Information

  • Principal Investigator/ Room Number

  • Department

  • Building

  • Conducted on

  • Document No.

I. General

A. Signs and Postings

  • Is an Emergency Information Poster posted?

  • Please obtain and complete an EIP template from www.princeton.edu/sites/ehs/emergency/eip.htm or contact Joan Hutzly at 609-258-6251.

  • Is the information on the EIP correct?

  • Is the EIP complete?

  • Was the EIP reviewed within the last 6 months

  • EIP's are required to be reviewed and signed every 6 months and replaced every two years or when there are significant hazardous materials or room layout changes.

  • Is an up to date version of the EIP used?

  • Please obtain and complete an EIP template from www.princeton.edu/sites/ehs/emergency/eip.htm or contact Joan Hutzly at 609-258-6251.

  • Is there appropriate hazard signage outside the door?

  • Select hazards.

  • Laboratories that contain Infectious agents, lasers, and radiation sources and high voltage sources require signage to be posted outside the entryway.

  • Is the Emergency Response Guidelines booklet available or posted.

  • Photos

  • Comments

B. General Workplace

  • Is there an telephone in service?

  • Is the phone labeled with a 911 sticker?

  • Are work areas illuminated?

  • Are hand washing facilities present?

  • Is there soap present and hand towels available?

  • Are wet surfaces covered with non-slip material?

  • Are heavy items stored on lower shelves?

  • Are there means available to reach items stored above shoulder level?

  • Are circuit breaker panels in the room?

  • Is there 36 inch clearance to circuit breaker panel?

  • International Fire Code NJ Edition 2006 requires a minimum workspace of not less than 30 inches in width, 36 inches in depth and 78 inches in height be provided in front of electrical service equipment.

  • Are aisles and egress pathways clear?

  • International Fire Code NJ Edition 2006 requires that rooms serving occupancies of greater than 50 have 44 inch wide clearance for aisles and 36 inches clearance for aisles for occupancies serving 50 or less.

  • Are fire doors closed and not blocked or wedged open?

  • International Fire Code NJ Edition 2006 requires that fire doors and smoke barrier doors not be blocked or obstructed or otherwise made inoperable. Door stops, wedges, and other unapproved hold-open devices are prohibited.

  • Is there a sprinkler system within the room?

  • Is the clearance from sprinkler head at least 18 inches

  • OSHA 29CFR 1910.159(c)(10) states, "The minimum vertical clearance between sprinklers and material below shall be 18 inches."

  • Is the Clearance from the ceiling at least 24 inches?

  • International Fire Code NJ Edition 2006 requires that storage be maintained 24" or more below the ceiling in nonsprinklered areas of buildings.

  • There is no evidence of food or drink in the experimental area.

  • Is the use and storage of BSL or radioactive materials absent in the lab?

  • The CDC and Princeton University's Radiation Safety Committee require that no eating, drinking, smoking, handling contact lenses, applying cosmetics, and storing food for human consumption be permitted in BSL and radiation laboratory areas respectively.

  • Is the storage of combustible materials minimized?

  • Is the use of mercury containing articles minimized?

  • Princeton University EHS encourages the substitution for mercury containing devices with non-mercury containing alternatives to prevent potential exposure. Please contact Kyle Angjelo at 609-258-2711 or reference the EHS website at www.princeton.edu/sites/ehs/chemwaste/mercury.htm.

  • List Mercury containing articles:

  • Use of equipment and articles that contain elemental mercury should be replaced with alternative equipment and articles where there are suitable replacements. ex. thermometers, barometers.

  • Photos

  • Comments:

C. Emergency Equipment

  • Is a fire extinguisher in the room or in close proximity?

  • OSHA 29CFR 1910.157 requires that portable fire extinguishers be provided at 75ft or less for Class A fire hazards, 50ft or less for Class B fire hazards, appropriately placed based on already placed Class A and B extinguishers for Class C hazards, and 75 ft or less for Class D fire hazards. Please contact Facilities at 609-258-8000 or www.princeton.edu/facilities to obtain an appropriate fire extinguisher.

  • Is the extinguisher fully charged?

  • Please contact Facilities at 609-258-8000 or www.princeton.edu/facilities to have the extinguisher recharged immediately.

  • Is the extinguisher easily accessible?

  • International Fire Code NJ Edition 2006 requires portable fire extinguishers to be unobstructed and unobscured from view.

  • Is the fire extinguisher tamper indicator in place?

  • Please contact Facilities at 609-258-8000 or go to www.princeton.edu/facilities to have a fire extinguisher tamper inserted.

  • Has the extinguisher been inspected within the last 30 days?

  • International Fire Code NJ Edition 2006 references NFPA 10 which requires 30 day inspections of portable fire extinguishers. Please contact facilities at 609-258-8000 or www.princeton.edu/facilities to perform an inspection.

  • Has the extinguisher had an annual maintenance check within the last 12 months?

  • OSHA 29CFR 1910.157(e)(3) requires that portable fire extinguishers are subjected to an annual maintenance check. Please contact Facilities at 609-258-8000 or www.princeton.edu/facilities to perform the check.

  • Is a safety shower within 100ft or 10 second travel distance from experimental areas?

  • Please contact Kyle Angjelo at EHS to evaluate the laboratory space at 609-258-2711 or kangjelo@princeton.edu.

  • Has the safety shower been inspected within the last 12 months?

  • Please contact Facilities at 609-258-8000 or www.princeton.edu/facilities to inspect the safety shower.

  • Is the safety shower accessible and unobstructed?

  • Is an eyewash station within 100ft or 10 second travel distance from experimental areas?

  • Please contact Kyle Angjelo to evaluate the laboratory space at 609-258-2711 or kangjelo@princeton.edu.

  • Has the eyewash been inspected within the last 12 months?

  • Please contact Facilities at 609-258-8000 or www.princeton.edu/facilities to inspect the eyewash station.

  • Is the eyewash station accessible and unobstructed?

  • Photos

  • Comments:

II. Equipment and Refrigerators

A. Refrigerators, Freezers, and Ice Machines

  • Does the lab contain or utilize any refrigerators, freezers, ice machines, or cold rooms?

  • Is there a refrigerator or freezer in the room?

  • Are the refrigerators/freezers intended for food?

  • Do the refrigerators/freezers contain only food?

  • Are the refrigerators/freezers clearly labeled only for food?

  • Refrigerators and freezers require signage indicating food or chemical use. Please contact Kyle Angjelo at 609-258-2711 or kangjelo@princeton.edu to obtain the appropriate sign.

  • Are the refrigerators/freezers intended for chemical use?

  • Do the refrigerators/freezers contain only chemicals?

  • Are the refrigerators/freezers clearly labeled only for chemicals?

  • Refrigerators and freezers require signage indicating food or chemical use. Please contact Kyle Angjelo at 609-258-2711 or kangjelo@princeton.edu to obtain the appropriate sign.

  • Do the refrigerators/freezers contain any flammable chemicals?

  • Are the refrigerators/freezers approved and labeled flammable storage refrigerators/freezers?

  • Flammable liquids are not permitted to be stored in non flame-rated refrigerators/freezers due to ignition and explosion hazards. Please remove all flammable liquids from unapproved refrigerators/freezers.

  • Are the ice machines labeled "Not for consumption."

  • Ice machines intended for use in laboratories require signage that indicate "Not for consumption." Please contact Kyle Angjelo at 609-258-2711 and kangjelo@princeton.edu to obtain the appropriate sign.

  • Is there a cold room associated with the lab?

  • Is there an interior latch to release trapped inhabitants?

  • Please contact EHS at 609-258-5294 to review the safety features of the cold room door.

  • Photos

  • Comments:

B. Fume Hoods

  • Is there a fume hood in the laboratory?

  • Are the fume hood vents/baffles unobstructed?

  • Is chemical storage limited in actively used hoods?

  • Is the fume hood sticker displayed?

  • Is the hood certification within 12 months?

  • Is the hood operating within specifications?

  • Are the fume hood alarms and gauges functional?

  • Is the sash resting at an acceptable height?

  • Photos

  • Comments:

C. Other Engineering Controls

  • Are other engineering controls used?

  • Select engineering control.

  • Engineering control
  • Does the engineering control require certification?

  • Is the engineering control inspected and certified appropriately.

  • Is the engineering control labeled for type of use?

  • Is the engineering control operating properly?

  • Is the engineering control utilized properly?

  • Photos

  • Comments:

III. Chemicals

A. Higher Risk Chemicals

  • Are any OSHA Particularly Hazardous Substances used in the lab?

  • Are the hazards, controls, and disposal procedures documented?

  • Is a PHS sign posted in the work area?

  • Pyrophorics present in the lab?

  • List pyrophorics.

  • Are SOP's are utilized?

  • Is the available PPE is adequate for the hazard?

  • Water Reactives present in the lab?

  • Are water reactive chemicals stored properly?

  • Peroxide-forming chemicals present in the lab?

  • Is the container in good condition?

  • Is the chemical within its expiration date?

  • Is the chemical labeled with the date received and opened?

  • Hydrofluoric Acid present in the lab?

  • Is calcium gluconate gel available?

  • Is the calcium gluconate gel within the expiration date?

  • Phenol present in the lab?

  • Is a phenol spill kit or PEG available?

  • Is the PEG within expiration date?

  • Is nitric oxide used in the lab?

  • Note quantity used or stored.

  • Highly acutely toxic chemicals present in the lab?

  • Are SOP's utilities when working with highly toxic substances?

  • Are proper precautions, including PPE, utilized when working with highly toxic chemicals?

  • Photos

  • Comments:

B. Chemical Storage

  • Are chemicals present in the lab?

  • Are shelving and materials adequate for loads imposed and material stored?

  • Are large/heavy containers stored on lower shelves?

  • Are chemical storage cabinets properly labeled?

  • Are all chemicals labeled properly?

  • Are containers closed when not in use?

  • Are chemicals stored in compatible containers?

  • Are chemical containers in good condition?

  • Are incompatible chemicals segregated

  • Are chemicals stored on the floor in secondary containment?

  • Are chemicals stored near the sink in secondary containment?

  • Are secondary containers used during transportation of more than one pint of chemicals?

  • Are materials with shelf lives dated and disposed of per supplier's recommendations?

  • Flammable Chemicals present in the lab?

  • Is storage limited to 10 gallons outside of a flammable storage cabinet?

  • Are flammable chemicals stored away from ignition sources?

  • Are flammable liquids used in a fume hood or well-ventilated area?

  • Corrosives and present in the Lab?

  • Are corrosives stored below eye level?

  • Are corrosives stored in an appropriate cabinet?

  • Is appropriate PPE available?

  • Photos

  • Comments:

C. Hazardous Waste

  • Is hazardous waste generated in the lab?

  • Is there hazardous waste collection and accumulation?

  • Is hazardous waste labeled with words "Hazardous Waste?"

  • Is the hazardous waste label legible?

  • Does the label show the waste contents?

  • Is hazardous waste stored at or near the point of generation?

  • Are hazardous waste containers closed except during transfers?

  • Are incompatible wastes collected and stored separately?

  • Are hazardous waste containers stored near sinks or drains stored in secondary containment?

  • Is hazardous waste storage below 55 gallon threshold quantity

  • Is acutely hazardous waste less than one quart in storage?

  • Are there empty used glass chemical bottles?

  • Are the labels scratched out?

  • A the bottles labeled with the word "empty?"

  • Are empty glass bottles managed and recycled properly?

  • Does the label show the waste contents?

  • Photos

  • Comments:

IV. Electrical Safety

  • Do outlets and switches have cover plates?

  • Is there no exposed electrical conductors of 50 volts or more?

  • Are flexible cords in good condition?

  • Do hanging outlets have strain protection?

  • Cords are not hanging over lighting or sharp edges?<br>

  • Are multi-plug strips used.

  • Is there overload protection on multi-plug strips?

  • No extension cords used?

  • Are machine/instrument access panels in place?

  • Are electrical elements properly shielded or guarded?

  • Are guards/covers used for electrophoresis devices?

  • Are ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) used for wet/exterior use?

  • Photos

  • Comments:

V. Compressed gases and cryogenics

A. Compressed Gases

  • Are compressed gas cylinders present in the lab?<br>

  • Are cylinders secured properly?

  • Are cylinders stored with the cap in place?

  • Cylinders in storage must be stored with the cylinder cap in place. Cylinders may only be left with the regulator in place if the cylinder is "in use." "In use" cylinders are cylinders that are constantly in operation, cylinders where the main valve remains open but the flow is controlled by a solenoid, or cylinders that are intended to be in operation within 24 hours.

  • Are appropriate lines are used?

  • Are incompatible gases segregated?

  • Are compressed gases used in a well-ventilated area?

  • Is a cylinder cart used for transportation?

  • Are toxic, corrosive, flammable or pyrophoric gases used or stored?

  • Select gas cylinder size.

  • Is the cylinder in a gas cabinet?

  • Is there a gas monitoring system?

  • Is the gas used in a fume hood?

  • Photos

  • Comments:

B. Cryogenic Liquids

  • Are cryogenic liquids used?

  • Is there adequate ventilation for use and dispensing?

  • Are appropriate containers used to transport and store the material?

  • Are containers vented or are pressure relief devices provided?

  • Is a face shield available?

  • Are cryogenic protective gloves available?

  • Are glass dewars present in the laboratory?<br>

  • Are the glass dewars shielded?

  • If cryogenic glass dewars are being used as part of a permanent set-up, the user should be protected from potential glass shards from a breaking dewar by blast shields or fume hood sash.

  • Comments:

VI. Other Hazards

  • Is there biological, laser, radiation, high voltage, or other lab hazards present?

  • Select lab hazards present.

  • Photos

  • Comments:

VII. Personal Protective Equipment

  • Are laboratory workers wearing long pants and closed-toed shoes?

  • Is eye and face protection available where it is needed?

  • Are there departmental or laboratory PPE requirements?

  • Enter required PPE

  • PPE
  • Enter required PPE.

  • Is there respirator use in the lab?

  • Are the appropriate respirator/cartridges used?

  • Are the users enrolled in the respiratory protection program?

  • Is self-contained breathing apparatus inspected if present?

  • Are there any workers performing duties in the lab at the time of the inspection?

  • Are laboratory workers wearing the minimum PPE required?

  • Is Additional PPE recommended by the inspector?

  • List recommended PPE.

  • Is adequate PPE worn?

  • Comments:

VIII. Interview Points

A. Security

  • Do doors and windows to the lab operate, close and lock properly.

  • Are alarm systems are operating properly?

  • Are keys and access cards kept in a secure area, out of sight?

  • Are security and controls in place where required for select materials?

  • Do lab workers question unfamiliar visitors in the lab?

  • Do lab workers know to report unusual or suspicious conditions and security incidents to Public Safety?

B. Training

  • Have workers attended Laboratory Safety Training?

  • Have workers attended Emergency Action Plan Training

  • Have workers attended laboratory specific training?

  • Is training (both EHS and departmental) documented?

C. Awareness

  • Do laboratory workers know...

  • what to do in the event of an emergency, such as fire or injury, including evacuation routes?

  • how to clean up chemical spills?

  • the location/contents of the Chemical Hygeine Plan?

  • the Chemical Hygiene Officer and Safety Manager for the department

  • what an SDS is and where to find them and other information?

  • what type of personal protective equipment to use and when to use it?

  • what to do with chemical waste?

  • what the most hazardous materials are used in the lab and what precautions to take

  • if any of the materials used in the lab are carcinogens, highly toxic agents, or reproductive toxins. If so, has a prior approval form been completed?

  • where and how to use emergency equipment, such as safety showers and eyewash stations?

D. Shipping and Dangerous Goods Procurement

  • Does the laboratory ship flammable, corrosive, toxic, or material otherwise regulated for transport?

  • Is EHS contacted and the Dangerous Good Shipping form used?

  • Is the worker's Dry Ice Shipper Training up to date?

  • Are hazardous chemicals obtained from external departmental stockrooms?

  • Is container protection used for transportation of the chemical?

  • Does the route back cross any public roads?

  • Is an vehicle compliant with DOT regulations used for the transportation?

E. Assessment

  • Are there any safety concerns?

  • Do workers feel they have support for working safely in the lab?

  • Is safety discussed during lab meetings?

  • Comments:

Signature

  • Please sign upon audit completion.

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