NSU Lab Inspections

Title Page

Documentation

Emergency door card present with NFPA fire diamond, cautions signs and up to date.
Emergency contact number(s) of PI and other laboratory members provided to Department Manager.
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Chemical/Biological Hygiene Plan readily available.
Laboratory's chemical inventory available and updated annually.
Employees trained in the OSHA Lab Safety Standard and lab specific hazards associated with lab.
Training records available.

Laboratory doors closed, unless held open using automatic release device.
Entry/exit pathways free of debris, waste, spills, excess supplies, unobstructed and free of trip hazards.
Laboratory furniture suitable, and can be wiped clean (no cloth).
Working surfaces free of debris, waste, spills, excess supplies or other tripping hazards.
Food, drink, or cosmetic items are not stored or used in the laboratory
Glass and other "sharps" disposed of in puncture resistant containers.
Out of service equipment clearly marked inoperable and awaiting disposal or repair.

Eyewash stations operational, inspected, and flushed weekly.
Safety shower not obstructed and has been tested within the past six months.
Eyewashes, emergency showers, fire extinguishers, and electrical control panels accessible and unobstructed.
Sprinkler heads free from obstructions. Equipment, supplies, and furniture shall not be place within 18 inches radius of ceiling/sprinkler heads.
Fire extinguishers fully charged, wall mounted, contain designated sign, and have been inspected within the last year.
First aid kit present. accessible and adequately supplied.
Emergency exit and floor maps posted.
Chemical spill kit readily available and adequate for the work being performed.
Non explosion proof refrigerators/freezers labeled with a “Do Not Store Flammable Chemicals” sticker.
Emergency phone available with the emergency phone numbers posted.

All chemicals stored according to compatibility (flammable, corrosive, toxic or reactive).
Containers labeled to identify contents and any applicable hazard warnings.
Stored chemical containers kept closed, not leaking and in good condition.
Containers kept closed except during transfer.
Flammable liquids stored in flammable cabinets, away from sources of heat, direct sunlight and ignition sources?
Does the flammable storage cabinet contains sign “Flammable Keep Fire Away”?

Lab coats required by all personnel when a chemical hazard exists.
Reusable PPE maintained and stored in clean and serviceable condition.
Safety glasses/splash goggles required to be worn by everyone in the laboratory when a splash hazard exists.
Opened toed shoes prohibited in the laboratory.
Personal protective equipment and commercial lab coat laundering services provided to lab personnel.

Fume hoods annually certified and labeled with a current inspection sticker.
Fume hoods equipped with a device in order to ascertain the operational status of the chemical fume hood.
Chemical fume hoods kept clean and not used for storage of equipment or chemicals.
Chemical fume hood sash at or below the certified height level.

Access to the lab limited.
Biological safety cabinet have current certification.
Needles and sharps disposed of in rigid, puncture-resistant, leak-proof containers.
Bloodborne Pathogen Training attended annually by researchers working with blood, specimens, and/or cells.
Chairs covered with a non-fabric material that can easily be decontaminated.
Sharps containers not over full (3/4).
Procedures involving the manipulation of infectious materials that may generate an aerosol are conducted within a Biosafety Cabinet or other physical containment devices.
Autoclave checked monthly with a spore test and autoclave indicator tape placed in bag center before autoclaving.
Materials to be decontaminated outside of the immediate laboratory placed in a durable, leak proof container and secured for transport.
Biowaste Containers labeled with the biohazard symbols.