CHEMICAL HYGIENE PLAN ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM
Materials Science and Engineering (MSE)
All students, technicians, and visitors who work in the MSE laboratories will receive an introduction to
laboratory safety and to the facilities by the faculty member responsible for that laboratory. This activity
may be delegated to post-doctoral research assistants, research scientists, and staff. The introduction to
laboratory safety includes a demonstration of proper waste disposal procedures and guidance on how to
find online references to hazardous chemicals. Some of this training is mandated by the UVa Office of
Environmental Health and Safety.
All students, staff, research professionals and faculty are required to complete annually:
1) The online course Chemical Safety and Waste Training (OEHS website)
2) The online course Chemical Safety Training for Support Staff (OEHS website)
3) View the on-line presentation on laboratory safety sponsored by OEHS (MSE website)
4) Review the University of Virginia’s Chemical Hygiene Plan (MSE website)
5) Understand MSE’s waste disposal policy prior to beginning any work in the laboratories (per
OEHS Chemical Safety and Waste Training).
Certain equipment may require additional training and certification and students acknowledge that they
will not use such equipment without acquiring approval to do so. MSE safety policies may exceed those of
the university, SEAS, state and federal government and are at the discretion of the chair, faculty and staff.
Signs posted on all MSE laboratory doors warn that only authorized persons may conduct work in the
laboratories. The list of authorized persons, determined at the discretion of the responsible MSE faculty
member, will be maintained in the MSE Administration office and by the designated person responsible for
laboratory safety; the list will be posted as needed. Not all persons will necessarily be authorized to work
in all MSE labs or on all pieces of equipment. Visitors (non-MSE) must be escorted by authorized
personnel and may only work from 8am to 6pm (M-F). If a visitor plans to work in a laboratory, then the
visitor must also complete all safety requirements before entering the laboratory.
All hazardous waste containers are to be kept in appropriate and designated storage areas and may only
be removed temporarily to collect waste from other labs. Similar waste products should be consolidated to
reduce the number of waste containers in use. At any time, staff or faculty members may inspect the labs,
observing all users in the lab as well as the waste storage area for any deviation from MSE or University
policies. Violators of the above policies may lose laboratory privileges and/or funding. Flagrant or repeat
violators may be subject to additional disciplinary measures. As a minimum, the penalty for noncompliance of the safety requirements or procedures given by OEHS or MSE is as follows:
a) First offense – a verbal warning
b) Second offense – a written warning will be given to both the offender and the
offender’s supervisor. The offender will also be required to retake the online safety course.
c) Third offense – 30 day suspension from the laboratory and the offender must undergo formal
retraining
d) Fourth offense – laboratory privileges revoked
A blatant disregard for personal safety or for another person’s safety will be dealt with more
harshly than described above.
----------------Acknowledgment Form---------------1) I confirm I have completed the OEHS web-based course Chemical Safety and
Waste Training (certificate attached).
2) I confirm I have completed the OEHS web-based course Chemical Safety
Training for Support Staff (certificate attached).
3) I confirm I have reviewed the UVa Chemical Hygiene Plan.
4) I confirm I have viewed the on-line presentation on laboratory safety sponsored
by OEHS and found on the MSE website.
5) I understand and I will abide by all relevant waste, MSE and UVA safety policies
during my work in the MSE department. I understand that my laboratory
privileges may be suspended or revoked and that my funding may be terminated
for repeat violations of MSE and/or UVA safety and equipment policies and
procedures.
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