Technical Services Health Laboratory, Workshop and Chemical Stores Inspection

• Document No.

• Audit Title

• Type the following in the section: Griffith University Gold Coast Campus

• Conducted on

  Date

• Prepared by

• Location
  Address

• Personnel

Laboratory, Workshop and Chemical Stores Safety Inspection Checklist

• When looking for hazards you should consider the interaction between the:
  - work environment
  - plant, equipment or substances
  - work practices
  - individuals involved

• Workplace inspections are a way of identifying hazards in the workplace. Inspections also provide a system to monitor whether the risks associated with the hazards are adequately controlled. All sections must conduct a thorough workplace inspection at least once a year. Workplaces that include laboratories, workshops or other hazardous work areas should conduct them more regularly. Inspections are a mandatory requirement under the Workplace Health and Safety Act, 1995. Workplace inspections require a systematic approach so as to identify all hazards. Think about splitting the workplace into sections or functional units (such as a room) and talk to staff and students in the area.

For assistance with completing the form contact the Office of Technical Services on your campus.

• Step 1:
  Advise Head of Element/School about the inspection so that they may inform staff in their area of the upcoming inspection.
  
  Step 2:
  Complete inspection findings below.
  (Some items may not be applicable to your area, in which case tick N/A against the relevant items ).

• If the space provided in the Comments and/or Action columns is insufficient please add additional referenced documentation in Section 9 or as an attachment.

• Step 3: Decide on a course of action to deal with any problems that have been identified
  - Prioritise your actions (This may involve completing Risk Assessments to determine priorities)
  - Record priority in the Comments/Priority column
  - Undertake action and record completion of action by inserting a completion date in the Comments/Priority column

• Step 4: Save copy of Audit and forward a copy to the team leader

Section 1 : CHEMICAL SAFETY

A Laboratory Procedures (general)

• Is the ban on eating, drinking and smoking in laboratories enforced?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the ban on mouth pipetting enforced?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are laboratory coats/gowns worn?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is exposure to noise minimised?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are emergency exits left open and clear of obstructions?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the area left tidy?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the area large enough for the work being done?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are student bags located out of accessways?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

B Safety Information

• Is there a register or inventory of chemicals?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are MSDS available for all chemicals?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are chemical containers of the correct type?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

C General Laboratory Storage

• Is there segregation of incompatible classes of chemicals?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are poisons, drugs, carcinogens, corrosives, etc stored separately and where necessary in locked cabinets?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are cabinets used for storage of large quantity chemicals?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all chemical stocks kept to a minimum (ie no excessive storage of stocks)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all storage surfaces compatible with chemicals stored or covered with protective coating?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all containers on open shelves less than 5kg or 5L in size?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all containers in cabinets less than 25L in size?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• For shelves over 1.5m high are all glass containers less than 1kg or 1L?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there no more than one 250 L flammable liquid cabinet per 150m2 of floor space?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is flammable liquid storage well away from exits, heat and ignition sources?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all storage refrigerators spark proof?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

D Chemical Store (not a laboratory/workshop)

• Are all chemicals stored according to compatibility and or license requirements?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all storage refrigerators spark proof?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are cabinets used for storage of large quantity chemicals?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there security/restricted access to storage areas?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are chemicals stored in completely separate storage rooms from gas cylinders?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is fire protection available?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is ventilation sufficient to prevent the buildup of offensive/dangerous odours?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there appropriate secondary containment to prevent the spread of major spills?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

E Prevention

• Is there appropriate ventilation for the types of chemicals in use (eg general exhaust, local exhaust, dust extraction, fume cupboards, glove boxes, etc)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is monitoring carried out where there is the possibility of exceeding chemical exposure limits?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has the need for personal protective equipment been assessed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have the following PPE items been provided?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• (Consider correct selection, location, information & warning signs & maintenance.)

• - Coats/overalls

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• - Eye protection

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• - Gloves

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• - Safety footwear

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• - Respirators etc

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• - Helmets

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• - Hearing protection

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are procedures, absorbents and neutralising agents available in the event of a spill?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

F Hazardous Waste Disposal

• Are there approved methods of disposal for all chemicals?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there sufficient and appropriate waste disposal containers?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

G Training

• Are staff and students aware of procedures in place for the use of high risk chemicals (ie flammable, explosives, cytotoxins, poisons, HF, carcinogens, etc)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are staff/students familiar with spill cleanup requirements for their chemicals?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are staff trained for the use of PPE used in their area?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Section 2: GAS & GAS CYLINDER SAFETY

A In a Storage Facility

• If in storage, are cylinders segregated by hazard, with different hazard classes separated?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are gas storage areas secured and separated from other chemical storage?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are gas cylinders securely restrained and supply valves closed if not in use?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is a cylinder trolley available for transporting cylinders?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are cryogenics appropriately stored?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

B In Laboratories, workshops, etc

• Is the number of cylinders inside rooms kept to a minimum?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all gas cylinders in labs connected for use (ie no laboratory storage)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are gas cylinders securely restrained and supply valves closed if not in use?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are cryogenics appropriately stored?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are fuel gas services installed to required standards (AG601 & AS1596)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is gas use confined to areas with good local exhaust systems?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Section 3: BIOLOGICAL SAFETY

A General Biological Safety

• Are high risk specimens isolated (ie appropriate containment laboratories)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are safe work practices in place for lab techniques (including minimisation of aerosols)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are cleaning procedures established for normal cleaning and emergency spills?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are autoclave/procedures available for disinfection?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are staff aware of decontamination procedures?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are sharps bins and biohazardous waste procedures established & implemented?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is all research approved (where required) by the appropriate agency/ethics committee?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is specialised personal protective equipment available for use by staff/students?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have all staff/students been provided with information on appropriate vaccinations?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are centrifuges in good order & clean?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are biohazard cabinets provided where required?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

B Laminar Flow Cabinets

• Have all laminar flow cabinets been certified within the last 12 months?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are procedures for appropriate use of cabinets posted?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do the cabinets look clean and tidy (ie routine cleaning performed regularly)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Section 4: RADIATION SAFETY

A Ionizing Radiation Hazards

• Is there a current radiation licence for the work (radioactive substance or irradiating apparatus)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has a Radiation Safety Officer been appointed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do all operators have appropriate training?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there approved safe working rules?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is appropriate monitoring equipment available?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is appropriate monitoring equipment calibrated?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is appropriate personal dosimetry available?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Where required, is approved shielding installed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is access to radiation hazard areas restricted?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there warning signs for radiation hazards?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are "sealed" radiation sources maintained in good order?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are "unsealed" radiation sources correctly stored?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are work surfaces impervious?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is personal protective equipment available?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there appropriate waste disposal procedures?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is X-ray equipment tested & maintained?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a current possession/transport/storage license?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

B Non-ionizing Radiation Hazards

• Are workers protected from exposure to UV equipment?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have workers been trained in UV transilluminator safety?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• - Is appropriate eye protection available?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• - Do the laboratory gloves provide UV protection?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• - Are UV sources fitted with protective shields?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are germicidal lamps interlocked to prevent exposure?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is access to Class 3b or Class 4 lasers controlled?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• - Are appropriate laser safety procedures in place?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• - Are laser warning signs displayed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• - Are protective interlocks effective?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• - Is eye protection provided?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• - Are eye examinations provided in accordance with AS/NZ Standard 2221:1?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• - Has a Laser Safety Officer been appointed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is access to NMR magnets controlled?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• - Are warning signs posted?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• - Is the 0.5 mT line appropriately marked?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are arc-welding operators provided with helmets (with filter lens), fire resistant gauntlet gloves, apron, boots, spats, skull cap and boilermakers coverall or bib, brace & shirt?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Section 5: MACHINE/WORKSHOP SAFETY

A Basic Safety

• Are machines built in accordance with relevant Australian Standards?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are safe operating instructions/warning signs clearly visible?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are machines guarded/protected to prevent contact, entanglement or damage?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have preventative maintenance arrangements been made (if required)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there an electrical isolation switch on all machines?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

B Miscellaneous

• Are machines appropriate for the area of use (ie explosive proof, etc)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are lighting levels sufficient for operators to run equipment safely?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are residual current detectors in use for portable equipment?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are separate bays provided for welding and grinding?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are aisles marked and of sufficient width?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are hand tools inspected regularly for physical damage?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are spray booths inspected annually?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the floor clear of waste, oil & water?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Section 7: NURSING WARD SAFETY

• Are all imitation drugs and medicines adequately labeled as such?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a system in place to ensure that there is no diagnostic use of the equipment and stores?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Section 8: GENERAL/MISCELLANEOUS SAFETY

A Signs/Information

• Are hazard posters effectively posted at lab entrances?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are emergency and evacuation procedures prominently displayed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are staff aware of nominated first aiders?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have emergency numbers been posted on each phone?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is special signage for radiation, biological or other hazards prominently posted?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

B Safety Equipment

• Are safety showers and eye wash facilities functional?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are safety showers free of obstructions?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have Self Contained Breathing Apparatus been recertified within the last 12 months?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all fire extinguishers and safety blankets within the certification or use by date?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

C Fume Cupboards

• Are electrical services located outside the chamber?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are emergency switches clearly identified for gas and water supply?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has the cupboard been inspected and certified within the last 12 months?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are restrictions posted near fume cupboards (< 2.5 L of flammables, no H3ClO4, etc)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are fume cupboards appropriate for the type of hazard (ie radiation, biological, etc)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

D Electrical Safety

• Are double adaptors & piggyback plugs banned?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are multi-outlet boards mounted clear of benches & floors?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a periodic check of equipment and extension leads; ie Are appliances & leads tagged?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

E Heat Hazards

• Is all heating equipment clear of combustibles?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are ovens, furnaces & kilns provided with flues?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is suitable protective equipment available for use with equipment; ie Gloves, face shields, etc?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Aditional Comment and/or Actions

• Insert Addition Comments and or Actions here.