An Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard titled "Occupational Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories" was enacted in 1991. This standard requires all organizations with laboratory employees to implement exposure control programs and to convey chemical health and safety information to laboratory employees working with hazardous chemicals.

The standard's intent is to ensure that laboratory employees are apprised of the hazards of chemicals in their work area, and that appropriate work practices and procedures are in place to protect laboratory employees from chemical health and safety hazards. The manner in which Brown University is complying with each of the elements in OSHA's Laboratory Standard is detailed in the Chemical Hygiene Plan & Laboratory Safety Manual (CHP). A copy of the CHP has been sent to each Laboratory Supervisor responsible for a research or teaching laboratory in which hazardous chemicals are handled. In addition, a copy of this standard and its appendices may be obtained by visiting the OSHA's web site at http://www.osha.gov/