Chemical Safety Training

• Hazard Communication Standard
• Laboratory Safety Standard
• Safety & Environmental Protection in the Chemical Laboratory  (Course Schedule)

Hazard Communication Standard

Required by:   Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910.1200 and Tennessee Occupational Safety & Health 0800-1-9

Frequency:   Initial with annual retraining

Training must include a description of the Standard, recognition of hazard warning symbols, how to obtain, use & understand material safety data sheets (MSDS), health effects (including reproductive risks), manufacturer labels, secondary container labeling requirements, personnel protective equipment, safe work practices and emergency procedures.   Due to the wide variety in chemical use at Vanderbilt, training is provided in two parts.

Part One:  General Hazard Communication Training

Required for all employees.

Part one training provides general information about requirements of the standard, such as a description of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), the need for chemical container labeling, proper personal protective equipment (PPE),  and other requirements of this standard. 

This training is presented initially during New Staff Orientation; access to this training video is also available online.  Annual retraining for part one is available online in VandySafe.   (VUMC staff receive this training through the VandySafe Profile.)  This training is general and does not provide all of the information that is specific to different departments and units. 

Part Two:  Specific Hazard Communication Training

Required for all employees who are exposed to and work directly with hazardous chemicals.

Supervisors are responsible for making sure that this training is provided at the departmental or unit level because it must provide specific information about the hazardous chemicals in use at each location.    For advice on how to provide specific Hazard Communication training, contact VEHS.

This specific training must include

• The list of hazardous chemicals used by your unit/department.
• Locations and situations that may occur within your unit or department where hazardous chemical exposure can occur.
• Appropriate PPE and engineering controls for chemicals used in your department/unit.
• Where to find and how to read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for chemicals in use in your department or unit.
• Safe work practices and emergency procedures
• Instruction on proper labeling of secondary chemical containers.
• Recognition of symbol(s) used to represent specific hazards.
• The hazard communication plan.

Class length varies and depends on the extent of chemical use within the department or unit.

Class Schedule/Location:  This training is provided within an individual department. 

If you have questions about Hazard Communication or chemical safety training:

• If you work in a VU or non-clinical VUMC area, have questions, please contact Mark Bogard  (mark.j.bogard@vanderbilt.edu). 
• If you work in a VUMC hospital or clinic, please contact staff in the Hospital & Clinic Safety Section.

For more information about the Hazard Communication Standard, consult this page.

Lab Standard

Required by:  Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA) 1910.1450

Frequency:   Initial and prior to work involving new chemical exposures.

Target Audience:   Any individuals who work in research, teaching or clinical laboratories.

Class Description:  This class covers the Chemical Hygiene Plan, exposure limits, health hazards, signs and symptoms associated with chemical exposures, material safety data sheets (MSDS), detection methods, PPE, protective clothing, safe work practices and emergency procedures.  For more information, please consult the Lab Standard web page.

Class Schedule/Location:  This training is provided by the Departmental Safety Coordinator or by VEHS on an as-requested basis.  To request this training, please contact Kevin Warren by phone (2-0925) or e-mail (kevin.warren@vanderbilt.edu).

For more information, consult this page about the Laboratory Standard. 

Safety & Environmental Protection in the Chemical Laboratory

This two-hour course is strongly recommended for all individuals who work with chemicals in a laboratory setting. This course will satisfy non-lab specific requirements outlined in the Lab Standard for training, however, this training does not satisfy Lab Standard requirements for lab-specific training which must be provided within each lab. This course also satisfies RCRA and DOT environmental protection awareness training required for individuals who work with chemicals in a lab.

Registration is required. To register, submit registrant names, PI name, campus mailing address, contact phone number, dates and times requested to Kevin Warren by e-mail (kevin.warren@vanderbilt.edu).

Training Schedule