Development and Implementation of a Hydrofluoric Acid Safety Program in an Academic Institution

In 2018, the chemical safety team of the Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Department at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) developed and implemented a comprehensive hydrofluoric acid (HF) safety program. This is the first chemical-hazard-specific, comprehensive safety program for CMU's laboratories. The goal of this safety initiative was to raise awareness for HF hazards, train users to handle incidents safely in their laboratories, mandate PPE requirements, identify spill response protocols, and establish a culture of safety. The process that was followed included the development of safety guidelines, standard operating procedures (SOPs), training materials, and first aid kits. User involvement was crucial to the successful development and implementation of the program.