Chemical Hygiene Officer
The lab standard requires that a Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) be designated. At UIC it is left to the descretion of the the department head. He / she designates the CHO for the department or one for each research group. The CHOs responsibilities include
- Ensures that appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is available
- Arranges for prompt repairs of control devices such as fume hoods as needed
- Performs regular chemical hygiene and housekeeping inspections, routine inspections of emergency equipment
- Ensures the availability of Material Safety Data Sheets(MSDSs)
- Ensures proper chemical container labeling
- Determines when a complaint of possible overexposure is reasonable and should be referred for medical consultation
- Determines when an exposure assessment is appropriate and arranges for them
- Reviews chemical inventory to determine which chemicals are carcinogens or particularly hazardous substances
- In general the CHO acts as a resource person
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