The challenges and opportunities of the Chemical Hygiene Officer

The role of the Chemical Hygiene Officer has evolved since it was first defined by OSHA's Laboratory Standard. Successful development of a laboratory safety program requires a variety of skills that go beyond the technical oversight envisioned in the Standard. This article describes how the role has evolved and how specific tools such as Safety Management Systems can be used to meet those challenges. A brief historical perspective on the role is provided to flesh out the challenges and opportunities associated with this role.