Glossary

The EHS alphabet, decoded.

Every regulation, program, and acronym your lab touches — explained in plain English, with why it matters for your operation.

StandardOSHA (29 CFR 1910.1030)

BBP — Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

OSHA standard protecting workers with occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials. Requires a written Exposure Control Plan, engineering controls, PPE, hepatitis B vaccination offer, and post-exposure evaluation and follow-up.

Why it matters

Applies to any lab handling human-derived samples or cell lines of human origin. Commonly overlooked at sites that consider themselves “chemistry” rather than “clinical”.

RoleOSHA (per 1910.1450)

CHO — Chemical Hygiene Officer

A qualified individual designated by the employer to develop and implement the Chemical Hygiene Plan. Must have experience and training appropriate to the work and authority to enforce the CHP.

Why it matters

The CHP legally requires a designated CHO. “Everyone is responsible” fails this requirement. The CHO must be named and their qualifications documented.

ProgramOSHA (29 CFR 1910.1450)

CHP — Chemical Hygiene Plan

Written plan required for laboratories where hazardous chemicals are used. Documents the specific work practices, procedures, and equipment used to protect employees from chemical hazards. Must include SOPs, exposure controls, PPE policies, and provisions for particularly hazardous substances.

Why it matters

The foundational OSHA document for any life science lab. Must be accessible to employees, reviewed annually, and tailored to your actual chemistry — not templated.

ProgramCalifornia (state)

CUPA — Certified Unified Program Agency

Local agency (usually county or city) in California that administers six state/federal environmental programs under one roof: HMBP, hazardous waste, UST, AST, CalARP, and California Fire Code hazardous materials.

Why it matters

Your CUPA is the regulator most likely to inspect your facility. They cross-check programs — an HMBP issue often triggers a deeper waste review.

RegulationU.S. DOT / PHMSA

DOT — Department of Transportation (Hazmat)

Regulates the transportation of hazardous materials under 49 CFR Parts 100–185. Covers classification, packaging, marking, labeling, shipping papers, and personnel training for anyone shipping hazmat.

Why it matters

If you ship samples, reagents, or waste in commerce — including via couriers — DOT training is required every three years for each person involved in preparing those shipments.

RegulationU.S. federal

EPA — Environmental Protection Agency

Federal agency responsible for environmental statutes including RCRA (waste), CAA (air), CWA (water), TSCA (chemicals), and EPCRA (community right-to-know). Most programs are delegated to state agencies for enforcement.

Why it matters

EPA programs drive your hazardous waste, air emissions, wastewater discharge, and chemical reporting obligations. Non-compliance can trigger both civil and criminal enforcement.

PermitEPA / state

EPA ID — EPA Identification Number

Unique identifier (e.g., CAL000123456) assigned to hazardous waste generators, transporters, and treatment/storage/disposal facilities. Required for any generator producing more than de minimis quantities of hazardous waste.

Why it matters

You cannot manifest hazardous waste without an EPA ID. SQGs and LQGs must obtain one before first shipment. Applications are through RCRAInfo or state-level portals (e.g., eVQ in California).

StandardOSHA (29 CFR 1910.1200)

HazCom / HCS — Hazard Communication Standard

OSHA standard requiring employers to identify hazardous chemicals, maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), label containers, and train employees. Aligned with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for classification and labeling.

Why it matters

Applies to every workplace with hazardous chemicals — which includes essentially every lab. Foundational training that must be delivered at initial assignment and whenever a new hazard is introduced.

PermitCalifornia CUPA / EPCRA Tier II equivalent

HMBP — Hazardous Materials Business Plan

Submittal required under California HSC 25500–25520 (and equivalent federal EPCRA Tier II programs in other states) that documents what hazardous materials a site stores, where, in what quantity, and how emergency response is handled.

Why it matters

Required before move-in at most life science sites in California. Must be filed in CERS, updated within 30 days of significant changes, and recertified annually.

StandardIATA (industry body aligned to ICAO)

IATA DGR — International Air Transport Association (Dangerous Goods)

International rules for shipping dangerous goods by air. Required training is certification-based and recurrent every 24 months. More stringent than DOT in many areas (packaging, documentation, forbidden items).

Why it matters

If you ship samples, reagents, or dry ice via air — including FedEx/UPS air service — IATA rules apply. Violations can result in airline penalties and shipper account termination.

StandardEPA (40 CFR 268)

LDR — Land Disposal Restrictions

RCRA rules prohibiting land disposal of hazardous wastes that haven't been treated to specified standards. Generators must notify the receiving facility of LDR status with each manifest shipment.

Why it matters

Missing LDR notifications are one of the most common manifest errors. Every manifest shipment requires an LDR form or notation; your disposal vendor can help but the regulatory responsibility is yours.

RegulationU.S. Department of Labor

OSHA — Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Federal agency that sets and enforces workplace safety standards, codified primarily in 29 CFR 1910 (General Industry) and 29 CFR 1926 (Construction). States may operate their own OSHA-approved programs (e.g., Cal/OSHA under Title 8).

Why it matters

Your written EHS programs — Chemical Hygiene Plan, Hazard Communication, Bloodborne Pathogens, Lockout/Tagout, Respiratory Protection — derive from OSHA standards. Citations are per-violation and can stack.

RegulationEPA

RCRA — Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

Federal law governing hazardous waste from cradle to grave. Codified at 40 CFR 260–273. Establishes generator categories (VSQG, SQG, LQG), labeling and accumulation time limits, training requirements, and manifest obligations.

Why it matters

Nearly every life science site generates RCRA hazardous waste. Generator status determines which requirements apply — and status can change month to month based on how much waste you generate.

ProgramEPA RCRA / state

SAA — Satellite Accumulation Area

A location at or near the point of waste generation, under control of the operator, where up to 55 gallons of hazardous waste (or 1 quart of acutely hazardous waste) may accumulate without counting against the 90/180/270-day clock.

Why it matters

Most labs have many SAAs — one per bench, one per fume hood. Each must be labeled, controlled, and managed. Undocumented SAAs are one of the most common citations.

StandardOSHA (per HazCom)

SDS — Safety Data Sheet

16-section document provided by chemical manufacturers describing hazards, handling, and emergency procedures for a chemical. Required to be readily accessible to employees during their work shift.

Why it matters

“Readily accessible” means retrievable in real time — not “in a binder in another building.” Digital SDS systems are fine if they work during a power outage or network failure.