Eating and Drinking in Laboratories

29 CFR 1919.1450 Appendix A, states in part:

"...(d) Eating, smoking, etc.: Avoid eating, drinking, smoking, gum chewing, or application of cosmetics in areas where laboratory chemicals are present (22, 24, 32, 40); wash hands before conducting these activities (23, 24).

Avoid storage, handling, or consumption of food or beverages in storage areas, refrigerators, glassware or utensils which are also used for laboratory operations (23, 24, 226).

Except as provided below, eating, drinking and smoking are prohibited in Connecticut College laboratories where radioisotopes, biological agents or hazardous chemicals are used, handled or stored.

This prohibition applies to an entire laboratory, not merely to areas within the laboratory where hazardous materials are used. This prohibition includes study carrels and desks that are not physically separated from the work area by floor-to-ceiling walls with doors that close, even if the space is not used for work with hazardous materials.

This prohibition does not apply to space associated with laboratories (such as an interior office) that is physically separated from the laboratory area by floor-to-ceiling walls with doors which will close, and in which hazardous materials are never used or stored.

In areas where eating and drinking are prohibited, food and beverages (and empty food and beverage containers) may not be stored, left or discarded. Government regulators may regard discarded food or beverage containers in a laboratory as evidence of eating or drinking in the laboratory.

Food or drink may be moved through a laboratory only if the food or beverage is wrapped or in a covered container.