What is the purpose of a Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) in laboratories, and what should it include?

• A. A document listing all chemicals regardless of hazard
• B. To increase production speed; includes only PPE
• C. To protect workers from chemical hazards; includes risk assessment, engineering controls, PPE, training, medical surveillance, and exposure monitoring
• D. A plan for fire drills only

Answer: (C)

A Chemical Hygiene Plan is a written program that protects laboratory workers from chemical hazards by identifying potential exposures and putting controls in place to minimize them. The essential components are risk assessment to identify hazards and exposure scenarios; engineering controls such as fume hoods and proper ventilation; appropriate PPE like gloves and eye protection; training so workers understand hazards and safe practices; medical surveillance when required by regulation; and exposure monitoring to measure or estimate actual exposure levels and verify that controls are effective. This approach goes beyond simply listing chemicals or focusing on speed or drills; it builds a structured framework for preventing chemical-related injuries and illnesses.