The University of Houston Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) is a written program developed and implemented to establish work practices, laboratory equipment, personal protective equipment, and procedures to help ensure that laboratory personnel are protected from the hazards associated with the hazardous chemicals they purchase, store or handle.

The major components of this CHP include:

• Chemical hygiene responsibilities of different parties on campus
• Determination and implementation of control measures to reduce employee exposure to hazardous chemicals
• Chemical Usage Procedure
• Requirements for handling particularly hazardous chemicals
• Standard operating procedures involving the use of hazardous chemicals
• Requirements to ensure that control measures perform properly (Response to Non-compliance)
• Medical consultation procedure

This Chemical Hygiene Plan is consistent with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Laboratory Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1450, and the Texas Hazard Communication Act (Chapter 502 of the Texas Health and Safety Code). "Prudent Practices for Handling Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories" (National Research Council, 2011) was also used as the basis for the program.

All laboratory personnel must be familiar with this Chemical Hygiene Plan and together share the responsibility for creating a safe and healthy work environment. In addition to the Chemical Hygiene Plan, laboratory personnel shall be cognizant of and adhere to the procedures outlined in other EHS Manuals, Policies and Procedures.