Apendix B: Lab Safety Audit Form

For each lab room, the following items should be inspected by the PI. For each item, it should be indicated whether it is present, not present, or not applicable. Notes may also be taken for any specific item or in general.

  1. General Work Environment
    1. Work areas illuminated
    2. Storage of flammable materials minimized
    3. Trash removed
    4. Heavy items on lower shelves
    5. Stool available for high items
    6. No storage within 18 inches of ceiling
    7. Exit signs present and working
    8. Exits not blocked
    9. Highly toxic materials secure
  2. Emergency Facilities
    1. Fire extinguishers present
    2. Fire extinguishers charged and inspected
    3. Fire blankets present
    4. Fire alarms unobstructed
    5. Safety showers flushed and working
    6. All eye wash fountains flushed and working
    7. Spill kit present and stocked
  3. Information Access
    1. CHP available
    2. Site-specific SOP available
    3. MSDS or SDS available
    4. Door postings
      1. Safety glasses
      2. Hazardous materials
      3. Pressure
      4. No food
      5. Emergency Phone Numbers
      6. Other
  4. Personal Protective Equipment
    1. Safety glasses worn at all times
    2. Goggles or face shields available
    3. Proper gloves worn or available
    4. Lab coats available
    5. Proper other clothing, hair, jewelry
  5. Electrical Safety
    1. Cords in good shape
    2. Cover plates installed
    3. Circuit breaker panels unobstructed
    4. Machine covers installed
    5. No exposed electrical conductors
    6. Ground fault circuit interrupters installed
    7. GFCI working
  6. Chemical Storage
    1. Shelving adequate for loads
    2. Proper refrigeration units and labels
    3. Approved flammable cabinets and labels
    4. Toxic gases in vented cabinets
    5. Proper containers with labels
    6. Fume hood storage minimized
    7. Incompatible chemicals segregated
    8. Corrosives stored below eye level
    9. Storage quantities minimized
    10. Secondary containment for transport
    11. Chemicals with shelf lives dated
    12. Fume hoods used for hazardous chemicals
    13. Gases used in well-ventilated areas
    14. Gas cylinders secured with chain or strap
    15. Proper regulator used
    16. Protective valve covers used
    17. Cylinder carts used for transport
    18. Empty cylinders returned promptly
    19. Cryogen containers vented
    20. Cryogen dewars shielded
    21. PPE used when dispensing cryogens
    22. Waste containers appropriate and labeled
    23. Separate bins for broken glass
    24. Separate bins for sharps
    25. Full waste containers removed from lab
  7. Training and Awareness Interview
    1. All employees received CHP training
    2. All employess have fire extinguisher training
    3. What to do in case of fire?
    4. Where is CHP and SDS?
    5. How to treat spill?
    6. PPE use?
    7. Hood use?
    8. What to do with waste?
    9. What is most hazardous chemical used?
    10. How to use eye wash fountain?
    11. What are symptoms of chemical exposure?
  8. Ventilation
    1. Mechanical inspection
    2. Baffles working
    3. Baffles unobstructed
    4. Emergency flow button
    5. Mute button working
    6. Flow results
    7. Any repairs required?
    8. Hood lockout?
    9. Repairs completed?
  9. Summary of Findings
    1. Any work order repairs needed?
    2. Any behavioral changes needed?
    3. Copy sent to PI or Dean?
    4. Other