Laboratory Health and Safety Self-Audit Inspection Checklist
Regular safety and health inspections can help your company uncover safety or health risks; reduce or eliminate the chances of an incident. This checklist will also help educate your employees on workplace hazards.
MaintainX
07/22/2022
Laboratory Health and Safety Self-Audit Inspection Checklist
Regular safety and health inspections can help your company uncover safety or health risks; reduce or eliminate the chances of an incident. This checklist will also help educate your employees on workplace hazards.
Building:
Room:
Principal Investigator:
Date:
Audit Performed By:
General Work Environment
Work areas illuminated
Storage of combustible materials minimized
Trash removed promptly
Aisles and passageways kept clear
Wet surfaces covered with non-slip material
Heavy items stored on lower shelves
Means available to reach items stored above shoulder level
Storage at least 18 inches below sprinkler head
Storage at least 24 inches below ceiling
Exits
Security/controls where required for select materials
Pits and floor openings covered or guarded
Emergency Planning
Facilities
Fire extinguishers mounted near doorway
Fire extinguishers unobstructed
Fire extinguisher fully charged
Fire extinguisher tamper indicator in place
Eyewash and safety showers available in close proximity and unobstructed
Fire alarm pull stations unobstructed
Emergency lights functional
Inspections
Fire extinguisher inspected
Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) inspected
Eyewash and safety shower inspected
Procedure
Spill control plan completed
Spill control materials available and adequate to cover anticipated spills
Required Information/Postings
Written Emergency Action Plan
Material Safety Data Sheets Readily accessible
Written Chemical Hygiene Plan available in lab
Written Respiratory Protection Program
Documentation of Personal Protective Equipment Hazard Assessment and training
Postings
Emergency Information Posters accurate and current
OSHA poster
Telephones posted with 911 sticker
Building Evacuation Routes posted
Ice making machines posted Not for Human Consumption
Fire Code Permits posted (when required)
Personal Protective Equipment
Eye and face protection available where needed
Areas requiring the use of eye protection posted
Open toe shoes prohibited in areas where corrosives are used
Respirator use:
Appropriate respirator/appropriate cartridge used
User enrolled in respiratory protection program
Electrical Hazards
Flexible cords in good condition
Cover plate in place for outlets and switches
Circuit breaker panels unobstructed
Machine/instrument access panels in place
No exposed electrical conductors (50 volts or more)
Multiplug adapters have overload protection
No extension cords used
Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) used for wet/exterior use
Guards/covers used for electrophoresis devices
Chemical Storage
Facilities
Shelving adequate for loads imposed
Refrigeration units for chemical storage labeled No Food
Refrigeration units for food labeled Food Only
Chemical storage cabinets properly labeled
Ventilated gas cabinets used for highly toxic gases
No volatile chemical storage in unventilated environmental chambers
Containers
Containers clearly labeled with chemical name(s)
Containers kept closed except during transfers
Storage strictly limited in actively used fume hoods
Containers compatible with the chemical
Procedures
Chemicals segregated to avoid incompatibilities
Large/heavy containers stored on lower shelves
Corrosives not stored above eye level
Storage quantities minimized
Secondary containers used during transport of more than one pint of chemicals
Materials with shelf lives dated and disposed of per supplier’s recommendations
Lab check-out procedures for departing lab workers in place
Fire code permits obtained
Flammable Liquids
Used in fume hood or well-ventilated area
Stored in flammable liquid storage cabinet for more than 10 gallons per room
Refrigeration units approved for flammables storage
Flammables separated from strong oxidizers
Class ABC or BC fire extinguisher available
Flammable liquids not stored near hot plates or other ignition sources
Compressed Gases
Used in well ventilated area
Toxic, flammable, corrosive gases used in fume hood
Storage quantities minimized
Secured from tipping in use
Regulators compatible with gas cylinder
Cylinder carts used for transport
Protective valve caps in place
Empty or unused gas cylinders promptly returned to supplier
Cryogenics
Personal protective equipment used to avoid skin contact
Used/dispensed with good ventilation
Containers vented or pressure relief devices provided
Low temperature embrittlement considered
Glass dewars shielded
Waste Disposal
Containers kept sealed except during transfer
Containers labeled with the words Hazardous Waste
Constituents of the waste described on the container label
Storage limited to < 1 quart of acutely hazardous waste
Glass chemical containers recycled per established procedures
Separate disposal containers available for broken glass
Containers compatible with waste
Ventilation
Each chemical fume hood has been surveyed
Fume hood vents (baffles) unobstructed
Fume hoods used with sash in appropriate position
Chemical storage strictly limited in actively used hoods
Other local exhaust devices (e.g. gas cabinets, elephant trunks) surveyed
Laminar Flow Cabinets posted
Pressure/Vacuum Systems
System components properly designed
Pressure relief devices provided and inspected
Corrosion prevention considered
Written operating procedures available
Inspection/Maintenance procedure in place
Failure analysis and hazard control documented
Glass vessels shielded/enclosed
Operators trained/authorized
Security
Doors to the lab operate, close and lock properly.
Windows operate, close and lock properly.
Alarm systems are operating properly.
Keys and access cards are kept in a secure area, out of sight.
Training/Awareness
Training
Workers have attended Laboratory Safety Training
Workers have attended Emergency Action Plan Training
Workers have attended Laboratory Security Training
Workers have attended a laboratory orientation
Workers have had training beyond EHS training
Training (EHS and departmental) is documented
Awareness: Do laboratory workers know
what to do in the event of an emergency, such as fire, injury, including evacuation routes
how to clean up chemical spills
the location/contents of the Chemical Hygiene Plan
the Chemical Hygiene Officer and Safety Manager for the department
what an MSDS is and where to find them and other safety information
what type of personal protective equipment to use and when to use it
what to do with chemical waste
what are the most hazardous materials you use and what precautions to take
if any of the materials used in the lab are carcinogens, highly toxic agents or reproductive toxins. If so, have you completed a prior approval form?
where and how to use emergency equipment, such as safety showers and eyewash stations
to question unfamiliar visitors in the lab
the contents of the Laboratory Security Policy
if anyone in the laboratory is conducting unauthorized research activities
to report unusual or suspicious conditions and security incidents to Public Safety
Source: MaintainX (Community Member)