Lab Interview/Inspection

• Audit Title

• Document No.

• Client / Site

• Conducted on

  Date

• Prepared by

• Location
  Address

• Personnel

Type of Lab/Description

• Type of research/work done in lab?

• Are chemicals used? List types.

• Are biological agents used? List type/BSL level.

• Are radioactive materials used?

• Is animal research done in your labs?

• Is your door sign up to date?

Lab Safety Paperwork

• Have you turned in your chemical safety SOPs for current year?

• Is your chemical inventory up to date for this year?

• Has safety training been documented for you and your lab personnel this year?

Purchasing

• What quantities/types of chemicals do you order?

• Have you ordered any pyrophorics, explosives, water reactives?

• Have you ordered any extremely hazardous substances, toxic substances?

• Have you ordered any chemicals of interest (Dept of Homeland Security listed chemicals)?

• Have you ordered any DEA listed chemicals?

• Have you ordered any chemicals regulated by ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms)?

• How do you order (requisitions, blanket orders, etc.) chemicals?

• Are there any problems with ordering/purchasing chemicals?

• Do you order as needed, or do you stockpile?

Storage

• How are your chemicals stored?

• Are flammable liquids (greater than 10 gal) stored in a flammable liquid storage cabinet?

• Are incompatible chemicals stored separately?

• Are proper refrigerators used when storing chemicals inside?

• Are compressed gases properly secured and capped?

• Is storage away from sprinkler heads?

• Is storage away from electrical panels?

• Do you have any storage issues that need to be addressed?

Security

• How are your laboratories and chemicals secured?

• Is there any special security for items such as COI, drugs, water reactives, explosives, extremely hazardous substances?

HAZCOM issues

• Are all chemicals properly labeled (full name of chemical, associated hazards)?

• Are safety data sheets available in work areas? Hard copy or electronic access?

PPE/Respiratory Issues

• Is proper lab attire worn in your laboratories?

• What types of PPE do you have available for use in your labs?

• Is there a need for respiratory protection or exposure monitoring in your labs? If so, type of chemical (formaldehyde, benzene, methylene chloride, etc.) or agent?

• Is PPE adequate for the types of materials used in labs?

• Is PPE stored properly?

• Are workers aware of limitations of PPE and when to use it?

• Have workers received training on PPE?

Engineering Controls

• Are chemical fume hoods or biological safety cabinets used in your labs?

• Are there any problems with ventilation in the laboratories?

• Are fume hoods used for storage or for experiment in progress?

• Is the fume hood equipped with an alarm or vaneometer?

• Have any problems with the fume hood or BSC been noted?

Eyewashes/Showers

• Are your labs equipped with emergency eyewashes or drench hose units?

• What is the location of the nearest emergency shower?

• Are there any noted problems with the eyewashes/showers?

Usage

• Are there housekeeping issues in your labs?

• Are the facilities/equipment adequate for your research/experiments?

Equipment

• Are biohazard or radiation labels needed on equipment?

• Is equipment in good condition (no frayed wires, etc.)?

• Are there enough outlets for your needs?

• Is equipment used properly and for its intended purpose?

Training

• Are all workers in lab trained on safety procedures and is training documented?

• Have you taken the online training courses on laboratory safety?

• Do you prefer online or in person safety training?

• Do you have any suggestions to improve the safety program?

• Are there any topics not available that you would like to see?

Inspections

• Have focus inspections been conducted for your laboratories for this year?

• We're any problems noted?

• Are you familiar with the DSR program and the DSR for your department?

Chemical Disposal

• Do you have problems disposing of any chemicals you no longer want or need?

• Do you have old dusty bottles of chemicals (these can trigger HW disposal citations by DEQ)?

• Are all waste containers capped and not allowed to evaporate as a disposal method?

• Are waste containers properly labeled with the words "hazardous waste" and the full name of the contents and the associated hazards?

• Do you have any suggestions for improvement of the HW program?

• Do you have any suggestions for waste minimization?

Other waste issues

• Are sharps disposed into proper sharps containers?

• Are sharps containers replaced when they are two-thirds full?

• Are glass disposal boxes used for broken glass?

• Are there any waste disposal issues?

Comments

• Do you have any suggestions to improve the relationship of your department/laboratory and OEHS?