6 Colo. Code Regs. § 1010-6.12

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 20, October 25, 2024

Section 6 CCR 1010-6.12 - Laboratory, Industrial, Art, and Vocational Hazards

6.12.1Procedures

A. Provisions shall be made for the protection of students and staff engaging in arts, crafts, industrial arts, physical and biological sciences, vocational, educational or any activities where potentially hazardous chemicals, hazardous devices or hazardous equipment are used. These provisions include the development and posting of operating instructions, regulations, procedures, and a chemical hygiene plan. All potentially hazardous chemicals, hazardous devices or hazardous equipment including those used in art, industrial art and vocational art areas shall be used only in accordance with the product labeling. If available, specific manufacturer's instructions and warnings for safe use of the product or equipment shall be followed. When available, products with the safest materials shall be used (e.g., those with few or no cautionary/warning labels). Additional guidance regarding potential hazards and health and safety provisions associated with industrial and vocational arts and crafts is provided in the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Publication No. 5015, Art and Craft Safety Guide. Schools may rely on this guidance.

B. Exposure to noise, or toxic liquids, dusts, gases, mists, fumes or vapors or other hazards shall be controlled to avoid health hazards.

C. A current SDS shall be provided in an organized and easily searchable format (e.g., alphabetically filed) for all toxic or hazardous substances and shall be available for review upon request. A copy of the SDS shall be kept on file in a location away from the areas where the aforementioned chemicals are stored. Digital or other electronic versions of SDS may be approved at the discretion of the local fire authority.

D. In the absence of more stringent standards the 2015 National Fire Protection Association Code 30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code and 2015 National Fire Protection Association Code 45 Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals are hereby incorporated by reference and shall be used as standards for the proper storage, handling and use of chemicals in the school.

E. A chemical hygiene plan which addresses all areas of the school where toxic or hazardous substances are used or stored shall be provided. All restricted chemicals present in the school, including those stored in laboratory, vocational, arts, and custodial areas, shall be individually addressed in the plan. A copy of the plan shall be kept on file in a location away from the areas where chemicals are stored. The chemical hygiene plan shall be reviewed and updated, as necessary, at least once annually. All schools must develop a Chemical Hygiene Plan by January 1, 2016. A copy of the Chemical Hygiene Plan shall be provided to the local fire department and local emergency planning committee upon request.

F. Procedures shall be established for the management of chemical waste and shall be addressed in the chemical hygiene plan. All containers of chemical waste shall be labeled to their contents and with the words "not for use" or "waste", maintained in good condition and separated by reactive group. Chemical waste shall be stored in a designated area away from normal classroom operations and away from sinks and floor drains. Chemical waste shall be handled and stored in a manner that minimizes the possibility of a fire, explosion, or release. A hazardous waste determination shall be made for all waste chemicals in accordance with 6 CCR 1007-3 Section 262 of the Colorado Hazardous Waste Regulations. Hazardous waste chemicals must be properly disposed of at a permitted facility and shall not be disposed of on-site. All other chemical waste shall be disposed of using an appropriate method as provided on the chemical SDS, or as indicated by the manufacturer.

G. A current list of emergency services with telephone numbers, including the name, address and telephone number of the school, shall be posted in one or more prominent place(s) in each school.

H. Aspirators or suction bulbs shall be used for drawing liquids into pipettes. The mouth must not be used directly on the pipettes.

6.12.2Safety Equipment

A. Protective clothing, that meets the ANSI Z49.1-2014 Standard- Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes, hereby incorporated by reference, shall be worn by all students participating in, observing, or in close proximity to welding or other such activities that could result in sparks contacting clothing. Welding helmets, that meet the requirements of ANSI Z49.1-2014 Standard-Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes, hereby incorporated by reference, shall be worn by all students participating in, observing, or in close proximity to welding. Protective clothing shall be maintained clean and in good repair.

B. Eye protection, that meets the ANSI Z87.1-2010 Standard for Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices, hereby incorporated by reference, must be worn by all students participating in, observing, or in close proximity to any experiment or activity which could result in eye injury. Eye protection glasses, goggles, face shields, and similar eye protection devices shall be issued clean, in good repair and properly sanitized between students and stored in a protected place. Sanitization of eye protection can be accomplished using an ultraviolet light case, a chemical sanitizer in accordance with Section 6.7.6 , or other effective means approved by the Department.

C. An easily accessible fire blanket must be provided in all areas where an open flame is used.

D. Where there is potential for exposure to skin with toxic, infectious or irritating materials, a hand washing facility shall be available.

E. An easily accessible operational eye wash fountain that meets the ANSI Z358.1-2009 Standard, hereby incorporated by reference, must be provided in each laboratory or other areas where corrosives or irritating materials are used. The eye wash fountain shall be maintained clean, permanently plumbed, and provide a hands-free continuous flow of water capable of flushing both eyes simultaneously. The use of portable eye wash bottles as substitutes is not permitted. Easily accessible means no more than 55 feet from the storage or use of corrosive or irritating materials so that it can be reached with impaired vision within 10 seconds or less. Eye wash fountains shall be tested annually with documentation available upon request.

F. An easily accessible operational safety shower that meets the ANSI Z358.1-2009 Standard, hereby incorporated by reference, capable of providing continuous flowing water, shall be provided for each laboratory or other areas where corrosive or irritating chemicals are used. The safety shower can be centrally located so as to serve more than one area provided that it is within 55 feet from the storage or use of corrosive or irritating materials and can be reached with impaired vision within 10 seconds or less. The safety shower shall be tested annually with documentation available upon request.

G. A master gas control valve (MGCV), is required on gas supply lines to vocational areas and science laboratories. The MGCV shall stop the flow of gas to all appliances/ equipment located in the room and must function as a manually operated emergency gas shut-off. One MGCV shall be provided for each room and made easily accessible. Electric shut-off switches shall be provided in areas where power equipment is used. Master gas valves and electric shut-off switches shall be labeled for high visibility and tested annually with documentation available upon request.

H. Adequately stocked first aids kits shall be stored in all laboratories, vocational education, industrial arts, set design, and art classrooms.

I. Fire extinguishers are required in accordance with the 2015 National Fire Protection Association Code 45 Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals, hereby incorporated by reference. Dry chemical Class ABC extinguishers are recommended for laboratory use. If combustible metals (e.g., Mg, Na, K) are present, laboratories must have a class D extinguisher or those agents shown to be effective in controlling combustible metal fires as well.

J. All emergency and safety equipment shall be tested annually with documentation available upon request and labeled for high visibility.

K. Radioactive materials and equipment shall conform to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Radiation Control, 6 CCR 1007-1.

6.12.3Storage Provisions

A. Toxic or hazardous materials shall be stored in safe and appropriate containers, separated by reactive group and stored in a ventilated, locked area or appropriate cabinet. The ventilation requirement of this section may not be required where minimum quantities of such materials are stored for daily use. Toxic or hazardous materials must be stored according to the chemical manufacturer's storage temperature requirements at all times including during school holidays and breaks.

B. All containers of chemicals shall be clearly labeled with the name, original quantity of the material, and the date the material entered the school. Secondary containers and/or prepared solutions intended for storage shall be labeled with chemical name and, if applicable, the formula (including solvent), date of preparation, disposal date, and concentration.

C. Schools shall not purchase or accept donations of prohibited chemicals. These chemicals are prohibited from use and/or storage at the school unless a variance from this regulation is requested in writing by the school and approved by Department. If prohibited chemicals are found in the school, they shall be identified on the container label as "not for use" or "waste" and segregated from the chemical inventory. Unless a variance has been granted by the Department, all schools must dispose of prohibited chemicals. Prohibited chemicals are listed in Appendix A to this regulation.

D. Restricted chemicals shall be removed from the schools if alternatives can be used. If restricted chemicals are present at the school, each chemical shall be identified in the school's chemical inventory and addressed in the chemical hygiene plan as required in Sections 6.12.1 of these regulations. Containers of restricted chemicals shall be labeled as such. Restricted chemicals with an indefinite shelf life, as indicated in Appendix B and B2, shall be obtained in amounts that can be expended in five years or less. Restricted chemicals with a good, fair, poor or limited shelf life, as indicated in Appendix B and B2, shall be obtained in amounts that can be expended in one school year, or less than one year if the manufacturer indicates a lesser period of time in which the chemical shall be used.

E. Restricted chemicals (demonstration use only) are a subclass in the restricted chemical lists that are limited to instructor demonstration. Students may not participate in the handling or preparation of restricted chemicals as part of a demonstration. If restricted chemicals (demonstration use only) are present at the school, each chemical shall be addressed in the school's written emergency plan as addressed in sections 6.13 of these regulations. Demonstration only chemicals are listed in Appendix B2 to this regulation.

F. All chemicals, compounds, and hazardous substances shall be inventoried by the school a minimum of once a year. The inventory shall include the name of the compound, the amount, and the year it entered the school. If restricted or prohibited chemicals are present in the school, they shall be designated as such in the chemical inventory. A copy of the inventory shall be kept in the area of use and on file in a location away from the areas where chemicals are stored. The updated inventory shall be provided to the local fire department and local emergency planning committee upon request.

G. Refrigerators used for flammable compounds shall be prominently marked to indicate they meet the appropriate design requirements for safe storage of flammable liquids. Food for consumption shall not be stored in refrigerators used for flammable or any other laboratory related materials. Food and food containers for experimentation shall be labeled as "not for consumption" and segregated from foods intended for consumption.

H. The storage, preparation, and consumption of food and drink are prohibited in any area where there are toxic or hazardous substances. A personal water bottle is allowed when there are no toxic or hazardous substances in use. When a student's individual health care needs (e.g., health care plan, 504 Plan) require food to be readily available, it shall be allowed in these areas as long as it is protected from contamination and not available for general consumption.

I. Glassware shall be properly constructed and designed for its intended use and shall be handled and stored in a safe manner.

6.12.4Ventilation

A. All areas shall be adequately ventilated through mechanical means so that exposures to hazardous or toxic materials are maintained to a safe level. Additional guidance in determining safe levels is provided in the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposures Indices. Schools may rely on this guidance.

B. Local exhaust ventilation shall be provided so that contaminants are exhausted away from the student and not through the breathing zone.

1. Air flow of local exhaust ventilation must be tested annually with documentation available upon request.

C. Sufficient fume hood capacity ventilation shall be provided and shall be used for any activity producing hazardous toxic or noxious gases, mists, vapors, or dusts.

1. Hoods must exhaust directly to the outside and shall be located a minimum of 10 feet from any building air-intakes or building openings.

2. Discharges of any reportable air pollutant from any exhaust hood must meet applicable Colorado Air Pollution Standards.

3. In the absence of other applicable standards, a minimum face velocity of 100 feet per minute (fpm) and a maximum of 120 fpm for general laboratory hoods must be provided.

4. Air flow of fume hoods must be tested annually with documentation available upon request.

D. Spray booths and finishing rooms where flammable or combustible materials are used shall be constructed in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.107, revised July 1, 2011 and hereby incorporated by reference.

6 CCR 1010-6.12

38 CR 06, March 25, 2015, effective 4/14/2015

41 CR 04, February 25, 2018, effective 3/17/2018