Lab Self-Audit Checklist
Self Audit Lab Inspection (PI or Lab Manager)
The purpose of this lab audit form is to allow the principal investigaor or laboratory manager to do quick and easy self-audit of their lab procedures. The checklist incorporates major components of lab safety, biosafety and radiation safety, as well as regulatory items pertaining to Ohio PERRA, OSHA,EPA, NIH, ODH, and NRC. This checklist should serve as an easy way to generally check on major components of your chemical hygiene plan (lab health and safety programs). These are the same questions that are in the RMS audit system.
| Area | Section | Critera |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Storage | 1.1 | Are chemicals stored by chemical classes and separated vertically and horizontally from incompatibles (not alphabetically)? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.2 | Are peroxide-formers, shock sensitive, water sensitive and other special materials properly stored? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.3 | Are flammables stored in approved flammable storage cabinets? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.4 | Are cylinder gases properly secured, used, and transported? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.5 | Are cylinder gases stored separately from incompatible materials? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.6 | Are high hazards chemicals, carcinogens, and mutagens stored in secure, labeled areas or cabinets? (per OSHA 29CRF1910.1450(e)(3)(viii)) |
| Chemical Storage | 1.7 | Are chemical storage cabinets or shelves: sturdy, secured to floor/wall, stable and have lips, curbs, ropes or other “knock-off” protection? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.8 | Are secondary containers used for chemicals when necessary (storage, use, transport)? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.9 | Are fumehoods free of stored materials (chemicals are stored in appropriate cabinets, not the fumehood)? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.10 | Are flammables stored outside of flammable storage cabinets only in daily working amounts? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.11 | Are chemical containers wiped and capped immediately after use to avoid spills and off-gassing? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.12 | Are all chemicals properly labeled? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.13 | Are chemical containers dated when received and when opened? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.14 | Are date-sensitive materials controlled and disposed of when needed? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.15 | Are old chemicals properly and legally disposed of and not allowed to accumulate? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.16 | Are refrigerators maintained and clean? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.17 | Is there no respirator usage? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.18 | If respirators are used, is proper evaluation by RMS and enrollment in Respiratory Protection Program complete? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.19 | Is a spark-proof electrical systems used, if needed? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.20 | Are unattended reactions or operations minimized or forbidden? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.21 | Are unsafe conditions corrected immediately or referred to appropriate academic or administrative offices? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.22 | Is the safety shower/eyewash thoroughly tested at least monthly, with reminder sheet posted? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.23 | Are spills cleaned up immediately? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.24 | Are clean up materials and absorbents available for mercury collection and clean up? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.25 | Are spill clean up kits available in the lab and maintained/stocked as needed? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.26 | Is safety equipment tested, checked, refilled regularly (for anything other than safety shower, eyewash & spill kits)? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.27 | Do all research projects have appropriate institutional approvals and numbers (Radiation Safety Committee, IBC, IRB, IACUC, etc.)? |
| Radiaton (Ionizing and Non-Ionizing | 2.1 | Have needed projects been reviewed and assigned a radiation approval #? |
| Radiaton (Ionizing and Non-Ionizing | 2.2 | Are radioactive material users properly permitted by the RSC, trained, and in compliance with NRC/ODH/RSC guidelines? |
| Radiaton (Ionizing and Non-Ionizing | 2.3 | Do labs generating low level radioactive waste participate in OU radioactive waste disposal program? |
| Radiaton (Ionizing and Non-Ionizing | 2.4 | Have non-radioactive material users who need to come in radiation labs received orientation training? |
| Radiaton (Ionizing and Non-Ionizing | 2.5 | Are specialized eye protection (lasers) or other safety devices used properly? |
| Radiaton (Ionizing and Non-Ionizing | 2.6 | Are physical non-ionizing radiation sources safely used, labeled, categorized and maintained (lasers, UV, etc.)? |
| Biosafety | 3.1 | Have needed projects been reviewed and assigned a biosafety approval #? |
| Biosafety | 3.2 | Do biological labs meet O.U. Biosafety Program and CDC/NIH guidelines? |
| Biosafety | 3.3 | Do labs generating infectious waste participate in OU Infectious Waste Management Program? |
| Biosafety | 3.4 | Do labs working with blood or other potentially infectious materials have a written and implemented OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Plan? |
| Biosafety | 3.5 | Are organisms or toxins in laboratory permitted for use at OU? Remember that OU is not registered for the federal “Select Agent Transfer or Possession Laws” and there are no BSL3 or BSL4 facilities. |
| Biosafety | 3.6 | Are biosafety cabinets tested and recertified annually, when new, and when moved? |
Self Audit Lab Inspection (Physical Laboratory)
The purpose of this lab audit form is to allow lab personnel to do quick and easy self-audit of their labs. The checklist incorporates major components of lab safety, biosafety and radiation safety, as well as regulatory items pertaining to Ohio PERRA, OSHA, EPA, NIH, ODH, and NRC. This checklist should serve as an easy way to generally check on major components of your chemical hygiene plan (lab health and safety programs). These are the same questions that are in the RMS audit system.
| Area | Section | Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Storage | 1.1 | Are chemicals stored by chemical classes and separated vertically and horizontally from incompatibles (not alphabetically)? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.2 | Are peroxide-formers, shock sensitive, water sensitive and other special materials properly stored? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.3 | Are flammables stored in approved flammable storage cabinets? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.4 | Are cylinder gases properly secured, used, and transported? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.5 | Are cylinder gases stored separately from incompatible materials? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.6 | Are high hazards chemicals, carcinogens, and mutagens stored in secure, labeled areas or cabinets? (per OSHA 29CRF1910.1450(e)(3)(viii)) |
| Chemical Storage | 1.7 | Are chemical storage cabinets or shelves: sturdy, secured to floor/wall, stable and have lips, curbs, ropes or other “knock-off” protection? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.8 | Are secondary containers used for chemicals when necessary (storage, use, transport)? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.9 | Are fumehoods free of stored materials (chemicals are stored in appropriate cabinets, not the fumehood)? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.10 | Are flammables stored outside of flammable storage cabinets only in daily working amounts? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.11 | Are chemical containers wiped and capped immediately after use to avoid spills and off-gassing? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.12 | Are all chemicals properly labeled? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.13 | Are chemical containers dated when received and when opened? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.14 | Are date-sensitive materials controlled and disposed of when needed? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.15 | Are old chemicals properly and legally disposed of and not allowed to accumulate? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.16 | Are refrigerators maintained and clean? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.17 | Are lab refrigerators free of food, cosmetics, medicines, and personal item storage? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.18 | Are explosive-proof refrigerators used and labeled when needed? |
| Chemical Storage | 1.19 | Are lab refrigerator labeled as needed (radioactive or infectious materials, etc.)? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.1 | Does the signage on the lab door and inside lab have appropriate warnings, symbols, safety information, and names and phone numbers of principle investigator, lab director, and /or alternates? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.2 | If radioactive materials are allowed to be used in this lab, is there proper signage on the door? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.3 | Are lab rules (SOP's) posted? ( A general list is available from Lab Safety Coordinator) |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.4 | Is lab housekeeping good and is a system established for set up, dismantling, and clean up? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.5 | Is any office space inside the lab separated from the other work areas and labeled as an office area? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.6 | `If food or other typically prohibited items are allowed and approved in the lab, is the area of use demarcated (labeled)? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.7 | Are aisles clear and unobstructed? Are slips, trips, and falls avoided? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.8 | Are lab sinks free of contamination and thoroughly rinsed with water? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.9 | Is broken or defective equipment tagged out? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.10 | Are spills cleaned up immediately and are emergency/spills kits available in the lab areas? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.11 | Are unsafe conditions corrected immediately or referred to appropriate academic or administrative offices? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.12 | Do all vacuum pumps and other equipment have appropriate parts guarded (and vented if needed)? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.13 | Is lab room differential pressure acceptable (negative pressure, etc)? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.14 | Are physical non-ionizing radiation sources safely used, labeled, categorized and maintained (lasers, UV, etc.)? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.15 | Are a hand washing sink, soap, and towels available and used? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.16 | Are proper techniques and equipment used for glass tubing, stopper, connections & assemblies? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.17 | Are centrifuges properly installed and used? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.18 | Are pressurized operations and containers properly designed, used, monitored (vacuum chambers, carboys, pressurized vessels) and temperature controlled? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.19 | Has mercury use has been minimized? Have mercury thermometers have been replaced? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.20 | Is needed equipment supplied (hoods, biosafety cabinets, shields, etc)? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.21 | Is the lighting adequate? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.22 | Are heat sources or flames used away from flammables (no heat sources near flammables)? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.23 | Are ground fault circuit interruptions (GFCI) on electrical outlets within 6’ of water and/or to code? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.24 | Are electrical systems grounded? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.25 | Are spark-proof electrical systems used, if needed? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.26 | Are extension cords or temporary wiring used appropriately? (i.e. cords are out of the way and not bunched up. Surge protectors and extension cords are not chain linked) |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.27 | Is grounding and bonding used where static spark or flammables may be a concern? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.28 | Are plumbing system/spigots protected with back flow prevention (vacuum breakers, etc.)? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.29 | Is natural gas properly installed and leak-free? |
| Laboratory Set-Up | 2.30 | Is the laboratory free of asbestos containing materials (ACM)? (i.e. no insulating ropes, etc. that contain asbestos) |
| Practices | 3.1 | Do eating, drinking, using tobacco products, applying of cosmetics, or taking medicine, occur only outside the lab (these activities prohibited in lab)? |
| Practices | 3.2 | Is proper lab technique required at all times (no mouth pipetting, experiential procedure established, proper chemistry techniques followed)? |
| Practices | 3.3 | Is appropriate lab attire worn (lab coats, no shorts, no open-toed shoes, etc)? |
| Practices | 3.4 | Is specialized eye protection (for lasers) or other specialized safety devices used properly? |
| Practices | 3.5 | Are unattended reactions forbidden or minimized and properly structured? |
| Practices | 3.6 | Is there a procedure for cleaning lab coats?` |
| Emergency Preparedness | 4.1 | Is a lab phone available with emergency phone numbers posted? |
| Emergency Preparedness | 4.2 | Is a lab safety shower/eyewash available? |
| Emergency Preparedness | 4.3 | Is safety equipment available and operational (fire extinguisher, fire aid kits, etc.)? |
| Emergency Preparedness | 4.4 | Are safety shower/eyewash thoroughly tested at least monthly, with reminder sheet posted? |
| Emergency Preparedness | 4.5 | Is safety equipment easily accessible (NOT blocked or obstructed)? |
| Emergency Preparedness | 4.6 | Are egress routes from lab established, not blocked, and known? |
| Hoods and HVAC | 5.1 | Are special hoods or ventilation devices available (perchloric acid hoods, etc?) |
| Hoods and HVAC | 5.2 | Are fumehoods working properly? |
| Hoods and HVAC | 5.3 | Are lab fumehoods and biosafety cabinets registered with RMS? |
| Hoods and HVAC | 5.4 | Are fumehoods independently tested? |
| Hoods and HVAC | 5.5 | Is the fumehood monitor/flow device checked daily? |
| Hoods and HVAC | 5.6 | Are any fumehoods filters maintained and changed regularly (HEPA, charcoal, etc.)? |
| Hoods and HVAC | 5.7 | Are duct-less hoods approved by RMS and filters maintained/changed regularly? |
| Hoods and HVAC | 5.8 | Is lab air relatively odor-free? |
| Hoods and HVAC | 5.9 | Do the lab staff understand fumehood flow alarms, audible alarms, magnehelic gauges and what to do when indicators go off? Are the alarms not disabled? |
| Waste | 6.1 | Are normal trash waste streams categorized, labeled, covered, and disposal methods established? |
| Waste | 6.2 | Are animal carcass waste streams categorized, labeled, covered, and disposal methods established? |
| Waste | 6.3 | Are chemical/hazardous waste streams categorized, labeled, covered, and disposal methods established? |
| Waste | 6.4 | Are radiation waste streams categorized, labeled, covered, and disposal methods established? |
| Waste | 6.5 | Are infectious waste streams categorized, labeled, covered, and disposal methods established? |
| Waste | 6.6 | Are noncontaminated sharps and glass waste streams categorized, labeled, covered, and disposal methods established? |
| Waste | 6.7 | Are other necessary waste streams categorized, labeled, covered, and disposal methods established? |
| Waste | 6.8 | Are waste chemicals stored in secondary containment until pickup in case of leaks or spillage? |
Self Audit Lab Inspection (Department)
The purpose of this lab audit form is to allow the department chair or chemical hygiene officer to do a quick and easy self-audit of their laboratory safety practices and procedures. The checklist incorporates major components of lab safety, biosafety and radiation safety, as well as regulatory items pertaining to Ohio PERRA, OSHA, EPA, NIH, ODH, and NRC. This checklist should serve as an easy way to generally check on major components of your chemical hygiene plan (lab health and safety programs). These are the same questions that are in the EHS audit system.
| Area | Section | Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.1 | Is a Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) written and implemented for the department? |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.2 | Is a Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO)/Safety Officer designated for the department? |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.3 | Is the CHP reviewed annually and adjustments made if necessary? |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.4 | Is a department Safety/Audit committee established and active? |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.5 | Is record keeping in order for written CHP and are CHP annual review documents in order? |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.6 | Do all employees that use chemicals in the lab (including grad and teaching assistants) have had documented chemical hygiene training? |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.7 | Has staff been trained on use of fire extinguishes, fire prevention, and egress? |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.8 | Are student safety policies established that mirror employee/lab standard practices? |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.9 | Are department safety orientations done for all graduate students, teaching assistants, research assistants, technicians, post-doc’s and visiting professors? |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.10 | Are safety orientations or course work in lab safety insured for undergraduate students? |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.11 | Does the visitors policy require compliance with lab safety and PPE requirements? |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.12 | Is HB308-“Public Employees OSHA” Poster posted on department public bulletin boards? |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.13 | Are department employees informed of the RMS web site (www.ohio.edu/ehs)? |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.14 | Are lab maintenance and testing duties assigned to appropriate staff? |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.15 | Does the department have appropriate research apparatus/shop design reviews and safety considerations established for the design and construction of “home-made” research equipment and apparatus? |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.16 | Are unsafe conditions corrected immediately or referred to appropriate academic or administrative offices? |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.17 | Are emergency/spills kits available in the lab areas and/or within the department? |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.18 | Are clean up materials and absorbents available for mercury collection and clean up? |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.19 | Does the department have a communications system/mechanism in place to quickly disseminate environmental, health, and safety information? |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.20 | Is record keeping for incident reports and follow-up in order? |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.21 | Is a departmental policy established and enforced for faculty lab clean out or departure from the university (coordinated with RMS)? |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.22 | Are OU Hazardous Materials Policies followed (44.104 and 44.108)? View the policy for more information. |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.23 | Is there a procedure for cleaning lab coats? |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.24 | Does the department have appropriate stockroom procedures established for chemical control? |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.25 | Are policies established for small quantity purchase and waste minimization? |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.26 | Is the proper equipment maintained for the safe transport of chemicals (carts, secondary containers, break-resistant containers)? |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.27 | Is a chemical inventory maintained? |
| Department Policies and Procedures | 1.28 | Are MSDSs maintained with record keeping and a system to add/delete/archive MSDSs? |