• The Laboratory standard applies to all individuals engaged in laboratory use of hazardous chemicals.
• Additional OSHA, state and local regulations may also apply to laboratory employers.

The purpose of the Laboratory standard at 1910.1450 is to ensure that workers in non-production laboratories are informed about the hazards of chemicals in their workplace and are protected from chemical exposures exceeding permissible exposure limits (PELs) as specified in Table Z of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) Air Contaminants standard (1910.1000) and other substance-specific health standards. The Laboratory standard establishes safe work practices in laboratories through a Chemical Hygiene Plan.

The Laboratory standard applies to all individuals engaged in laboratory use of hazardous chemicals. Work with hazardous chemicals outside of laboratories is covered by the Hazard Communication standard (1910.1200). Laboratory uses of chemicals which provide no potential for exposure (e.g., chemically impregnated test media or prepared kits for pregnancy testing) are not covered by the Laboratory standard.

Note: There are many other regulations that laboratory employers may need to comply with, including state and local. Additional OSHA regulations can also apply, such as:

• Hazard communication;
• Bloodborne pathogens;
• Personal protective equipment (PPE);
• Lockout/tagout;
• Air contaminants; and
• Individual chemical/substance standards, such as those for formaldehyde.

The OSHA Formaldehyde standard (1910.1048) is not affected in most cases by the Laboratory standard. The Laboratory standard specifically does not apply to formaldehyde use in histology, pathology and human or animal anatomy laboratories; however, if formaldehyde is used in other types of laboratories which are covered by the Laboratory standard, the employer must comply with 1910.1450.