Macquarie University: Laboratory Inspections 2023

• Conducted on

  Date

• Prepared by

• Faculty/Office

• Department/Unit

• Location/Building

• Floor Number

• Room Number

• Staff Present

• Local area inductions are conducted, and records of these are available on request

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• <br>Is there a logbook for training on specific equipment?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• <br>Have any new hazards or equipment been introduced that should be added to the Hazard Risk Register?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Signage is displayed on the entrance to the lab showing safety symbols, PPE requirements, storage precautions and hazards

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• <br>Placarding is displayed where quantities of dangerous goods reach placard levels

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Emergency exit doors and thoroughfare clear from obstructions and clearly marked and visible (and can be opened from inside in an emergency situation)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Exit signs in place and illuminated

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Emergency alarms can be heard in the area

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Emergency numbers displayed and current

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• First Aid Kit available, accessible (within 5 minutes) and serviced regularly

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Names and numbers of First Aid officers displayed and current

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Spill kits available, complete and adequate for the lab

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Fire extinguishers and Fire blanket available (where required) easy to locate, un-obstructed, suitable for use and with instructions intact

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Fire extinguishers externally inspected & tagged within 6 months

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Safety Shower accessible and tested weekly (serviced within last 12 month- check tag)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Eye wash station accessible and tested weekly (serviced within last 12 month- check tag)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Safety documentation is stored and accessible to users e.g SWI's SOP's. risk assessment, lab safety manual.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Research Project Safety management plans in place and approved

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All hazards, near-miss and incidents are reported (Supervisor, Laboratory manager and ROAR).

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• People comply with the After Hours Work Alone guidelines.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Hand wash facilities are available, consumables are being replenished (soap and paper towel).

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Washing facilities for cleaning labware are clean and functional (no evidence of chemical erosion)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Housekeeping is appropriate (no clutter on floor, benches, cupboards, fume hood, sinks and fridge/freezers). Periodic cleans of fridge/freezers and DG cabinets/storage cupboards and shelving is evident.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Benches, chairs are safe and in good condition.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Area free from pests or evidence thereof

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Floors are clean, have even surfaces and are free from slip and trip hazards

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Walkways clear of unprotected cables, electrical cords, furniture, boxes or other clutter and trip hazards.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• There is adequate light and room ventilation for the work conducted.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Lighting is in working order.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ambient temperature is suitable for work environment.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ceilings in good condition and free of visible contaminants (dust, mould).

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Frequently used items are within easy reach for repetitive tasks.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The work area is ergonomically setup (e.g prevent undue twisting, clearance for legs at seated workstations.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Chair of appropriate height (seat and backrest height adjustable) is provided at the workbench where sitting/standing work is performed.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Heavy/awkward objects are stored between knee and shoulder height.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Only light weight items are stored above reaching height and compliant step ladder is available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Correct MH techniques/equipment are used for lifting heavy/awkward or unstable items

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Power points, light fittings and switches are in a safe place and free of obvious defects.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Equipment, power tools, extension leads, and power boards maintained in a safe operating condition.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Power leads and boards laid out and located in a safe position to prevent mechanical or other damage & to not create a trip hazard?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Power boards and extension leads are not double stacked or used as permanent wiring i.e adequate number of power outlets are available.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All power boards are fitted with overload protection and double adaptors are prohibited.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Electrical items are tested, tagged and in date

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Power outlets are labelled with circuit breaker details or clearly marked as non-RCD protected.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• UPS and 3 Phase outlets appropriately identified.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are high-voltage sources adequately protected? (high-voltage sources being above 1000Vac and 1500Vdc)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Water supplies are sufficiently separated from electrical equipment

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Adapters are not being used to to convert international standard electrical plugs.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate PPE provided and being worn by lab workers

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Lab personnel have been trained in location, correct use, maintenance and storage of PPE

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• PPE is maintained and in good condition

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Correct gloves are being used for the procedure(s) where required

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Where equipment service intervals are determined by hours of use a log book is available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Warning signs/safe operating instructions are near equipment?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Safety guards are in place on mechanical equipment, where required

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Maintenance schedule for medium-high risk equipment established and records available and up to date

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Emergency stop buttons clearly visible and unobstructed.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Vacuum bell jars are covered by an impact resistant shields

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Microwave ovens are positioned at bench height and have warning sign "No Schott bottles or sealed lids", and are not modified from the manufacturers specifications.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Warning signs are in place if high magnetic fields are generated (>0.1mT). Safe distance clearly marked.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Noise level is acceptable/adequately controlled, or ear protection used

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Unsafe equipment is suitably labelled as "Out of Service", and repair or disposal planned

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are chemicals used in this lab?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Chemical Safety data sheets (SDS) are (< 5 years old) are accessible for all hazardous chemicals stored or used in the lab.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• An up-to-date inventory of laboratory chemicals is available in Jaggaer.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• A hazardous chemical risk assessment has been completed by each user, for each chemical and each task/process they perform.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Chemicals labelled correctly and clearly in accordance with GHS requirements. Refer to Best Practice Chemical Labelling Guidelines

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Lab users know the chemical emergency procedures, including using spill kit and emergency procedures

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Correct containers are being used to store chemicals

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Hazardous chemicals are stored according to Dangerous Goods class and incompatibility rules and within approved cabinets where required

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The load of chemicals stored in the laboratory is within maximum permissible limits for all classes of chemicals

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Schedule 4 prescription medicine,Schedule 8 Controlled drugs, 9 Prohibited substances, 10 Prohibited carcinogens are stored securely in locked area and inventory kept

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Dangerous goods cabinet are in good repair

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Bunding or spill tray used for storage of large volumes of liquids (>2 litres) and segregated for all drains

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Refrigerators/Freezers are suitably labelled (e.g. No Food or Drink or No Flammables)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Only intrinsically safe refrigerators are used to store flammable materials (certified spark proof)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Flash point of chemicals is checked before storage in a freezer. Intrinsically safe freezer used where required.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Safe decanting procedures are in place

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Winchesters, glass bottles and residue containers are transported using carriers or approved chemical transport trolley

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate, segregated and labelled chemical waste disposal containers are being used (plastic, no more than 10L, 5L for flammables)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Broken glass bin being used and disposed of properly

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Sharps bin being used and disposed of properly

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Biological waste bin emptied regularly, and waste disposed of properly

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Procedures for chemical waste disposal known and available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a fume cupboard in this lab?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Fume cupboards regularly inspected and certified within the last 6 months

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Fume cupboards kept clear of unnecessary items including combustible and flammable materials and clutter.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Unattended “experiments in progress” labelled and procedures outlined for emergency preparedness

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there compressed gas cyclinders in this lab?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All gas risk assessments have been completed and approved

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Cylinders secured by appropriate brackets and chains

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Regulators checked regularly, are < 5 years old and staff trained in use

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Cylinders regularly checked for rust,damage, leaks and use-by date

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Cylinder trolley used to transport cylinders

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Gas monitor(s) where required are tested and serviced regularly

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are cryogenic liquids used in this lab?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Risk assessments completed

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate storage dewars used (no glass or plastic) and PPE available and used for cryogenic liquids

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Cryogenic liquid storage area large and well ventilated

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Procedures in place to prevent people travelling in lifts with dewars

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is biological work carried out in this lab?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All biological work is approved by the Institutional Biosatety Committee (IBC)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate warning signs in use

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Work surfaces are decontaminated after use

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Biological samples are labelled and stored correctly

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Biological Safety cabinets and laminar flow hoods are left clear between uses

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Biological Safety Cabinets and Laminar flow hoods are certified annually

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there ionising radation sources in this lab?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate monitoring equipment readily available or appropriate monitoring procedures in place

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Adequate and sufficient shielding / interlocks and signage provided

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Where radioactive waste is generated, radioactive waste/storage procedures are in place and adhered to

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Work surfaces cleaned and monitored after use of radioisotopes

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Licence requirements for the work verified with the radiation safety officer

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Lab users know the radiation emergency procedures

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there lasers used in this lab?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate signage on the lab/room door, highest class and full wavelength range of lasers)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All class 3B and 4 lasers registered with LSO (via OneHelp) and laser asset number sticker clearly visible

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Laser products are labelled with class, wavelength and precautions information, and laser apertures are indicated with labels.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there embedded class 3B or 4 laser systems in this lab?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Safety interlock system operational (with no bypass) for embedded systems

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Safety procedures are in place for maintenance or servicing of embedded laser systems

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there non-embedded class 3B or 3 laser systems in this lab?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All lab users have completed a laser project risk assessment for each laser they operate

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Each door has an interlock system that is connected to all class 3B or 4 lasers

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Wavelength-specific eye protection is available, in good condition, and stored adequately

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Beam management is appropriate, e.g. no direct beam paths to doors or windows, enclosures used to contain beam where possible, and beam blocks non-reflective class 3B and 4) and fireproof (class 4)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• There are no horizontal component mounts that could reflect a beam up out of the horizontal plane (without explicit LSO approval)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• No chairs are used that could position the head near laser beam level

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All chemical containers are kept out of the line of sight of the laser.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Bronze Criteria

• Secure access maintained

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Door signage is in place indicating hazards, PPE requirements and emergency contact

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Emergency contacts poster displayed

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All occupants of the lab are using the required PPE

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All aisles and floors are clean and clear of clutter

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• There is no food or drink in the lab

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Bins are not overflowing, where appropriate closed and labelled

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• There is clear access to all emergency equipment and exits and all clearly labelled

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Spill kits are available where required

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Benches are clean and uncluttered

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Chemical labels are in place including on all gas and other piped lines

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Equipment is stored separately to chemicals

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Combustible materials are minimised

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Fume cupboards labelled for use, clean and clear.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Unattended reaction forms on display

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Fume hood sashes down

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Fridges and freezers used correctly, appropriately labelled (no food or drink / intrinsically safe etc)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Electrical equipment and leads are tidy, undamaged, and protected from wetness.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Checklist lab inspection completed on-time

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Authorised users have completed training modules and inducted to the space ​​​​​​

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Risk assessments completed for activities

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Working alone and after-hours process implemented​​​​​​

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ergonomic aspects have been addressed (workstations, equipment placement, storage and access systems)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Silver Criteria (In addition to the above)

• All significant risks and hazards have been assessed and have been minimised or mitigated ​​​​​​​

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Previous inspection recommendations have been adequately addressed

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Academic supervisor of space can demonstrate good knowledge of equipment and key procedures in the lab

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• SOPs and SWIs are available for equipment were required by risk assessment

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Chemical stocktake completed within year of inspection (available via container history in Jaggaer) and SDS available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Power boards are mounted, and unused outlets are covered

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Gold Criteria (In addition to the above)

• Excellent laboratory ‘house-keeping’ with storage, tools, and documentation well-maintained

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Storage and tools are labelled where appropriate

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Academic supervisors of space can demonstrate regular communication with users

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Good working knowledge of the WHS Hub

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Lab meetings involve WHS consultation​​​​​​

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Lab books in order and up to date

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Platinum Criteria

• Attained gold on 2 consecutive inspections

  Yes

  No

  N/A