Laboratory Inspection Checklist

Statutory safety signs and notices clearly displayed

Chemical hazard signage

Training records kept & up to date

ALL those working with chemicals have completed the University Chemical Safety Course

Emergency Contact Numbers displayed and up-to-date?

Fire doors maintained, kept clear and not wedged open?

Fire extinguishers/blankets in designated place, visible and unobstructed?

Safety shower/eyewash clearly visible and unobstructed?

Eye wash bottles in date?

Spill control materials readily available and personnel familiar with how to use them?

Laboratory Phone working?

Walkways and floor area clear and uncluttered and free of trip hazards?

Work areas tidy and free from obstructions, excess storage, clutter?

Work areas free of visible contamination?

Storage above eye level minimised?

Shelves accessible, properly loaded?

Handwash facilities available and free from contamination?

All portable electrical equipment tested?

No trailing cables or overloaded multi-plug adapters?

All electrical equipment places so as to avoid risk of damage?

All fridges/freezers are spark-free. If not, they are labelled e.g., 'No Flammables'?

All chemical containers stored correctly (e.g., not stored upside down or with incompatible materials)?

Fridges/freezers not in need of defrosting?

DEFRA licensed materials correctly stored and labelled?

Sticky mats still sticky?

Biological waste appropriately segregated from non-biological waste?

Bins not overflowing?

Acids stored in acid cabinets?

All chemical storage cabinets bunded/spill trays used?

Flammable liquids stored in approved fire-resistant cabinets?

Flammable liquid stored in a single laboratory is not in excess of 50 litres unless 90-minute fire resistant cabinets to BS14470-1 are used?

Minimum quantity of flammable liquid stored on bench (500ml per container maximum)?

Winchester bottle carriers and similar available for transporting hazardous chemicals between work areas?

Chemical waste not allowed to accumulate?

Chemical containers in good condition (not cracking, rusting, labels intact)?

All extraction systems inspected and tested in the last 14 months (COSHH)?

Operating correctly?

Interior clear of clutter?

Large pieces of equipment raised on short legs?

Procedures conducted at least 150mm inside sash?

PPE available and in-use as appropriate?

Respirators 'Face Fit Tested' in accordance with COSHH?

Reusable respirators routinely inspected and checked and stored appropriately?

Are compressed gases used or stored in area (HSD032C / HSD121C)?

Cylinders stored upright and properly secured at all times

Correct regulators used for type of gas and pressure used (both cylinder and delivery pressures)

Regulators ‘in-date’, checked and display current valid test label

Cylinders clearly labelled

Empty and ‘not-in-use’ cylinders promptly removed from lab

Flammable gases separated from oxidising gases

Pipe work in good condition and appropriate for the gas in use

All ancillary equipment / safety devices tested and ‘in-date’

Are cryogens / cryogen derived gases used or stored in area i.e.liquid nitrogen, liquid helium, liquid carbon dioxide, dry ice etc. (HSD053C)?

Appropriate PPE available to handle cryogens?

Oxygen depletion monitoring necessary for foreseeable helium and/or nitrogen releases?

Carbon dioxide monitoring necessary for foreseeable releases?

Monitors are functional, tested and calibrated?

Monitors in the correct locations for the gases that could be released?

Alarms audible / visible from outside the area at entrances?

Appropriate warning signs both in the area and at entrances to it?

Radiation area available in lab?

Evidence of regular inspections carried out by the RPS

Evidence of training to use areas separate from this lab?

Evidence of use and disposal logs being completed (where appropriate)?

All stocks of isotopes accounted for?