Implementation of a science laboratory safety program in North Carolina schools

North Carolina is one of the 26 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-approved “State Plan” states, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands [Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories; 29 CFR Part 1910.1450, 1990]. As a “State Plan” state, North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health (NC OSH) has jurisdiction over all schools - public, charter and private. NC OSH adopted the Lab Standard, 29 CFR §1910.1450 - Occupational Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories [North Carolina Department of Labor, Division of Occupational Safety and Health. North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry; 29 CFR Part 1910 as adopted in 13 NCAC 07F.0101 with amendments through February 1, 2001, 1970]. Statewide, schools have been slow to respond to this regulation even though a Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) was required January 31, 1991. The North Carolina State Board of Education (NCSBE) passed State Board Policy HSP-F-017 - Science Laboratory Safety Policy, August 4, 2005, requiring middle/secondary schools to submit their chemical hygiene plans to the NCSBE Office by January 31, 2007 [North Carolina State Board of Education. SB HSP-F-017-Science Laboratory Safety Policy, 2005].