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LAB SAFETY INSPECTION CHECKLIST

Lab Safety

• EMERGENCY & SAFETY EQUIPMENT

• Are emergency notification procedures, contacts, and phone numbers posted? (see EH&S website under General Safety for templates)

• Do employees and students know where and how to receive care for an injury?

• Are emergency eyewash and/or safety shower stations accessible and functioning?

• Are eyewashes and safety showers inspected and (both) tested monthly and records of testing available?

• Is a first aid kit readily accessible and adequately stocked?

• EMERGENCY & SAFETY EQUIPMENT

• Is a fire extinguisher readily accessible (within 75 feet) and inspected within the last month?

• Is a chemical fume hood(s) available and certified for use?

• HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING

• Have all employees who handle Hazardous Materials been trained in either Hazard Communication or Laboratory Safety (Chemical Hygiene Plan), with documentation?
  

• Are all employees who handle Hazardous Waste trained with documentation?

• Have all employees been trained on the equipment they operate?

• Are all safety trainings documented and filed?

• Is PPE provided and used when necessary?

• HOUSEKEEPING AND VENTILATION

• Are all work sites clean and orderly?

• Are oily rags and combustible wastes kept in metal bin and removed from the shop daily?

• Are waste containers kept clean and emptied regularly?\

• Is food kept in designated area at all times?

• Are all cabinets and shelves above 60” secured or anchored?

• Are all machines secured or anchored?

• Are floors in good condition and kept dry?

• Are all light fixtures adequate and functioning properly?

• Is the ventilation system adequate for the work being performed?

• No heavy items stored above shoulder height?

• ELECTRICAL SAFETY

• Are all plugs, cords, and panels enclosed, free from splices with insulation in good condition?

• Do all extension cords have grounding conductors?

• Are extension cords used only temporarily? Never link cords together!

• Are cords secured so they do not run across pathways, under doors or the walls?

• ELECTRICAL SAFETY (CONT.)

• Is the breaker panels accessible (30” x 30” clearance in front of all panels and circuit breaker boxes) with labels identifying the function of each switch?

• Are ground fault circuit interrupters available for use?

• Are hand tools effectively grounded or an approved double insulated type?

• MECHANICAL SAFETY

• Is defective equipment promptly reported, labeled, and repaired?
  

• Do all machines have guards to protect against points of operation, nip point, rotating parts, moving parts, flying chips, sparks, etc.?

• Are written standard operating procedures (SOPs) or job hazard or job safety analysis (JHA, JSA) for each machine available and executed by all employees?

• Are machines regularly cleaned and maintained?

• Are lock-out procedures followed and appropriate tags in place?

• Do only authorized employees perform repairs?

• PORTABLE TOOLS

• Are all electrical hand tools in good operating condition?

• Are tools are free from cracks and broken parts?

• Are ladders free from dents, splinters, grease, dirt, etc.?

• Do the spreaders lock in place?

• Are all safety feet on the ladder in good condition?

• Are only approved welding equipment used?

• Are all welding equipment properly insulated?

• Are fuel gas hoses red , oxygen green , and inert gas black?

• Are gas cylinders legibly marked?

• Are gas cylinders and hoses free from cracks or dents?

• Are gas cylinders secured in an upright position by two steel chains or steel cables?