Laboratory Inspection 2024

• Inspection Title (Location):

• Personnel Present

General Safety

• Is the correct signage displayed on the door?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is food and drink prohibited?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the lab have any restrictions in relation to unauthorised access?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• What systems are in place to restrict access?

Space and Layout

• Is there enough space to move around the area safely?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there enough space for safe storage of materials and equipment?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there enough clear bench space for safe use of materials and equipment?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Housekeeping

• Are floors in a safe condition?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are floors free from obstructions and trip hazards?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are surfaces clean?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Ventilation

• Is there fresh air, without drafts?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is local exhaust ventilation (LEV) provided to remove fumes and dust?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has an air quality meter reading been taken?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Environment

• Has the room temperature been measured?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are windows clean and in a safe condition?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are blinds fitted to reduce glare or temperature?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the lighting adequate in all work areas?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is extra lighting provided for close work where needed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has a noise meter reading been taken?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Manual Handling

• What type of manual handling takes place in this work area?

• Has manual handling training been completed by those in this work area?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Can you provide a record of this?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Would manual handling training would be beneficial? Would you like to arrange training?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are ladders, stepladders, or kick stools used in the work area?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there evidence of an up to date inspection sticker and record?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there evidence of pre-use inspections?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is storage organised so that heavy and awkward items are stored at waist height?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• What lifting aids are available?

• Have suitable and sufficient manual handling risk assessments been developed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have all those who are involved in manual handling tasks read and signed these risk assessments?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do you have records of these 'sign off sheets'?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Emergency

• Are fire exit and escape routes free from obstructions?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are fire doors clearly marked and kept closed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are fire extinguishers provided and tested annually?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• What type of fire extinguishers are available? Are these correct for this work area?

• Are up to date fire notices displayed in work areas?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are emergency phone numbers near a phone or outside the door?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are up to date first aid posters displayed with names, locations and contact details for trained first aiders?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are first aid boxes clearly marked and kept fully stocked with stock that in is date?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the locations of eyewash stations/showers posted?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are inspections of eyewash stations/showers up to date?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a spill kit available in the lab, with the location posted?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Where is the nearest appropriate spill kit?

Work Equipment

• Does all the equipment work?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Who can use the equipment? Is equipment with specific hazards restricted? If so, who to?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• What preventative maintenance/servicing takes place for the equipment?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are inspections, tests, maintenance, services and repairs recorded in a log? If so, where is this held?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If there are guards and safety devices, are these tested and maintained?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Can these maintenance/service operations be undertaken safely?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are measures taken to prevent or control specified hazards from the use of equipment?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are hazard and danger points clearly marked?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there adequate warnings and warning devices?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there emergency stop controls for the work equipment?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a means of isolation from the energy source?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Lifting Equipment/Working at Height

• Is lifting equipment present in this work area?

  Yes

  No

• Is there a work at height platform?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there cranes and lifting accessories?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there cradles and hoists?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there the appropriate inspection checklists?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there the appropriate examination certificates?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Hazardous Substances

• Are hazardous substances used within this work area?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there an up to date inventory of the hazardous substances used, stored and produced in this work area?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are hazardous substances correctly segregated?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are Hazardous Safety cabinets being used properly and in good condition?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are total flammable liquids under the maximum amount allowed per cabinet and laboratory?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all substances labelled correctly?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are hazardous substances stored in appropriate containers?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all staff trained in the safe handling, storage and disposal of hazardous substances?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there process or storage CoSHH risk assessments in place to cover the handling, storage and disposal of hazardous substances?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are these stored on the Alcumus SAT and in date?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• What are the assessment ID's for the CoSHH risk assessments that are used for processes in this work area?

• Have all staff read and signed the CoSHH risk assessments?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Can you provide evidence of this - sign of sheet?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are students exposed to hazardous substances?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have students received adequate training on the storage, handling and disposal of the hazardous substances?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do you keep records of this training? (e.g., laboratory induction, CoSHH and risk assessment sign-off sheets)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do you use Compressed Gas in this work area?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are cylinders stored properly and capped if unused?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are cylinders properly labelled and secured?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are empty cylinders managed or returned?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are lab users trained in the safe handling of gas cylinders?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there emergency procedures in place in the event of a release of compressed gas?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Autoclaves/Pressure Vessels

• Are there autoclaves or pressure vessels in this work area?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there up to date lists of those who are authorised to use the autoclaves?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the register of autoclaves up to date? Is there written evidence that these have been regularly inspected?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are autoclaves marked with the date of the last inspection and when the next inspection is due?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there records of daily/weekly examinations for the proper functioning of safety devices? This can be recorded in a autoclave logbook.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Centrifuges

• Are there centrifuges in this work area?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a nominated person responsible for each centrifuge?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there up to date lists of who is authorised to operate the centrifuge?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there is a log of rotor usage for each centrifuge and is this kept up to date?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are centrifuge and rotors in a clean and dry condition with no evidence of corrosion on critical parts?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there written records of inspections and maintenance of centrifuges? Is it clear when the next maintenance visit is due?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Is adequate and appropriate PPE provided?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• What PPE is provided?

• Is PPE maintained properly?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is PPE easy to clean, sanitise and maintain and replacement of parts is simple?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is appropriate storage for PPE provided when not in use?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are steps taken to ensure the correct use of PPE?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is suitable PPE available for emergency use?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is appropriate PPE available for use by visitors?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Waste Disposal

• Is there an identified central location for hazardous waste?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is waste being appropriate segregated?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are proper waste containers being used with appropriate labels?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are proper sharps containers in use?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are needles and syringes being stored properly?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

GM

• Is GM work carried out in this area?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Provide details of the GM work.

• Has this work been approved by the Biological Safety Officer?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have all those working in this area completed and returned the Biological Agent Health Assessment form?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a biohazard sign on the laboratory door?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there an observation window or other means of viewing occupants?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are bench surfaces impervious to water and easy to clean?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are bench surfaces resistant to acid, alkalis, solvents and disinfectants (that may be used)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a hand washing sink (separate from the lab sink) with taps operable without being touched by hand; hot water and soap available?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a suitable Microbiological Safety Cabinet (MSC) or enclosure available for procedures involving infectious materials?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the MSC/enclosure tested (and serviced) at least every 14 months?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are MSC/enclosure user checks conducted (e.g., visual checks, alarm checks, good housekeeping)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there an autoclave in the building?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Where is waste autoclaved?

• How is waste transported to this location?

• Is the autoclave cycle validated for the wild type pathogen/GMM waste load?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are autoclave records kept; load parameters records; tested, maintained and serviced?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are contingency or alternative autoclaves or waste disposal arrangements available (if required)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• How is the waste generated finally disposed of?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is access restricted to authorised personnel only? (Door closed when work in progress and locked when not in use).

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there any lone working?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a risk assessment in place for this?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Radiation

• Are sources of radiation used in this work area?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Provide details of radiation source.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have users of this equipment been trained?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is access to this work area restricted?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Provide details of restricted access.

• Are radiation warning sign(s) posted on entrance(s)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are emergency procedures and phone numbers clearly posted?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the local rules posted and adhered to?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the controlled area and supervised area (if applicable) clearly marked?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are written procedures readily available? (if applicable).

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the power supply clearly marked?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the power 'ON' lamp working?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the x-ray lights visible from outside the work area?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all electrical contacts guarded against operator contact?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all power leads insulated and undamaged?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are records of use maintained?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Lasers

• Are lasers used in this work area?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• What category of laser is used?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are these lasers registered in the Laser Inventory?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the users of the lasers listed on the Laser User Register?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there appropriate warning/danger signage at the entrance to the laser area?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Provide a description of the interlock system.

• Is the laser certification label visible?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the laser class designation and appropriate warning label visible?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the radiation output information included on the label?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the aperture label present and clearly visible?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the laser operated at the lowest power setting appropriate for the activity?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the protective housing in good condition?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the beam attenuator present and in good condition?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the laser table below eye level?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the beam enclosed as much as is possible?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the beam directed away from doors and windows? Are windows blacked out?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are beams terminated with fire-resistant beam stops?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do users remove jewellery? Watches, rings, bracelets etc.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the eye protection appropriate for the wavelength used?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS

• Are there appropriate Risk Assessments for the work carried out in this area?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there appropriate SOPs for the work carried out in this area?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do you have induction records for those working in this work area?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do you have training records for those working in this work area?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are chemical fume hoods/biosafety cabinets/MSCs inspections in date?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are chemical fume hoods/biosafety cabinets/MSCs functioning properly?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do students and staff have access to the Shield remote reporting form?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are students and staff aware of how to record any accidents with injuries, incidents without injuries and hazards?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all accidents with injuries, incidents without injuries and hazards reported on Shield?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

• INSPECTOR SIGNATURE

  Sign