OSHA says in a letter of interpretation (LOI) that laboratories that meet the definitions of “laboratory scale” and “laboratory use” would be within the scope of the laboratory standard at 1910.1450. See definitions below.
Laboratories that are part of the production process or performing quality control of production would be covered by other appropriate general industry standards including 29 CFR 1910.1200.
Laboratory use of hazardous chemicals means handling or use of such chemicals in which all of the following conditions are met: (i) Chemical manipulations are carried out on a “laboratory scale;” (ii) Multiple chemical procedures or chemicals are used; (iii) The procedures involved are not part of a production process, nor in any way simulate a production process; and (iv) “Protective laboratory practices and equipment” are available and in common use to minimize the potential for employee exposure to hazardous chemicals.
Laboratory scale means work with substances in which the containers used for reactions, transfers, and other handling of substances are designed to be easily and safely manipulated by one person. “Laboratory scale” excludes those workplaces whose function is to produce commercial quantities of materials.