Lab Inspection Checklists

A. General Safety

1. Eating, drinking, and smoking are prohibited. Yes No Corrected
2. Protective clothing available, appropriate, adequate, and used. Yes No Corrected
3. Emergency access sheets and phone numbers are placed conspicuously in the laboratory. Yes No Corrected
4. There is a safe means of egress. Yes No Corrected
5. The lighting is appropriate for the tasks being performed. Yes No Corrected
6. Shelving and cabinets are adequately anchored. Yes No Corrected
7. There are separate, clearly marked containers for broken glass, needles, and other sharps. Yes No Corrected
8. Mouth pippeting is prohibited. Yes No Corrected
9. Equipment safety features are appropriately maintained in good repair. Yes No Corrected
10. Vacuum pump outlets are properly filtered or exhausted. Yes No Corrected
11. Belts, pulleys, and other exposed moving equipment parts are guarded to prevent injury. Yes No Corrected
12. Is there so much clutter that it presents a tripping or other safety hazard? Yes No Corrected
13. Are personnel aware of the emergency evacuation plan for that laboratory? Yes No Corrected

B. CHEMICAL HANDLING AND STORAGE

1. Material Safety Data Sheets are easily accessible. Yes No Corrected
2. Chemical spill kits are available if applicable. Yes No Corrected
3. An eyewash and safety shower are provided where chemicals are used. Yes No Corrected
4. Carcinogens and highly toxic chemicals are documented and handled in accordance with standard laboratory operating procedures in a designated area. Yes No Corrected
5. Containers are correctly labeled. Yes No Corrected
6. Refrigerators are clearly labeled for food or non food substances. Yes No Corrected
7. Incompatible chemicals are not stored together. Yes No Corrected
8. Flammables are stored in approved and adequately labeled cabinets or storage areas. Yes No Corrected
9. Flammable liquid storage areas are free of ignition sources. Yes No Corrected
10. Gas cylinders are labeled, secured, capped (if not in use), transported properly, and away from heat sources. Yes No Corrected
11. Gas cylinders are checked for hydrostatic test date. Yes No Corrected
12. Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) is in use (Y/N). Antidote handy? Yes No Corrected Not Applicable
13. Corrosives stored in corrosive storage cabinet. Yes No Corrected

C. FUME HOODS

1. Fume hoods are certified annually. Yes No Corrected
2. Hazardous processes are done a fume hood. Yes No Corrected
3. There is sufficient storage space to accommodate needs without using fume hoods for storage. Yes No Corrected
4. There is sufficient unobstructed space to allow movement of air into and through fume hoods to rear discharge slots. Yes No Corrected
5. Are fume hoods free of spark/ignition sources? Yes No Corrected

D. ELECTRICAL SAFETY

1. Emergency shutoffs for equipment, utilities, etc. are clearly marked and accessible. Yes No Corrected
2. Electrical cords are not exposed to chemicals. Yes No Corrected
3. Electrical cords and equipment are not exposed to excessive temperatures. Yes No Corrected
4. Electrical cords are not worn, frayed, abraded, or corroded. Yes No Corrected
5. Electrical equipment is correctly grounded or double insulated. Yes No Corrected
6. There are not unfused multiple plug-ins to individual electrical sockets. Yes No Corrected
7. High voltage warning signs are posted where needed. Yes No Corrected

E. FIRE SAFETY

1. Fire doors are kept closed and unobstructed. Yes No Corrected
2. Fire extinguishers are conspicuously located, readily accessible, and appropriate for anticipated use. Yes No Corrected
3. Fire extinguishers are fully charged and inspected once a year. Yes No Corrected
4. A written fire emergency plan is readily available to all personnel. Yes No Corrected
5. The aisles and exits are unobstructed. Yes No Corrected

F. RADIATION SAFETY

1. Work areas where radioactive materials are used are posted with proper warning sings. Yes No Corrected
2. Protective clothing is worn when working with radioactive materials. Yes No Corrected
3. Proper dosimetry (radiation badge) is worn in the laboratory. Yes No Corrected
4. Apparatus, containers, etc. used to store, handle, or dispose of radioactive materials are properly labeled. Yes No Corrected
5. Radiation detection instruments are available and calibrated at least annually. Yes No Corrected
6. Adequate safety devices are used with ultraviolet, X-ray, infrared and all other harmful radiation sources. Yes No Corrected

G. LASER SAFETY

1. Laser safety procedures are followed when lasers are used. Yes No Corrected
2. Proper warning signs are posted around laser operations. Yes No Corrected
3. Appropriate laser goggles available. Yes No Corrected
4. Lasers have been inventories by EH&S. Yes No Corrected
5. Personnel have been trained in laser safety at Harvard. Yes No Corrected
6. Laser warning lights in place for Class 3B & 4 lasers. Yes No Corrected

H. BIO SAFETY

1. Infectious sharps containers available Yes No Corrected
2. BL level regulations properly enforced. Yes No Corrected
3. All personnel trained in blood-borne pathogens. Yes No Corrected
4. Biological wastes stored and disposed of properly. Yes No Corrected

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS