risks/hazards in a work setting.
Who needs a Safety Plan?
A safety plan is required for all teaching and research laboratory areas that use or store hazardous materials, equipment or utilize hazardous processes during their work.
What is a Hazardous Material?
For the purposes of safety plans, this term encompasses:
- Physical hazards
- Biological Materials
- Chemicals – Office chemicals (White-out, glue and copying supplies are exempt)
- Radioactive material or radiation producing devices
- Hazardous processes: high voltage, high pressure, etc.
Intended Use of Safety Plans
- Emergency planning and response
- Inspections
- Hazard Awareness
- Training and Education of the students and Staff
- State and federal regulatory compliance
Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP)
All NC State University personnel who handle and may be exposed to hazardous chemicals in research laboratories need to review the Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP). This document, along with your safety plan, and internally developed site/task-specific procedures must cover all elements required by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1450.
The Chemical Hygiene Plan Training in REPORTER is required to help protect employees from specific health hazards in laboratories and to keep exposure below limits specified by OSHA.
Hazard Communication Program (non-laboratory chemical users)
All NC State University personnel who handle and may be exposed to chemicals in a non-laboratory setting (e.g. field labs and facilities zone shops) are covered under NC State University’s Hazard Communication Program (HCP). This program along with your safety plan covers all of the elements required by OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1010.1200). Employees must take Hazard Communication Training for Non-Laboratories (EHPS-0S600). In addition to this online training employees shall receive training on the site specific chemical hazards.
Document and Posting Requirements
Safety Plans provide background information required to establish safe working practices for hazardous material uses and handling. The PI is responsible for implementation and enforcement of safe work practices and the plan functions as both a training tool and reference source.