Laboratory Inspections Criteria

The following items form the checklist used during laboratory safety inspections:

Administrative

• Personnel have taken all required training from EHS ( WHMIS 2015, Lab safety, Rad Safety, Biosafety, Worker/Supervisor Safety Awareness) AS REQUIRED
• Lab manuals, SDS/MSDSs and operating instructions are available and reviewed by lab personnel
• Training for all lab personnel is documented and documentation is maintained

General Laboratory Work Practices

• No evidence of food or beverages being consumed or stored in the lab
• Laboratory benches and storage are uncluttered
• Aisles and exits are unobstructed
• Large / heavy items are stored on lower shelves
• No storage of personnel belonging

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Personnel is wearing the adequate PPE (eye protection, gloves, lab coats, close toed shoes, etc.) as required
• Lab coats and gloves are not worn in non‐lab areas
• Long hair are restrained and no hanging jewellery 

 Emergency Preparedness

• Fire extinguisher is readily available, unobstructed, has locking pin intact,  inspected  conspicuous location
• Safety shower is readily accessible and inspected
• Eye wash station is readily accessible and inspected
• Emergency exits are identified and known to laboratory personnel
• First aid station is readily available
• Chemical spill kit is readily accessible and contains minimum required supplies
• All dirty rags used to wipe up flammable or combustible material are stored in ULC listed or equivalent metal safety containers

Engineering Controls

• Fume hood is operational and inspected
• Sash is closed if fume hood is not being used
• No Chemical being stored in the fume hood
• Large equipment in fume hood is elevated to ensure effective air flow
• Fume hood is neat, tidy and uncluttered
• No evidence of chemical fume hoods being used for biohazards or radioactive materials
• Electrical connections are outside of the fume hood
• Sinks within fume hoods are protected from chemical spills
• Fume hoods are fitted with a low flow alarm

Chemical Hazardous Materials Safety

• Chemicals Inventory System is updated
• Flammable liquids are stored in approved ULC or equivalent flammable solvent cabinets
• No evidence of flammable and/or combustible materials being stored in household fridges/freezers/cupboards
• Household refrigerators and freezers are labelled as not
• appropriate to store flammable/combustible liquids
• Flammable storage cabinets are well maintained and in good structural integrity
• Incompatible chemicals are stored separately ( ei: bases and acids are stored separately) etc, as per Lab Safety manual section:15
• Containers are kept closed when not in use
• Chemical containers are in good condition
• Chemicals labelled appropriately
• Access to MSDSs/SDSs is provided to lab users
• Unstable substances such as ethers and peroxide forming chemicals are tested routinely tested and test are recorded
• Flammable material are stored below eye level
• No sign of disposal of hazardous waste through the sewer system
• Spill kits are readily available
• Lab doesn’t use Hg-based thermometers

Compressed Gases

• Cryogenic liquids are dispensed and handled in well ventilated areas
• Oxygen sensors are located in areas where volume of gas could result in dangerous displacement of oxygen
• Gas cylinders not in use have protective cap in place
• Cylinders are secured at ~ ⅔ of their height in an upright position.
• Restraints/brackets are in good condition
• Cylinders are well removed from doors, aisles, stairs and elevators
• Cylinder cart is available for transport
• Incompatible gases are segregated
• Regulators appear to be in good condition
• No more than 1 spare compressed gas of each kind is located in the lab

Waste Disposal

• Sharps containers are available for sharps disposal
• Container is available for disposal of broken glass
• Hazardous waste is stored appropriately
• No evidence of the accumulation of hazardous waste
• Sewage disposal sticker posted and is visible at each sink
• No evidence of unacceptable sewer discharges to the sink

Equipment

• Instruction manuals and/or SOPs are available for equipment
• Personnel are trained in safe use of equipment (e.g. autoclaves, centrifuges)
• Moving parts and/or pinch points of equipment are guarded appropriately

Electrical

• Extension cords are not used as permanent fixtures
• No evidence of piggybacking of extension cords
• Electrical cords are in good condition (not frayed etc.)
• Electrical hazards in the labs are identified
• Electrical equipment is in a good condition and properly maintained