Monash Workplace Inspection Program: Laboratory Areas

• Audit Title

• Document No.

• Client / Site

• Conducted on

  Date

• Prepared by

• Location
  Address

• Personnel

3.1 Laboratory facilities (general)

• Access to laboratory is restricted to appropriate personnel

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate PPE is available and in use (minimum PPE includes safety glasses, laboratory coat or gown and closed toe shoes)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Safe work procedures are displayed next to equipment

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Warning signs for radiation, biological or other hazards are prominently posted

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Food and drink are not stored or consumed in laboratories

  Yes

  No

  N/A

3.2 Housekeeping

• Benches only occupied by chemicals/equipment "in use"

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Storage of items on floors is kept to a minimum

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Storage of heavy items above shoulder heights is avoided

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Aisles / exits clear

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Spill kits, supplies and decontamination material are available for the hazards present

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Spill procedures are clearly displayed

  Yes

  No

  N/A

3.3 Waste Management

• All waste is disposed of appropriately

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Hazardous or EPA prescribed wastes contained within bunded areas that do not drain to storm water or sewer

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Hazardous waste is clearly labelled with waste description, biohazard symbols if required and date produced. The waste label Includes the waste generator contact details (name, department/school/unit and contact number) and if the waste has had any on-site treatment or testing

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Wastes are segregated according to hazard, treatment requirements and to optimize recycling opportunities

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Wastes are stored in "fit for purpose" containers that are able to withstand storage conditions and transport

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Wastes are stored at appropriate temperatures

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• There are sufficient and appropriate waste disposal containers

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Wastes are disposed of regularly and volumes are kept to a minimum

  Yes

  No

  N/A

3.4 Electrical equipment

• Laboratory equipment, including cords and leads, are in a good working order

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• There are sufficient general general purpose outlets (GPOs) for the equipment

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Double adapters and piggy-back plugs are not in use

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Extension leads are only used for temporary, short-term power connections

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Power boards with overload protection are used if sufficient GPOs are not available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Fittings are protected against external damage

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Equipment and appliances are earthed or double insulated. Look for the double insulated symbol on the specification plate

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Equipment that may be left on unattended has a manually resetting oven-temperature cut-off switch fitted

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Electrical equipment is tested at appropriate intervals

  Yes

  No

  N/A

3.5 Special equipment

3.5.1 Refrigerators / freezers / cool rooms

• Refrigerators, freezers, cool rooms are appropriately labelled (eg intrinsically safe)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Freezers and cool rooms have well maintained emergency door releases

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Flammable liquids are only stored in fridge/freezers that are intrinsically safe

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Seals on doors are in good condition

  Yes

  No

  N/A

3.5.2 Fume cupboards

• Fume cupboards are appropriate for the type of hazard (ie radiation, biological, etc)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The fume cupboard is used with the sash at or below the recommended height

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The leading edge of the fume cupboard is clear of equipment and other items

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The area behind the main work area is clear

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The fume cupboard is free of clutter and large equipment

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The doors and windows within 1m of the cupboard are closed whe the cupboard is used

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Emergency switches are clearly identified for power and gas supply

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The fume cupboard has been inspected and certified within the last 12 months

  Yes

  No

  N/A

3.5.3 Biosafety cabinets

• The Biosafety cabinet is clean and free of clutter ( ie routine cleaning performed recently)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The Biosafety cabinet has been inspected and certified within the past 12 months

  Yes

  No

  N/A

3.6 Chemicals (general)

3.6.1 Chemical management

• A register of chemicals is available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• MSDS are available for chemicals

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Documented risk assessments are available for chemical use

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Carriers are available for large containers (>2L)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Unattended reactions are clearly labelled

  Yes

  No

  N/A

3.6.2 Labelling of chemicals

• Chemicals in use or storage labelled clearly and unambiguously

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All reused containers have label removed or completely covered

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Decanted chemicals are labelled

  Yes

  No

  N/A

3.6.3 Chemical storage

3.6.3.1 Storage on open shelves

• All containers are <5kg or 5L

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• On shelves >1.5m high all glass containers are <1kg or 1L

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The shelving is chemically resistant to the chemicals stored

  Yes

  No

  N/A

3.6.3.2 Storage in fire-proof cabinets

• All containers in cabinets are <25 L in size

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The self-closing mechanisms of the door are operating correctly

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Incompatible chemicals stored in the same cabinet have separate spill containers

  Yes

  No

  N/A

3.6.3.2 Storage in ventilated cupboards

• All containers in cupboard are <2 kg or 25L in size

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Incompatible chemicals stored in the same cabinet have separate spill containment

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ventilation is sufficient to prevent build up of offensive odors

  Yes

  No

  N/A

3.7 Chemicals (specific)

3.7.1 Compressed & fuel gases

• All the cylinders inside the room are connected for use (ie no laboratory storage)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Gas cylinders are each securely chained with individual chains secured around the body of the cylinder and the chain ends attached to 2 separate securing points

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Cylinders, pipes & valves are protected from mechanical damage

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Strength of hoses and clamps attached to gas cylinder regulators are sufficient for maximum regulator delivery pressure

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Flashback arresters are used I fuel gas supply lines

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Non-return (check) valves are fitted to all processes that exceed cylinder pressure

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• There is a cylinder trolley available for carrying cylinders

  Yes

  No

  N/A

3.7.1 Cryogenic lquids

• Cryogenic liquids are located In well ventilated areas

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Containers used for cryogenic liquids are designed for that purpose

  Yes

  No

  N/A

3.8 Biological hazards

• Documented risk assessments for use of biological hazards are available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Laboratory doors are closed when work is in progress

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Hand washing facilities are available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Biological material are clearly labelled, dated and appropriately stored

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate disinfectants are available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate waste handling procedures are in place (autoclaving, disinfecting etc)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Biohazardous wastes and sharps bins are provided, where necessary

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Separate facilities are provided for animal storage, cleaning, examination etc.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• No items are stored on the floor

  Yes

  No

  N/A

3.9 Ionising radiation hazards

3.9.1 unsealed sources

• Documentmented risk assessments and safe work procedures for use of ionizing radiation are available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Work surfaces are impervious (wooden benches and tiled surfaces are unsuitable)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Hand washing facilities are available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate shielding material is available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Secondary containment is available and utilized (ie spill trays)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All sources of ionizing radiation are labelled and stored in secure locations

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All storage locations of ionizing radiation are labelled

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate monitoring equipment is available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Decontamination/emergency procedures are clearly displayed

  Yes

  No

  N/A

3.9.2 sealed sources

• Documentmented risk assessments and safe work procedures for use of ionizing radiation are available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate shielding material is available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Hand washing facilities are available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All sources of ionizing radiation are labelled and stored in secure locations

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All sources of ionizing radiation are labelled and stored in secure locations

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All storage locations of ionizing radiation are labelled

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate monitoring equipment is available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Sealed radiation sources are maintained in good condition

  Yes

  No

  N/A

3.9.2 x-ray apparatus or sealed apparatus

• Documentmented risk assessments and safe work procedures for use of ionizing radiation are available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate shielding material is available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate monitoring equipment is available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate fail-safe devices to prevent accidental exposure are in place

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate Labelling (including registration labels) are in place

  Yes

  No

  N/A

3.10 Ultraviolet radiation

• Appropriate shielding &/or interlocks are in place (eg interlocks on germicidal lamps; and protective shields on transilluminators)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate PPE is available (ie additional skin and eye protection may be required

  Yes

  No

  N/A

3.11 Lasers

• Access to Class 3 and Class 4 lasers is controlled

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Beam stops are installed and access to the beam is restricted

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Aopropriate fail-safe devices to prevent accidental exposure are in place

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Documented risk assessments and safe work procedures for use of lasers are available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Warning signs are clearly displayed

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Wavelength-specific eye protection is available for laser operators

  Yes

  No

  N/A

3.12 Environmental issues

• Chemical containers are cleaned prior to Recycling or disposal<br>- triple rinsed with labels and lids removed before placement in the bottle and can recycling bins<br>- containers with oily or persistent residues are washed with detergent and labels removed before placing in the bottle and can recycling bins

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contaminated glassware that is not cleaned as above is treated as prescribed industrial waste

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ther is no evidence of incorrect disposal down sinks, staining, odorous sinks etc

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• There are no odours, dust or smoke in area

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All service areas, where chemicals are used and silenced or where wastes are stored are suitably bunded/protected from leakage into storm water or sewer drains

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All electrical equipment, including computers. Are switched off when appropriate

  Yes

  No

  N/A