37.111.813    SCIENCE, INDUSTRIAL ARTS, AND ART LABORATORY SAFETY

(1) Schools must comply with the Montana Employee and Community Hazardous Chemical Information Act (ECHCIA), 50-78-101, MCA, et seq.  

(2) Schools containing science labs, industrial arts classrooms or buildings, and art labs that use and store hazardous chemicals must maintain a Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) and designate a Chemical Hygiene Officer (dCHO) in accordance with the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories standard 29 CFR 1910.1450. 

(3)  CHPs must include plans for appropriate selection, storage, inventory, use, and disposal of hazardous chemicals, and biological materials.

(a) The dCHO has primary responsibility for ensuring the implementation of all components of the CHP.

(b) The school Chemical Hygiene Officer (sCHO) must oversee the implementation and enforcement of the schools' CHP at their school(s). A science chairperson, equivalently qualified faculty member, or staff member with knowledge of the chemicals used in the school may be designated as the sCHO.

(4)  Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all materials in science labs, industrial arts classrooms or buildings, art labs, and lab storage rooms will be stored in those rooms and be accessible at all times.

(a) The SDS must also be kept in a secure, remote site outside of the science labs, industrial arts classroom or buildings, art labs, and lab storage rooms.

(5) All storage areas must be kept clean and organized according to OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.1450.

(6) Unused hazardous materials must be disposed of in a timely manner as stated by the manufacturer and approved by the DEQ). Schools must consult with the DEQ and the department for additional information about how they can properly discard hazardous material.

History: 50-1-206, MCA; IMP, 50-1-203, 50-1-206, MCA; NEW, 2020 MAR p. 47, Eff. 9/1/21.