UniTec Facilty Audit ver1.0

• Inspection Title

• Faculty / Unit

• Building / Floor / Room No.

• Conducted on

  Date

• Prepared by

• Personnel

1. Risk Management, Information and Signage

• Is there an up to date Hazard Information Poster posted on or<br>adjacent to the door?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Create a Hazard Information Poster online at
  www.safetyandwellbeing.uts.edu.au/environment/lab/
  posters/
  www.safetyandwellbeing.uts.edu.au/environment/lab/ posters/

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is H&S signage specific to the work area displayed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the H&S laboratory manual available and up to date?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are risk assessments conducted/reviewed annually for all<br>hazardous activities in the facility?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are risk assessment records easily accessible?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are staff and students made aware of risk assessments?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are risk assessments included in laboratory notes for each<br>subject?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

2. H&S management, information, consultation and training

• Has action been taken to reduce the risk of dangerous activities<br>and tasks?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact the Safety & Wellbeing Branch on ext 1063
  or 1326 for advice.

• Do staff know to report hazards, accidents and near misses to<br>their supervisor?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• E-mail a reminder to staff or include in the agenda for
  your next staff meeting.

3. Emergencies

• Are emergency evacuation procedures posted in the main work<br>areas?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact the Essential Services Compliance Manager
  on ext 4689.

• Are emergency wardens trained and available in an emergency?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact the Essential Services Compliance Manager
  on ext 4689.

• Are appropriate fire extinguishers easily accessible and<br>signposted (e.g. carbon dioxide for labs)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or
  send a maintenance request via the FMU website at
  www.fmu.uts.edu.au/works/maintenancerequests.html.
  www.fmu.uts.edu.au/works/maintenancerequests.html

• Check the tags attached to fire extinguishers - have the fire extinguishers been inspected within the last nine months?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or
  send a maintenance request via the FMU website at
  www.fmu.uts.edu.au/works/maintenancerequests.html.
  www.fmu.uts.edu.au/works/maintenancerequests.html

• Are overhead sprinklers and smoke detectors clear of obstructions, stores, etc.?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or send a maintenance request via the FMU website at
  www.fmu.uts.edu.au/works/maintenancerequests.html.
  www.fmu.uts.edu.au/works/maintenancerequests.html

• Are the exit doors marked, clearly visible and clear of obstructions?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or send a maintenance request via the FMU website at
  www.fmu.uts.edu.au/works/maintenancerequests.html.
  www.fmu.uts.edu.au/works/maintenancerequests.html

• Have all staff and students seen the ’Escape from UTS’ video?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Send them a reminder and refer to www.fmu.uts.edu.au/emergency/escape_video.html
  www.fmu.uts.edu.au/emergency/escape_video.html

4. Hazards

• Are staff and students made aware of all relevant hazards present in the facility?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are staff and students encouraged to report hazards via HIRO?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Report hazards and incidents at www.safetyandwellbeing.uts.edu.au/accidents/reporting.html.
  www.safetyandwellbeing.uts.edu.au/accidents/reporting.html

• Are inspections completed at least every six months and action taken to ensure compliance?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

5. Accidents/incidents and first aid

• Are staff aware of how to report accidents/incidents through HIRO?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Report hazards and incidents at www.safetyandwellbeing.uts.edu.au/accidents/reporting.html.
  www.safetyandwellbeing.uts.edu.au/accidents/reporting.html

• Have all reported accidents/incidents resulted in an investigation with action taken to ensure it does not happen again?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is a First Aid Officer readily available during normal work hours?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are posters/notices indicating the contact details of the First Aid Officers on display?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ask the First Aid Officers to check the details on all First Aid Officer signs. Additional posters and notices are available from the Safety & Wellbeing Branch at www.safetyandwellbeing.uts.edu.au/firstaid/signage/ or by calling ext 1102.
  www.safetyandwellbeing.uts.edu.au/firstaid/signage/

• Are the First Aid Officers keeping their First Aid kit stocked with supplies that are not out-of-date and aware that they should never include medication (including Aspirin, Panadol or other headache preparations or pain killers of any kind)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ask the First Aid Officers to order missing supplies via the order form at www.safetyandwellbeing.uts.edu.au/emergency/firstaid.html
  Dispose of any medication appropriately.
  www.safetyandwellbeing.uts.edu.au/emergency/firstaid.html

• Are posters/notices indicating the contact details of the First Aid Officers on display?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ask the First Aid Officers to check the details on all First Aid Officer signs. Additional posters and notices are available from the Safety & Wellbeing Branch at www.safetyandwellbeing.uts.edu.au/firstaid/signage/ or by calling ext 1102.
  www.safetyandwellbeing.uts.edu.au/firstaid/signage/

6. Work environment - slips and trips, lighting

• Is access to the facility restricted to trained staff/students or is supervision required?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are walkways free of trip hazards (e.g. electrical cords)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Move or secure the offending cord or obstruction.
  www.safetyandwellbeing.uts.edu.au/emergency/firstaid.html

• Do floors have even surfaces (no lifted carpet or holes)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or send a maintenance request via the FMU website at
  www.fmu.uts.edu.au/works/maintenancerequests.html.
  www.fmu.uts.edu.au/works/maintenancerequests.html

• Are stair treads in good condition?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or send a maintenance request via the FMU website at
  www.fmu.uts.edu.au/works/maintenancerequests.html.
  www.fmu.uts.edu.au/works/maintenancerequests.html

• Are corridors, walkways and work areas adequately lit?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or send a maintenance request via the FMU website at
  www.fmu.uts.edu.au/works/maintenancerequests.html.
  www.fmu.uts.edu.au/works/maintenancerequests.html

• Are window coverings available to minimise glare and reflection on computer screens?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or send a maintenance request via the FMU website at
  www.fmu.uts.edu.au/works/maintenancerequests.html.
  www.fmu.uts.edu.au/works/maintenancerequests.html

7. Electrical

• Are electrical sockets and switches in good repair?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Tag the item “not for use” and get fixed.

• Is there a schedule for testing and tagging plug-in electrical equipment and electrical cords based on risk assessment?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Safety & Wellbeing for assistance on ext 1063.

• Is there a schedule for testing and tagging plug-in electrical equipment and electrical cords?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Safety & Wellbeing for assistance on ext 1063.

• Is there a schedule for testing and tagging plug-in electrical equipment and electrical cords based on risk assessment?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Safety & Wellbeing for assistance on ext 1063.

• Is there a register of tested electrical equipment?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Establish and maintain a register.

• Do all portable electrical appliances have a current inspection tag?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Test and tag immediately.

• Has the use of double adaptors been eliminated?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Replace adaptors with power boards.

• Are all electrical conductors, such as power boards and sockets, away from wet areas?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Move away from where water can reach.

8. Manual handling

• Are trolleys available for transporting heavy loads?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Consult with staff to determine the type of trolley needed…then purchase it. Call the Safety & Wellbeing Branch on ext 4540 or 1326 if you require assistance.

• Are heavy items stored between mid-thigh and shoulder height?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Reorganise storage areas if possible. If this is not possible consider providing more space or reduce the amount stored.

• Is work organised to limit unnecessary or excessive bending and the need to transport heavy loads?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Redesign the work area or the work, or call the Safety & Wellbeing Branch on ext 1326 or 1056 for advice.

• Is stored material secured to prevent shifting/falling?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Reorganise storage areas if possible. If this is not possible consider providing more space or reduce the amount stored.

9. Chemical inventory, labelling and risk assessments

• Is there an up to date inventory/register of chemicals available in hard and soft copy?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is an up to date (<5yrs old) Safety data Sheet (SDS) available in hard and soft copy for each chemical used?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are chemicals labelled according to the relevant legislation?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has a risk assessment been completed for all hazardous substances or dangerous goods (designated as such by the SDS)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has there been consultation between the subject coordinators and lab manager regarding controls required for each class?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there up to date risk assessments and relevant SDS’s included in all student lab notes?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are staff and students aware of the procedures in place for the use of high-risk chemicals (i.e. flammables, explosives, cytotoxics, poisons, HF, carcinogens, etc.)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

10. Chemical use, risk controls and emergency response

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is safety equipment (jerry cans, grounding straps, etc) available for use?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is personal protective equipment (gloves, goggles, aprons, etc) available and maintained in good condition?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are appropriate spill kits, PPE and decontamination material available where needed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a sign noting the location and instructions for use for the spill kits - noting use of appropriate PPE?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is safety equipment maintained in good operating condition and accessible to laboratory staff at all times?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are safety carriers available for transporting glass or plastic containers of 2L or greater?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are fire extinguishers clearly signposted and kept clear of any<br>obstructions?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are safety showers and eye-wash stations regularly checked and records kept?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do staff in the area know how to respond to an emergency involving flammable liquids (ask them)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Instruction must be provided.

• Do staff in the area know how to respond to a chemical spill (ask them)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Instructions for chemical spill response must be posted and communicated.

11. Fume cupboards and laminar flow cupboards

• Are electrical services located outside the chamber?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are emergency switches clearly identified for power and gas 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 (< 2.5L of flammables; no H3ClO4, etc.)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are procedures for the appropriate use of cabinets posted?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do the cabinets look clean and tidy (i.e. routine cleaning performed recently)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

12. Chemical storage

• Are chemicals stored correctly (i.e. only with other compatible chemicals)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are domestic refrigerators kept free of flammable material?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Move to a special chemical storage refrigerator.

• Are all storage refrigerators spark-proof?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are cabinets used for the storage of large quantities of chemicals?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there security/restricted access to store areas?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is fire suppression or fire protection equipment available?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476.

• Is the ventilation sufficient to prevent build-up of offensive odours?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all glass containers > 1kg or 1L stored below 1.5m high?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is all shelving compatible with chemicals stored or covered with a protective coating?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all containers free from leaks or damage?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Dispose damaged containers according to hazardous waste disposal guidelines.

13. Flammable liquid cabinets

• Is there not more than one flammable liquid cabinet per 250m2 of floor space?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are flammable liquid cabinets at least 3m from power points and other ignition sources?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Move it to comply

• Is the bunding/bottom shelf in place and kept clear?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the area around and on top of the cabinet clear of all material i.e. no storage of combustible materials on or around cabinet?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there appropriate signage in place?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are warning signs on the cabinet legible?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

14. Hazardous waste

• Is hazardous waste separated and labelled as per the UTS procedures?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there sufficient and appropriate waste disposal containers in the laboratory?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have all staff and students working in the facility received hazardous substances/dangerous goods training?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there signage stating that tipping of hazardous waste down the sink is prohibited?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

15. Gas Cylinders

• Are all gas cylinders in laboratories connected for use? (i.e. no laboratory storage)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are gas cylinders securely chained and supply valves closed/capped if not in use?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are flashback arrestors used in fuel gas supply lines?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are non-return (check) valves fitted to all processes that exceed cylinder pressure?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is gas use confined to areas with good ventilation?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are specialised trolleys available for moving gas cylinders?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all cylinders at least 3m away from ignition sources and combustible material?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are empty cylinders separated and identified as empty?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

16. Biological

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are autoclaves/procedures available for disinfection?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are staff aware of decontamination procedures established?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are sharps and biohazardous waste procedures established and 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 and maintained in good condition?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are recombinant DNA laboratory areas inspected and certified by the UTS Biosafety Committee?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are specimen containers always labelled and legible?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

17. Communicable diseases

• Are sharps containers and personal protective equipment available as required?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are staff made aware of safe work practices for handling of sharps and disposal procedures?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the laboratory manager and academic staff aware of the emergency response procedure?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

18. Animal handling and facilities

• Are separate facilities available for animal storage, cleaning, examination etc.?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are infected and non-infected animals segregated?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all staff trained in safety procedures associated with animal handling?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

19. Ionising radiation

• Are the areas designed for specific radiation procedures/work appropriately registered?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact the Radiation Safety Officer.

• Is radiation monitoring and detection equipment readily available and calibrated?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact the Radiation Safety Officer.

• Are appropriate personal and/or area monitoring procedures adopted?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact the Radiation Safety Officer.

• Is adequate and sufficient shielding material/equipment provided?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all staff licensed users unless specifically exempted as postgraduate students?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact the Radiation Safety Officer.

• Are radioactive materials securely stored according to procedures?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is radioactive waste securely stored and disposed of according to procedures?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact the Radiation Safety Officer.

• Are safe work procedures and decontamination/emergency procedures established?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are staff and students provided with training on safe work procedures?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact the Radiation Safety Officer.

• Are relevant licenses and exemption notices displayed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Display notice of exempted students.

20. Non-ionising radiation

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do arc-welding areas have ventilation to protect operators from inhaling fumes?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do laser laboratories have the appropriate warning signs?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are lasers equipped with protective housings, safety interlocks, key controls, beam stops, attenuators and scanning safety guards as appropriate?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are laser operators provided with wavelength-specific eye protection?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is suitable eye protection and skin protection worn by any persons exposed to ultraviolet radiation?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• See AS/NZS 1337 and AS/NZS 2211.1 for eye protection

21. Plant and equipment

• 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

• Are any items of plant obsolete and unsafe to operate?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If the item cannot be repaired it should be disposed of.

• Have preventative maintenance arrangements been made if required?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have items of plant/equipment requiring risk assessment been identified and risk assessments documented?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are documented safe work procedures available for high risk plant and equipment?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are staff and students trained in the safe work procedures for use of the plant/equipment?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is personal protective equipment available (where specified in the risk assessment/safe work procedure) and maintained in good condition?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are machines appropriate for the area of use (i.e. explosion proof, etc.)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is a register of slings/ladders kept, with details of all maintenance and inspections noted?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has sound level testing been performed on noisy equipment and adequate controls / hearing protection provided?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Safety & Wellbeing on ext 1063 to organise sound level testing.

• Are residual current devices in use for electrical equipment?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or send a maintenance request via the FMU website at www.fmu.uts.edu.au/works/maintenancerequests.html
  www.fmu.uts.edu.au/works/maintenancerequests.html

• Is local exhaust ventilation drawing air effectively?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or send a maintenance request via the FMU website at www.fmu.uts.edu.au/works/maintenancerequests.html
  www.fmu.uts.edu.au/works/maintenancerequests.html

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact Building Services on ext 7477 or 7476 or send a maintenance request via the FMU website at www.fmu.uts.edu.au/works/maintenancerequests.html
  www.fmu.uts.edu.au/works/maintenancerequests.html

Audit Completion

• Include any extra items that have been identified here:

• Add signature

  Sign

• Select date

  Date