Updated Chemical Hygiene Plan now available

May 13, 2026 - T. McCord

The 2026 Revision of the MSU Chemical Hygiene Plan (DOCX) is now available. Key changes include:

Stop Work Authority (1.6)

Any faculty, staff, student or visitor working in a laboratory setting has the ability to cease work if they believe a safety problem is present. Work stoppage should be immediately reported to EHS and the PI/laboratory manager.

ChemInventory (2.5)

Labs are required to use the free ChemInventory software for management of chemical inventories. More information is available in the ChemInventory section of the EHS website.

“One Glove Rule" (2.6)

When carrying by hand, use the one glove rule: use one gloved hand for handling the materials and use the other ungloved hand for touching common surfaces such as door knobs and elevator buttons

Transporting Hazardous Chemicals in Vehicles (2.7)

Employees should read and implement all eight of the listed provisions for vehicle transport of hazardous chemicals. Provisions are found in section 2.7.

Unattended Operations (2.9)

Labs should only leave experiments running unattended if there are no other options, such as chemical reactions that take 12+ hours to complete. When left unattended, a warning notice must be posted in the vicinity of the experiment that includes the chemicals used, the hazards present, 24/7 emergency contact information, and emergency shutdown procedures.

Elemental Mercury Requirements (4.1.3)

Labs are not permitted to use elemental mercury. EHS should be contacted prior to acquisition or use of mercury to identify alternatives. For all mercury spills of any size, including broken thermometers, employees must evacuate the area and call EHS.

Standard Operating Procedures (7)

New sections formalizing the review of high-hazard processes and clarifying that compliance with inspection checklists is a CHP requirement. Certain high-hazard chemicals or processes require EHS-approved safety SOPs before work can be carried out. The list of SOP requirements with templates can be found in the Standard Operating Procedures section of the EHS website.

CHP Appendices

Information previously included in Chemical Hygiene Plan Appendices is available on the EHS website:

• Incompatibility of Common Laboratory Chemicals
• Common Peroxide-Forming Chemicals
• Carcinogens
• Policy for Termination of Laboratory and Containment Area Use of Hazardous Chemicals
• Equipment Release Form (PDF)

Any questions or concerns about the new requirements can be directed to ehs@msu.edu or 517-355-0153.