A systems approach to an institutional laboratory ventilation management plan

Laboratory ventilation is a fundamental strategy to control exposures to volatile chemicals. However, laboratory ventilation systems are energy-intensive and developing innovative methods for incorporating sustainable energy considerations into laboratory ventilation design and operation is an important concern for successful 21st century laboratory institutions. This paper describes our use of two ANSI standards in the development of a Laboratory Ventilation Management Program (LVMP) that balances health and safety priorities with the sustainability goals of Cornell University. Specifically, this LVMP applies the concept of continuous improvement of system performance described by American National Standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (ANSI Z102012) to the design and operational criteria for laboratory ventilation systems identified by the ANSI Laboratory Ventilation Standard (ANSI Z9.5-2012). Within this LVMP, we identify key stakeholders, their roles and responsibilities relative to the twin goals for the laboratory ventilation system of worker safety and environmental sustainability, and indicators of progress that track the success of the system in meeting these goals.