Safety & Risk Management

PO Box 170510

Bozeman MT 59717-0510

Telephone:  406-994-2711

Fax:            406-994-7040

www.montana.edu/wwwsrm/

 

 

Laboratory Self Inspection Procedure

Montana State University

 

This self-inspection sheet is to be used by laboratory personnel to evaluate the current regulatory compliance status of their laboratory.  Safety & Risk Management provides this inspection guide as a service to the research community.  Although this list is not entirely inclusive of all applicable State and Federal Regulations it covers the most common non-compliance issues within academic laboratories.  Please use this checklist to evaluate your laboratory and prevent potential regulatory penalty.  It is recommended that this checklist be performed annually or as laboratory occupancy changes.

 

 

Principal Investigator:_______________________________

 

Department:______________________________________NFPA Code for Lab:___________________

 

Building:_______________________Room:_______________Lab Contact:_______________________

 

Phone:____________________Home phone:_______________________

Date:____________________

 

 

Y=Satisfactory Situation         Requirement applicable to lab and current practices comply

N=Needs Improvement           Requirement applicable to lab and current practices need modified to comply

N/A=Not Applicable                 Requirement not applicable to laboratory use.

NI=Never Implemented           Requirement applicable to lab and never addressed in practice.

 

 

Hazardous Materials

  1. Labeling
    1. Containers of stock solutions properly identified (buffers labeled with “BUFFER”, component names and volumes)
    2. Original product names (or full chemical names) and hazards clearly identified on labels (e.g., “Ethanol, Flammable” instead of “ETOH”)—no confusing or conflicting information on label.
    3. Containers of non-hazardous substances (e.g., water) labeled explicitly to avoid confusion.
    4. Synthesized, unnamed chemicals labeled by their reactants and possible products (or by generic description) and with their probable hazards.

  2. Control
    1. Designated area established for the use of listed carcinogens.
    2. Secondary containment provided for liquid chemicals, as needed (OSHA Lab Standard, EPA RCRA Secondary Containment Rule)—and used for dry chemicals next to or below liquids.
    3. No hazardous materials stored next to or above sinks.
    4. Incompatible chemicals (including solids) segregated by Flynn or similar reference standard for compatibility groups.
    5. All chemical containers capped and sealed, except when actively adding or removing materials from them (i.e., no funnels sticking out of top for extended periods.)
    6. Containers of peroxide-forming chemicals are dated upon receipt and disposed of when six-month shelf life is exceeded (also check containers for expiration dates).

  3. Storage of Flammable/Combustible Liquids
    1. Liquids not dispensed from gravity-fed or bottom-dispensing containers (including <5% Ethanol solutions)—use lid-mounted pumps.
    2. Flammables not stored in combustible containers.
    3. Flammable liquid storage cabinet(s) used and adequate for needs.
    4. Ether and other highly flammable liquids are stored away from sources of heat and ignition.
    5. Total volume of flammable liquids does not exceed:

                                                               i.      Non-Instructional Labs - 5gal/100 sq. ft. Floor space 300 gal max.

                                                             ii.      Instructional Labs 2.5gal/100 sq. ft. floor space 150 gal max.       Note: Unsprinklered labs are only allowed 50% of these maximums.

    1. Flammable liquids (including flammable liquid wastes) not stored outside of a flammable storage cabinet in excess of 10 gallons.

 

Hazardous Waste

  1. Containment and Storage
    1. Specific storage containers provided for:

                                                               i.      Chemical Waste

                                                             ii.      Radioactive Waste

                                                            iii.      Recyclable solvents

                                                            iv.      Infectious Wastes

                                                              v.      Sharps

                                                            vi.      Broken Glass

    1. No intentional disposal of chemicals by evaporation into a fume hood, into the room, or out to outside open air.
    2. No intentional disposal of chemicals by introduction into drains leading to sewer system.  Intentional dilution of materials over 100 mls is a violation of regulations.
    3. Waste containers are:

                                                               i.      Sturdy and routinely inspected for leaks

                                                             ii.      Compatible with the waste generated.

                                                            iii.      Kept closed at all times unless adding waste (i.e., no funnels left sticking out) containers are closed with screw caps or other tight-fitting closure.

    1. Segregated by compatible Storage Group and Chemical Safety waste system and in secondary containers.
    2. Not stored for more than 9 months from the initial date of accumulation.
    3. Rooms where wastes are stored are on the same floor of building and are under the control of the same PI as the room where the wastes were generated.

  1. Labeling
    1. Containers are labeled with the initial date of accumulation, the words “HAZARDOUS WASTE”, and the responsible parties name.
    2. A list of full chemical names and percentages of chemicals in container is maintained and readily available on or near the container.
    3. All synthesized, unnamed chemical wastes labeled by their reactants and possible products with possible hazards.

  2. Biohazardous Wastes
    1. Contained in red bags and all syringes/needles disposed of in sharps containers.
    2. Red bags only used for infectious wastes.

 

 

Personal Health and Safety

 

  1. Training
    1. Safety training documentation complete and current
    2. Supervisor/PI has a specialized written training plan for his/her lab
    3. Departmental Chemical Hygiene plan available and followed.

  2. Food and Drink
    1. Stored and consumed where they may not be contaminated by toxic or infectious materials.
    2. No edibles stored in refrigerator or freezer unless dedicated for food and so labeled.
    3. Refrigerators/freezers clearly labeled for the type of material stored in them with the words “NOT FOR STORAGE OF FOOD”

  3. Cooling and evaporative apparatus.
    1. Are cooling lines regularly checked for deterioration?
    2. Are clamps in place and checked for deterioration?
    3. Are cooling lines near drains to prevent late night floods?

 

Health and Safety Equipment

  1. Safety showers and eye washes

a.      Approved safety showers and eye washes provided within the work area for immediate use (within 15 seconds of exposure area) and with access to them unobstructed (nothing under or in front of)

b.      Units inspected periodically for proper functioning.

  1. Laboratory Fume Hoods

a.      Certified within the last year (check for sticker)

b.      Airflow indicator present in exhaust hood.

c.      Storage of chemicals within hood minimized

d.      Front sash is lowered to 14” when hood is in use.

  1. Biological Safety Cabinets (e.g., Laminar flow hoods)

a.      Certified within the last year

b.      Proper type for work being performed (check Biosafety and Radiation Safety Manual for guidelines)

  1. Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety

a.      Cylinders protected from external heat sources and stored in protected, well-vented, and dry locations away from combustible materials.

b.      Storage space will not be damaged by passing or falling objects nor is area subject to tampering by unauthorized persons.

c.      Cylinders secured to a rigid structural component of the building, preferable with chains at two positions on cylinder.

d.      Protective caps in place while the cylinders are not in use or not connected for use.

  1. Housekeeping and Miscellaneous Laboratory Safety

a.      Bench tops clean and organized and environs maintained to eliminate harmful exposures or unsafe conditions.

b.      Vacuum lines equipped with traps designed specifically to accumulate/filter the hazardous materials being evacuated.

c.      All moving machinery (e.g., vacuum pumps) belts adequately protected by a rigid belt-guard.

  1. Electrical Safety

a.      Extension cords not used as permanent wiring and no equipment has frayed electrical cords.

b.      High voltage equipment (>600 V) labeled, grounded, and insulated.

c.      Multiple adaptors used only if they are equipped with circuit breakers.

  1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required in lab work

a.      Safety Glasses/goggles

b.      Face Shields

c.      Lab coats

d.      Aprons

e.      No open-toed footwear

f.        Gloves

g.      PPE for radiological work

h.      Respiratory protection use conforms to safety requirements.

 

Emergency Preparedness

  1. Basic Earthquake Safety
    1. Shelves have lips or other seismic restraints.
    2. Cabinets and bookshelves are secured to walls.
    3. Overhead storage is minimized and restrained from falling
    4. Disaster and fire prevention plans are available to lab occupants.

  2. Emergency Planning and Procedures
    1. “Incase of Emergency” or “Emergency Instructions” poster visibly posted and current.
    2. Chemical spill kit/cleanup materials provided (if required by department plan)
    3. Training in spill clean-up procedures provided and documented (only if materials provided)

  3. First aid materials kept in adequate supply (in sanitary and usable condition) and made readily available.

  4. Fire Prevention
    1. Appropriate fire extinguisher mounted, available within 75 feet, and inspected within the last year—see tag
    2. 18 inch vertical clearance maintained from sprinkler heads (top shelf distance from head)

  5. Exits and Width of Exits
    1. Exits and aisles are clear and free of potential obstructions in case of emergency
    2. Exit signs readily visible
    3. Width of exit aisles and pathways not less than 44 inches.

 

 

 

Completed by:______________________________________Date:___________________

 

Signature of PI:______________________________________Date:____________________

 

 

General Comments and Follow-Up items: