Information
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Conducted on
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Prepared by
Biology Lab 625 Tissue Culture
Emergency Contacts, Egress, Emergency Planning and Equipment
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Emergency contacts, biohazardous symbol and phone numbers posted on each lab entrance door and biological freezer. Main agent used is listed on lab entrance door signage (HIV, Blood, HEPB, etc.).<br>
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Exits are free of obstructions and stored materials.
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All phones are labeled with appropriate emergency number (911).
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Biological spill kits or supplies are available. (Generally, for routine tissue culture labs, normal stocks of bleach, kimwipes and biological waste containers, are sufficient to classify as a spill kit.)
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Lab occupancy is not being exceeded. Exceptions include brief instrument use, discussion, PE or facilities needs
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Social distancing is being followed (maintaining 6 feet of distance except for brief conversations)
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Herpes B exposure control kit available if working with non-human primate materials.
Fire Extinguisher
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Fire extinguisher is mounted, charged and accessible. Locations are clearly marked and seals are intact.
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Monthly and annual inspections current.
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Correct for hazards present. (ABC extinguisher is acceptable for a biological lab and is suitable for a Class A normal combustible fire, Class B solvent liquid fire and Class C electrical fire).
Safety Shower and Eyewash
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Eyewash and/or safety shower present. Eyewashes required when handling any volume of corrosive materials. Showers required when handling larger volumes (generally 4 liters or more).
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Not blocked - must be accessible within 10 seconds. Path of travel free of obstructions.
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Locations clearly marked.
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Weekly inspection of eyewashes documented on tag
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Protective caps in place on eyewash stations.
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Monthly flushing of emergency showers documented on tag.
Housekeeping
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Check for hanging ceiling tiles, facility related issues and report to Mark Dalton if identified.
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Check that corrosives are stored in secondary containment.
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Biohazardous sign on any equipment potentially contaminated with biohazardous materials (e.g. freezer, refrigerators, centrifuges, Liquid Plate Handlers, BSC)
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Counters and floors clean and clear of clutter. Lab is free of trip hazards.
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A minimum of 28" egress is maintained.
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Equipment on benches is stable or secured.
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Supplies stored in a stable and secure manner.
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Sharps disposal container provided and clearly labeled.
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No storage within 18 inches of sprinkler heads.
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Hallways and exits are clear.
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No food storage in lab. Refrigerators and freezers are labeled "not for food storage".
Compressed Gas
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Cylinders secured in place with chain or strap.
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Protective caps in place when not in immediate use.
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Corrosive gasses stored no more than 6 months.
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Pressure gauges and regulators are in place as appropriate an are not damaged.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
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Masks/protective face covering designated for lab use only are available and are being properly worn at all times (covering the nose and mouth)
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Safety glasses, lab coats and gloves available.
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Safety Glasses w/side shields, Lab Coats and Gloves being worn by employees using chemicals. Regular prescription glasses not acceptable.
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Appropriate shoes worn (e.g. no sandals, no high heels, no open toe)
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Face shields and cryo gloves available for liquid nitrogen dispensing and when using liquid cyro freezer.
Biosafety Cabinet (Repeat for all BSC)
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CO2 incubators have metal band clamps on hose connection points (ie. at barb fittings).
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Annual certification of biosafety cabinet present.
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Front and back vents not blocked on Biosafety cabinet
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Biological waste containers in BSCs labeled
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All aerosol generating activities with potentially infectious agents conducted in Biosafety Cabinet
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Evidence of work surface disinfection at end of day or end of experiment. Can be assessed by asking employees what their work practice is.
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Centrifuges caps used when necessary (see posted guidance). O-rings in good condition.
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Biosafety cabinets left on unless decon of unit is performed including any material left in the biosafety cabinet. Researchers aware of restart procedure and shutdown procedure for biosafety cabinet (e.g. turn unit on and let run 15 mins before starting work and leave run for 15 mins after work).
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Ensure biosafety cabinet work surface drain is closed to prevent spills.
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No evidence that employees are reaching into Biosafety cabinet or placing head inside the BSC.
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To prevent disruption of airflow and damage to the HEPA filter, do not store items on the top of the cabinet.
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Researchers aware of and no active alarms which indicate the cabinet has improper airflow or reduced performance, which may endanger the researcher and/or the experiment.
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Observation that rapid motions are avoided at the front of the unit and minimize movement of arms in and out of cabinet which may disrupt the air curtain.
Biological Waste Management
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Biohazardous waste boxes not overfilled, stored correctly, in good condition and kept closed (best practice to keep closed, not a state requirement).
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Liquid vacuum traps configured correctly (e.g. two containers, liquid level noted on container, hydrophobic HEPA filter to protect house vacuum system). Liquid Vacuum traps do not need to be located in Biosafety cabinets. They can be positioned underneath.
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Sharps containers provided and clearly labeled.
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Bleach bottles are dated and within 9 month useage window.
Laboratory Equipment & Electrical Safety
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No glassware in use that is cracked, chipped, or otherwise damaged in such a way as to compromise its safe use (check representative sample of glassware that is being used).
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Equipment requiring machinery guards (spinning parts, moving pinch points, gears, chains and sprockets, pulleys, etc) have it and it is working? In biolabs this would commonly be liquid plate handlers and centrifuges.
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Electrical cords and wires are in good condition, no extension cords are being used and surge protectors are connected to wall outlets and not to other extension cords or surge protectors.
