PARTICULARLY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
Particularly Hazardous Chemicals
OSHA’s laboratory standard requires employers to make provisions for additional employee protection for work with particularly hazardous substances. Since the Principal Investigator is the lab’s administrator/manager, he or she has the responsibility for providing acceptable workspace and training in the use of these chemicals.
- Establishment of a designated area;
- Use of containment devices such as fume hoods or glove boxes;
- Procedures for safe removal of contaminated waste; and
- Decontamination procedures.
By definition, “particularly hazardous” includes chemicals in the following categories:
- select carcinogens
- reproductive toxins, and
- substances with a high degree of acute toxicity.
More information and partial lists of chemicals in these categories:
Chapter 5: Managing Hazardous Materials at C.O.S.E. of the Chemical Hygiene Plan
Appendix E: Particularly Hazardous Substances of the Chemical Hygiene Plan.
Also available are SOPs for the following chemicals:
Acetaldehyde
Acrylamide
Acrylonitrile
Hydrofluoric acid
Osmium tetroxide
Select Agents
1990s, recent terror attacks have increased interest in the research use of select agents. Researchers working with Select Agents are under heightened scrutiny and generally have increased responsibility. The following links detail personnel restrictions, select agent registration, laboratory security requirements, and strict criteria to receive or transfer Select Agents. All researchers who plan on using these materials at SFSU must comply with these requirements.
San Francisco State University’s Responsible Official (RO) is the Director of the SFSU Environmental Health and Occupational Safety office (EHOS). To start the University registration process, submit a completed COSE Biological Use Registration application to the Biology Department Chair or to the COSE Health and Safety Specialist. The COSE Biosafety Committee will then review the application and decide if the project merits further consideration by the University's Responsible Official.
Important Links
- Select Agent Registration Forms—National Select Agent Registry (NSAR)
- Select Agent Overview and Training Presentation
- CDC's Select Agent Program website (http://www.cdc.gov/od/sap/) includes the following information:
- 42 CFR Part 73 - Possession, Use, and Transfer of Select Agents and Toxins; Interim Final Rule
- Frequently Asked Questions about New Regulation
- List of Select Biological Agents and Toxins (*PDF)
- USA PATRIOT ACT (H.R. 3162) Section 817 (*PDF) - Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 is an expansion of the Biological Weapons Statute that defines the term 'restricted person' and specifies consequences of possession of select agents by restricted persons. (Form Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
- Laboratory Security and Emergency Response for Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories - Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) Appendix F
- CDC Fact Page on Bioterrorism - Topics include preparation and planning, emergency response, surveillance, news and media relations, training, resources and links, and information for lab and health professionals.