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More than 500,000
workers are employed in
laboratories in the U.S.

OSHA Standards
OSHA Standards
Culture of Safety
Culture of Safety
Enforcement
Enforcement
Hazard Recognition & Solutions
Hazard Recognition & Solutions
Other Resources
Other Resources

What's New
Laboratory Safety Guidance [490 KB PDF*, 52 pages]. OSHA Booklet.

Laboratory Safety – OSHA Laboratory Standard [366 KB PDF*, 2 pages]. OSHA Fact Sheet.

Laboratory Safety – Chemical Hygiene Plan [366 KB PDF*, 2 pages]. OSHA Fact Sheet.

Laboratory Safety – Labeling and Transfer of Chemicals [144 KB PDF*, 2 pages]. OSHA QuickFacts.

Laboratory Safety – Chemical Fume Hoods [150 KB PDF*, 2 pages]. OSHA QuickFacts.

Chemical Hazards

Laboratory Safety – Chemical Fume Hoods [150 KB PDF*, 2 pages]. OSHA QuickFacts.

Biological Hazards

Laboratory Safety – Working with Small Animals [151 KB PDF*, 2 pages]. OSHA QuickFacts.

Laboratory Safety – Biosafety Cabinets (BSCs) [367 KB PDF*, 2 pages]. OSHA FactSheet.

Physical Hazards

Laboratory Safety – Noise [365 KB PDF*, 2 pages]. OSHA Fact Sheet.

Laboratory Safety – Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Laboratories [369 KB PDF*, 2 pages]. OSHA Fact Sheet.

Safety Hazards

Laboratory Safety – Autoclaves /Sterilizers [449 KB PDF*, 1 page]. OSHA QuickFacts.

Laboratory Safety – Centrifuges [135 KB PDF*, 2 pages]. OSHA QuickFacts.

Laboratory Safety – Cryogens and Dry Ice [147 KB PDF*, 2 pages]. OSHA QuickFacts.

Laboratory Safety – Electrical Hazards [130 KB PDF*, 1 page]. OSHA QuickFacts.

Other Hazards

Laboratory Safety – Latex Allergy [1 MB PDF*, 2 pages]. OSHA QuickFacts.
More than 500,000 workers are employed in laboratories in the U.S. The laboratory environment can be a hazardous place to work. Laboratory workers are exposed to numerous potential hazards including chemical, biological, physical and radioactive hazards, as well as musculoskeletal stresses. Laboratory safety is governed by numerous local, state and federal regulations. Over the years, OSHA has promulgated rules and published guidance to make laboratories increasingly safe for personnel. There are several primary OSHA standards that apply to laboratories as well as other OSHA standards that apply to various aspects of laboratory activities. The Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories standard (29 CFR 1910.1450) was created specifically for non-production laboratories.

Additional OSHA standards provide rules that protect workers in laboratories from chemical hazards as well as biological, physical and safety hazards. For those hazards that are not covered by a specific OSHA standard, OSHA often provides guidance on protecting workers from these hazards. OSHA has developed this webpage to provide workers and employers useful, up-to-date information on laboratory safety. For other valuable worker protection information, such as Workers' Rights, Employer Responsibilities and other services OSHA offers, read OSHA's Workers page.

In addition to information on OSHA standards and guidance that deal with laboratory hazards, other links are provided with information from other governmental and non-governmental agencies that deal with various aspects of laboratory safety.

Although the OSHA standards referenced on this web page deal specifically with laboratories within the jurisdiction of Federal OSHA, there are twenty-five states and two U.S. Territories (Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) that have their own OSHA-approved occupational safety and health standards, which may be different from federal standards, but must be at least "as effective as" the federal standards. Contact your local or state OSHA office for further information. Additional information is on available on the OSHA-approved state plans page.

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