Enforcement

OSHA Directives

To date, compliance directives for the Laboratory standard have not been issued.

OSHA Enforcement Letters of Interpretation

This section highlights OSHA letters of interpretation (official letters of interpretation of the standards) for the Laboratory standard.

• Material safety data sheet requirements for experimental chemical mixtures that are shipped off-site. (February 5, 2004).
• Applicable OSHA standards and safety considerations for microwave device use in a laboratory. (August 8, 2002).
• Labeling requirements under the HAZCOM and Laboratory standards; use of safe needle devices. (January 11, 2001). Answers questions regarding the applicability to clinical laboratories of OSHA's Laboratory, Hazard Communication, and Bloodborne Pathogens standards.
• Clarification regarding the frequency with which showers must be tested. (June 21, 1995). Provides clarification regarding the frequency with which safety showers must be tested.
• Clarification of "laboratory" and "process" relative to process safety management standard. (June 24, 1992). Defines what a laboratory and a process is, and clarifies when the process safety management (PSM) standard applies.
• Implementation of a comprehensive chemical hygiene plan for lab operations. (April 24, 1991). States that if all requirements of the Laboratory standard are met, compliance with the hazard communication standard with respect to coverage of laboratories would also be achieved.
• Time and resources needed to comply with Lab Standard is justifiable. (April 19, 1991). Laboratories that do not implement work practices and procedures which are at least as effective as those prescribed by this standard may be risking employees' health and safety.
• Quality control laboratories are not expected to be covered under the Laboratory Standard. (October 11, 1990). Clarifies which laboratories are covered under the Laboratory standard.
• Incorporation of the Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) into current Hazard Communication and/or other related manuals. (September 7, 1990). Discusses the incorporation of the CHP into the hazard communication or other related manuals.
• Laboratory Standard does not cover routine tests supporting production but non-routine, non-production-related tests are covered. (August 8, 1990). Clarifies when laboratories are covered under the Laboratory standard.
• Interpretation of "high degree of acute toxicity" under the laboratory standard. (July 30, 1990). Describes some basic differences and similarities between the Hazard Communication standard (HAZCOM) and the Laboratory standard.