text: The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) developed the Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories standard [29 CFR 1910.1450] specifically for non-production laboratories typical at KSU. Additional OSHA standards provide rules that protect workers in laboratories from chemical hazards as well as biological, physical and safety hazards. This federal standard and others may be specifically identified within contractual agreements with federal funding entities. Accrediting bodies will frequently identify OSHA and other federal regulations as a standard of care or specific expectation for accreditation. These expectations can incorporate professional standards and codes not specifically incorporated by reference within the regulations.
  The Kansas Department of Labor is responsible for oversight of compliance to Article 6 of Kansas statute, which states:
  The secretary of labor shall have power to enter any factory or mill, workshop, private works, public works or state agency or institution, mercantile establishment, laundry or any other place of business where labor is or is intended to be performed for any purpose, when the same are open or in operation, for the purpose of gathering facts and statistics such as are contemplated by this act, and to examine into the methods of protection from danger to employees and the sanitary conditions in and around such buildings and places and to keep a record thereof of such inspection.
  The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is responsible for the oversight of compliance to state regulations pertaining to the protection of public health from environmental threats resulting from mismanagement and/or contamination of natural resources. It is important to note that laboratory activities can result in the generation of hazardous waste and hazardous effluent and/or emissions. Both KDHE and the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may restrict, postpone or prevent laboratories activities that are non-compliant with federal, state or local regulations and codes and those that pose imminent danger to the public, infrastructure or environmental resources.
  Therefore, it is important to adhere to procedures related to the proper management and disposal of hazardous materials and Contact EHS for guidance when initiating activities that can or will release emissions, effluent, or solid wastes. Guidance on proper disposal procedures are provided in the Laboratory Safety guidance.