Following is a growing library of resources available to enhance and support the safety culture in your school, organization, or community.
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RAMP Origin
- Laboratory Safety for Chemistry Students, 2nd Edition
Teaching RAMP
- Basics
- Guidelines for Chemical Laboratory Safety in Secondary Schools
- Guidelines for Chemical Laboratory Safety in Academic Institutions
- Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories, Eighth Edition
- Arabic Translation - RAMP Poster
- RAMP Brochure
Hard copies of much of this material may through the ACS Store.
RAMP in Practice
- Hazard Assessment in Research Laboratories
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We're building a collection of safety videos for indivdual and classroom use. Check back from time to time to see what's new!
Why Should We Do Laboratory Risk Assessments?
Laboratory Chemical Risk Assessments are an important habit to develop in the research laboratory. This video outlines how they are done and some of the key reasons that they are important.Small Bottle, HUGE Fireball
Pouring gasoline, alcohol, or other fuel over a flame can cause a 10-foot fireball to shoot out and engulf an unsuspecting victim. ACS Reactions explains the science of flame jetting.A Safer "Rainbow Flame" Demo for Classrooms
The Flame Test is a safer version of the traditional "Rainbow Flame" demonstration popularly conducted in chemistry classrooms. Developed by the American Association of Chemistry Teachers. Learn more about the test from AACT!
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ACS Webinars connect you with subject experts and global thought leaders in chemical sciences, management, and business on relevant professional issues. Learn from the best and brightest minds in chemistry!
- How to Improve Your Lab's Safety: Answering Your Questions
Experts: Debbie M. Decker, Joseph Pickel, Ralph Stuart
- Creating a Lab Safety Culture for Industrial Chemists, Educators, and Grad Students
Experts: Peter K. Dorhout, Dawn Mason, Dominick Casadonte, Kali Serrano - Reshaping Chemical Lab Safety: Creating a Dynamic and Adaptive Safety Environment
Experts: Ralph Stuart, Samuella Sigmann
- Creating a 21st Century Chemical Research Laboratory: Hazard Assessments and Fundamentals
Experts: Ralph Stuart, Kendra Leahy Denlinger
ACS Program-in-a-Box(TM)
- How to Create a Safety Culture While Growing Your Business
Experts: Ken Fivizzani, Neal Langerman, Brian Morin, David Harwell - Tales of Lab Safety: How to Avoid Rookie Accidents
Experts: Mary Beth Mulcahy, Jyllian Kemsley, David Harwell
- How to Improve Your Lab's Safety: Answering Your Questions
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The authors of the original Identifying and Evaluating Hazards in Research Laboratories publication consulted the following:
General
- Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis for the Chemical Research Laboratory, Part 2
Leggett, D. J. - Hazard Communication
Occupational Safety and Health Administration - Pilot Plant and Laboratory Safety
Palluzi, R. P. - Handbook of Occupational Safety and Health, 2nd ed.
Dougherty, T. M.; DiBerardinis, L. J.
Case Studies
- What Went Wrong? Case Histories of Process Plant Disasters
Kletz, T. A.
Reports
- Creating Safety Cultures in Academic Institutions: A Report of the Safety Culture Task Force of the ACS Committee on Chemical Safety
American Chemical Society - Safety Cases and Safety Reports. Meaning, Motivation and Management
Maguire, R.
Guidelines
- Quality Guidelines for Research, ANSI/ASQ Z1.13
American National Standards Institute - Guidelines for Hazard Evaluation Procedures, 3rd Ed.
American Institute of Chemical Engineers - Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Management of Chemical Hazards
National Research Council
Checklists
- The Checklist
A. Gawande
- The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right
A. Gawande - A Checklist for Implementing an Effective Checklist
Healthcare Financial Management Association
Control Banding
- Qualitative Risk Characterization and Management of Occupational Hazards: Control Banding (CB): A Literature Review and Critical Analysis
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
Job Hazard Analysis
- Job Hazard Analysis
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Risk Assessment
- IPCS Risk Assessment Terminology
World Health Organization - Guidelines for Risk-Based Process Safety
Center for Chemical Process Safety - Risk Assessment Techniques
John Wiley and Sons - Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis for the Chemical Research Laboratory, Part 2
Leggett, D. J.
What-if Analysis
- Pilot Plant and Laboratory Safety
Palluzi, R. P. - Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis for the Chemical Research Laboratory, Part 2
Leggett, D. J.
- Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis for the Chemical Research Laboratory, Part 2
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- Flame Test Demonstration (New & Improved)
2018
A safer alternative to the Rainbow Demonstration. - Milli's Safety Tips
- Safety in the Elementary Science Classroom
- Flame Test Demonstration (New & Improved)
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- Classroom Resources: Safety
American Association for Chemistry Teachers (AACT)
Activities and resources for teachers. - Flame Test Demonstration (New & Improved)
A safer alternative to the Rainbow Demonstration. - Guidelines for Chemical Laboratory Safety in Secondary Schools
Foundational tools and guidelines for science teachers to encourage a strong safety culture in classrooms and labs. The RAMP concept is discussed. (NOTE: This is the source document for the Teach & Learn: High School content on this website.) Hard copies available to purchase.
- How to Make Chemistry Classroom Demonstrations and Experiments Safer
Developed by Chemical and Engineering News, 2015
A guide for performing experiments or demonstrations involving open flames, fire, or the use of flammable, reactive, toxic, or corrosive chemicals. - Rehab the Lab: Creating Safer School Labs
Local Hazardous Waste Management Program (King County, WA)
Services to help improve chemical management in science labs, arts and crafts studios, storage rooms, photo labs, and custodial closets. - Safety Data Sheets: Information that Could Save Your Life
Published by ChemMatters, 2015
For students, topics include: the importance of safety in the chemistry classroom, identifying hazards and assessing their risks by using Safety Data Sheets, requirements for combustion, flash points, fire points and autoignition.
- School Chemistry Laboratory Safety Guide
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Information to help teachers take precautionary actions to prevent or minimize hazards, harmful exposures, and injuries in the laboratory.
- Classroom Resources: Safety
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- Guidelines for Chemical Laboratory Safety in Academic Institutions
Copyright 2016
Guidelines for instilling a strong safety foundation in students and deepening their knowledge of safety practices. (NOTE: This is the source document for the Teach & Learn: College & University content on this website.) Hard copies are available to purchase.
- Creating Safety Cultures in Academic Institutions
Copyright 2012
Guidance, suggestions, and recommendations to strengthen safety cultures in undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral programs. - Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals
- Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories, Eighth Edition
Best practices for first- and second-year university students.
- Arabic Translation
- Guidelines for Chemical Laboratory Safety in Academic Institutions
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Reproductive Health
- Developing Reproductive Protection Programs in Industrial and Academic Settings ACS Committee on Chemical Safety
- The Effects of Workplace Hazards on Female Reproductive Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - The Effects of Workplace Hazards on Male Reproductive Health
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health - Electric and Magnetic Fields Associated with the Use of Electric Power EMF
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Safety Guidelines
- Identifying and Evaluating Hazards in Research Laboratories
Copyright 2015
Information and tools for mitigating hazards in research labs. Visit the companion pages on this website. - Guide for Chemical Spill Response Planning in Laboratories
Prepared 1995
Framework for laboratory employees to respond to plan for and respond to chemical spills. - Chemical Storage Resources
Guidance for establishing a hazardous chemical storage program.
- Nanotechnology Safety Resources
Compiled in 2007
Guidelines for safe handling of low-solubility ultrafine particles in the lab.
- Living with the Laboratory Standard
1998
An interpretation of OSHA's Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories standard. It specifically addresses the responsibilities of Chemical Hygiene Officers (CHOs), who are responsible for implementation of the Chemical Hygiene Plan. $10/copy (bulk discounts available). To order:
- Call 1-800-227-5558, or
- Email OSS@acs.org - Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals
- Laboratory Design, Construction, and Renovation: Participants, Process and Product
- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Laws and Regulations
Policy
- Labpack Land Disposal Restriction comments to USEPA
Issued 2014
Response to EPA's request for comment on requirement for land disposal restriction notices and recordkeeping for all hazardous waste labpacks. - Position Statement: Regulation of Laboratory Waste
ACS recommendations concerning environmental regulations placed on academic, commercial, and government laboratories. - Letter to NIOSH: Contact Lenses
May 8, 2001
Letter to National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health regarding safety of wearing contact lenses in labs. - The use of alternative solvent purification techniques
Copyright 2003
Published in the Journal of Chemical Health & Safety, doi:10.1016/S1074-9098(03)00055-8.
- Security Vulnerablility Checklist for Academic and Small Chemical Laboratory Facilities
Copyright 2009
Checklist to identify potential security problem areas for smaller chemical facilities, particularly laboratories. (May also be useful for larger chemical facilities.)
Toxic Substances
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- Chemical Safety Manual for Small Businesses, Third Edition
Copyright 2007
Guidelines for managers, administrators, and employees of small businesses. - Less Is Better
Copyright 2002
Outlines practical waste minimization concepts. - Safety Audit/Inspection Manual
Copyright 2002
How to prepare for workplace safety audits and inspections. - Summary of the Toxic Substances Control Act
Environmental Protection Agency
- Chemical Safety Manual for Small Businesses, Third Edition
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- American Association of Chemistry Teachers (AACT)
- American Biological Safety Association (ABSA)
- American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
- American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)
- American Institute of Chemical Engineers - Safety and Health Division (AIChE)
- American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)
- Canadian Center for Occupational Health & Safety (CCOHS)
- Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS)
- Code of Federal Regulations
- Standard Number: 1910
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM)
- Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology (BCST) - National Fire Protection Association [NFP]
- Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals - National Insitutues of Health (NIH)
- ChemIDPlus
- PubChem
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
- National Registry of Certified Chemists (NRCC)
- National Toxicology Program (NTP)
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Society for Chemical Hazard Communication (SCHC)
- The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
- University of California Center for Laboratory Safety (UCCLS)
- See: Lessons Learned to Improve the Safety Program in Your Lab
- US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB)
- US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- American Association of Chemistry Teachers (AACT)