WELCOME to the Safety Lady

LABORATORY SAFETY AUDIT

GENERAL

Yes

No

Date Completed

Has a designated Safety Officer been appointed to oversee laboratory safety issues?

Do employees receive safety training at the time of hire and annually thereafter?

Do you have the required OSHA poster #3165 (http://www.osha.gov/Publications/poster.html) displayed where all employees are likely to see it?

Is there a current listing posted of emergency contacts with phone numbers?

Are all ladders maintained in good condition?

Are non-slip safety rungs provided on each ladder?

Are portable metal ladders legibly marked with signs reading, “Caution, do not use around electrical equipment” or equivalent wording?

Are biological safety cabinets and fume hoods certified annually?

Are bloodborne pathogen and chemical spill kits maintained in accessible locations and have expiration dates?

Is there signage indicating the location of these spill kits?

Are noise levels below 75 decibels?

Do employees understand what to do if they sustain an exposure to blood and body fluids?

Is annual safety training provided to all employees and attendance documented?

Have all employees been offered Hepatitis Vaccine free of charge within 10 days of hire  and has this information been documented?

When hoods are in use, are supplies and equipment kept at least four inches away from the hood face?

Is the hood sash height kept as low as possible?

HOUSEKEEPING

Yes

No

Date Completed

Are all work areas, benches, floors and storage areas maintained in a neat and orderly manner?

Are all work surfaces decontaminated with an appropriate disinfectant at the end of each work shift and when grossly contaminated with blood and body fluids?

Is broken glass picked up by tongs or forceps and disposed of in an appropriate container?

Do spill clean-up procedures include soaking up the spill with absorbent material such as paper towels, decontaminating the area with an appropriate disinfectant and disposing of the contaminated materials appropriately?

Is storage no more than 24 inches from the ceiling in a non-sprinkled area and no more than 18 inches from a sprinkler head?

Are heavy objects stored on lower shelving?

Are aisles free of trash and other debris?

Yes

No

Date Completed

Are biohazard receptacles for blood or other potential infectious materials separate from regular trash?

Are these containers in good condition?

Is trash removed at least daily?

Are main access hall corridors 48 inches wide?

Are floors wet mopped daily?

Are floors cleaned and wax stripped regularly to prevent paraffin buildup?

Are certain computers and telephones designated a clean/dirty?

Are all safety cabinets vented to the outside?

Is storage in hoods limited so that the ventilation is not obstructed?

Has initial and routine air monitoring been performed to determine exposure levels (eg: formalin, xylene, etc.)

Have you looked in each and every cabinet for unlabeled containers and labeled them correctly?

Are loads in centrifuges balanced?

Are tops of centrifuges locked down when in use?

Is chipped or cracked glassware disposed of in a rigid container?

Is the refrigerator for food clean and defrosted?

Is the microwave oven for food clean?

Are workstations disinfected with an appropriate Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) registered disinfectant at the end of each shift?

Personal Protective Equipment

Yes

No

Date Complete

Has a personal protective equipment assessment been completed and documented?

Do employees wear safety glasses with side shields (or goggles) in case of splash hazards?

Do any tasks require the use of additional face protection such as a mask or a chin length face shield?

Do employees wear non-slip type shoes especially in areas where paraffin is used?

Do shoes cover the entire food and are made of leather or vinyl?

Do employees wear fluid resistant (withstanding a minimum of 10 lbs./sq. in. of pressure) full length lab coats or cover gowns with long sleeves, knitted cuffs and closed in the front while in the work area?

If these coats/gowns are reusable, are they laundered by a hospital or outside laundry service?

Do employees remove their lab coats/gowns when leaving the laboratory environment?

Do employees wear appropriate gloves when performing laboratory testing or phlebotomy?

Are gloves available in appropriate sizes for all workers at risk for exposure?

Are hypoallergenic gloves and liners available to workers who are allergic to latex?Are gloves removed when leaving the laboratory environment?

Are gloves removed when leaving the laboratory environment?

Documentation

Yes

No

Date Complete

Do you have copies of the Federal Register  for January 31, 1990, Vol. 55, No. 21, pp 3327-3335 (Chemical Hygiene) and December 6, 1991, Vol., 56, No. 235, pp 64175-64182 (Bloodborne Pathogen) and current CLSI documents M-29 and GP-17

Are safety training records on all employees kept three years?

Are medical records on all employees kept for the duration of employment plus 30 years?

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

Yes

No

Date Completed

Is the bloodborne pathogen written program available, current and has it been reviewed within the last year?

Do employees understand what Standard Precautions (formerly Universal Precautions/Body Substance Isolation) means?

Are lab coats and gloves removed before leaving the work area?

Are hands washed before leaving the work area?

Are sharps containers available and used?

Are sharps containers disposed of when three-fourths full?

Is mouth pipetting prohibited?

Do employees store food in a refrigerator specifically for food and not for specimens?

Is this refrigerator labeled “For Food Only”?

Do employees refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics and lip balm or manipulating contact lenses in the work area?

Have employees responsible for shipping diagnostic and infectious specimens been trained in accordance with the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations or International Air Transportation Association regulations, if applicable?

CHEMICAL HYGIENE

Yes

No

Date Completed

Is the Chemical Hygiene Plan available, current and reviewed within the last year?

Do employees know where the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are located?

Are the MSDS accessible to employees during all working hours?

Do employees know how to use the MSDS to look up spills and first aid for a chemical they use?

Are old MSDS archived?

Has the chemical inventory been performed and updated in the last 12 months?

Is there a list of carcinogens, mutagens and teratogens?

Has the chemical risk assessment been updated in the last year?

Are all manufactured chemical containers labeled with the appropriate chemical identity and hazard warning information?

Do transfer containers of chemicals properly labeled with a HIMS label or plain label with the name of the chemical, concentration, route of entry, health hazard, physical hazard, target organs effected, lab name, lot number and expiration date?

Yes

No

Date Completed

Are flammable or toxic chemicals kept in closed containers when not in use?

Are chemicals stored away from heat, sunlight or reactive substances?

Are incompatible chemicals stored separately (reference MSDS)?

Are chemicals not currently being used placed in the appropriate storage cabinet?

Are working supplies of chemicals limited to one gallon per 100 sq.ft.?

Are Class I flammable liquids that are refrigerated stored in devices listed as approved for Class I storage?

Are peroxide formers used only in approved laboratory hoods?

Do employees understand how to properly store chemicals?

Is environmental monitoring performed and documented where appropriate?

Are chemical spill kits/materials in date, maintained and available for use?

Are chemical spill kits identified by proper signage?

Have employees been trained in spill cleanup procedures including mercury and formaldehyde, if applicable?

Has the Target Organ poster (www.safetylady.com)  been placed so that is visible to all employees?

COMPRESSED GAS

Yes

No

Date Completed

Are all compressed gas cylinders chained to the wall or otherwise secured in a non-tip base?

Are empty gas cylinders marked with the word “EMPTY”?

Are cylinders transported via hand truck or other stabilizing device?

Are cylinders legibly marked to clearly identify the gas in the cylinders?

Are cylinders equipped with a pressure regulator designed and marked for its maximum pressure?

Is the regulator system equipped with two gauges to show both the cylinder pressure and the outlet pressure?

Do cylinders have a manual shutoff valve?

Are valve protectors placed on cylinders when they are not in use or connected for use?

Is smoking prohibited near oxygen storage areas?

ELECTRICAL

Yes

No

Date Completed

Is electrical equipment grounded with the use of three pronged plugs?

Are electrical cords free of any frayed edges?

Are extension cords prohibited from use?

Are multi-plug adapters prohibited?

Are receptacles properly wired?

Are electrical outlets located near wet locations, such as sinks, protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)?

Are heat sources and liquid chemicals kept away from outlets, cords and equipment as much a possible?

Are light fixtures in working order?

Have employees been trained in how to handle shock injuries?

Are electrical panels kept cleared within three feet in front of breaker panels?

Are electrical circuit breakers and panels labeled with a current listing of equipment powered by each unit?

ERGONOMICS

Seating

Yes

No

Date Completed

Do all chairs have five legs?

Are chairs that are used on soft surfaces (eg: carpet) fitted with hard casters?

Are chairs that are used on hard surfaces (eg: tile) fitted with soft casters?

Does the chair have a minimum of four way (six is preferred) adjustment?

Can the backrest flex between 90 and 113 degrees?

Is the seat pan the appropriate size for the user?

Are footrests provided if feet do lay flat on the floor?

Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse

Yes

No

Date Completed

Are tops of the monitors at eye level?

Are monitors 14-30 inches from eye level?

Is a document holder used when necessary

Do computer monitors face away from windows to avoid glare?

Are glare screens available if necessary?

Does the keyboard lay flat

Is the mouse near the keyboard and at the same level as the keyboard?

Noise

Yes

No

Date Completed

Is the noise level checked annually in all areas?

Is the noise level less than 80 dB(A) over an 8 hour period?

If noise levels are between 80 and 100 dB(A), are ear plugs available as an option?

If noise levels exceed 100 dB(A), are ear plugs required?

If the noise level is 85 dB(A) or higher, is a hearing conservation program in place?

Miscellaneous

Yes

No

Date Completed

Are centrifuges placed low enough so that employees can see into the body of the machine easily?

Are antifatigue mats available at locations where employees have to stand for long periods of time (eg: Chemistry, Histology Gross Room, etc.)?

EYEWASH/SHOWER

Yes

No

Date Completed

Are eyewash stations located within 100 feet of where hazardous chemicals are used?

Is there a sign indicating the location of the eyewash above the station?

Are the protective caps in place on the eyewash?

Is the eyewash in good working condition?

Are the eyewash stations checked and the eye covers disinfected with 10% bleach weekly?

Are eyewash preventive maintenance and routine checks documented?

Is there a sign indicating the location of the safety shower above the station?

Are the safety showers checked monthly?

Are floor drains near showers flushed monthly?

Are all safety checks to showers documented?

FIRE

Yes

No

Date Completed

Is there a fire alarm pull station located near the laboratory?

Can the fire alarm be heard from inside the laboratory?

Do fire exits have an exit sign that is illuminated by a reliable light source?

Are stairwells and emergency exits accessible and free of obstructions?

Do all employees know where the fire extinguishers are located?

Are all fire extinguishers easily accessible and not blocked?

Have all employees received fire extinguisher training including the opportunity to actually use the extinguisher in a real or simulated practice?

Do employees understand what type of extinguisher is needed (A, B, C, etc.) for each class of fire?

Have fire extinguishers been serviced within the past year?

Do employees know what the acronym RACE and PASS stand for?

Have quarterly fire drills been completed and documented?

Has each employee performed at least one full evacuation to the triage area annually?

Are evacuation routes posted in visible locations?

Does staff know how to respond to a fire drill and what evacuation route to use?

Does staff know the procedure for the evacuation of disabled employees?

RADIATION – if applicable

Yes

No

Date Completed

Is the laboratory radiation safety license appropriate for the work performed?

Is the laboratory radiation safety license current?

Are the radiation badge records current and available upon request?

Has everyone involved with radiation testing been successfully trained annually on radiation safety including ALARA (As Low As Reasonable Achievable) information?

WASTE MANAGEMENT

Yes

No

Date Completed

Is there a recycling program in place that includes paper, plastic, glass, cans, alcohol, formaldehyde, solvents, etc.?

Is all waste disposed of properly according to federal state and local authorities?

Is there a waste management plan?

Are there documented cradle-to-grave protocols in place where appropriate?

Have employees been trained as to what can be discharged down the sewer?

Does the facility have a discharge permit or letter of acknowledgment from the wastewater treatment facility?

Is the discharge from the laboratory to the sewer routinely monitored?

If the facility is a large quantity generator, is waste stored less than 90 days

If the facility is a small quantity generator is waste stored less than 180 days?

If the facility has to transport waste more than 200 miles for disposal, is the waste stored 270 days or less?

Are incompatible wastes and/or materials separated or protected by physical means such as a wall or a cabinet?

Are floor drains covered to prevent a spill from entering a drain?

Have employees responsible for shipping hazardous waste been trained in accordance with the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations?

Are waste management records (manifests, waste analysis results, inspection records, training records) retained on-site for at least three years?

Has the laboratory identified and utilized less hazardous chemicals as substitutes for hazardous chemicals in use?

Has the use of mercury been eliminated in the laboratory?

Has the laboratory offered unused chemicals to other departments or organizations before disposing as a hazardous waste?

Has the laboratory implemented a pollution prevention program?

Are sinks used for chemical disposal fitted with an acid trap?

LABORATORY SAFETY AUDIT

GENERAL

Yes

No

Date Completed

Has a designated Safety Officer been appointed to oversee laboratory safety issues?

Do employees receive safety training at the time of hire and annually thereafter?

Do you have the required OSHA poster #3165 (http://www.osha.gov/Publications/poster.html) displayed where all employees are likely to see it?

Is there a current listing posted of emergency contacts with phone numbers?

Are all ladders maintained in good condition?

Are non-slip safety rungs provided on each ladder?

Are portable metal ladders legibly marked with signs reading, “Caution, do not use around electrical equipment” or equivalent wording?

Are biological safety cabinets and fume hoods certified annually?

Are bloodborne pathogen and chemical spill kits maintained in accessible locations and have expiration dates?

Is there signage indicating the location of these spill kits?

Are noise levels below 75 decibels?

Do employees understand what to do if they sustain an exposure to blood and body fluids?

Is annual safety training provided to all employees and attendance documented?

Have all employees been offered Hepatitis Vaccine free of charge within 10 days of hire  and has this information been documented?

When hoods are in use, are supplies and equipment kept at least four inches away from the hood face?

Is the hood sash height kept as low as possible?

HOUSEKEEPING

Yes

No

Date Completed

Are all work areas, benches, floors and storage areas maintained in a neat and orderly manner?

Are all work surfaces decontaminated with an appropriate disinfectant at the end of each work shift and when grossly contaminated with blood and body fluids?

Is broken glass picked up by tongs or forceps and disposed of in an appropriate container?

Do spill clean-up procedures include soaking up the spill with absorbent material such as paper towels, decontaminating the area with an appropriate disinfectant and disposing of the contaminated materials appropriately?

Is storage no more than 24 inches from the ceiling in a non-sprinkled area and no more than 18 inches from a sprinkler head?

Are heavy objects stored on lower shelving?

Are aisles free of trash and other debris?

Yes

No

Date Completed

Are biohazard receptacles for blood or other potential infectious materials separate from regular trash?

Are these containers in good condition?

Is trash removed at least daily?

Are main access hall corridors 48 inches wide?

Are floors wet mopped daily?

Are floors cleaned and wax stripped regularly to prevent paraffin buildup?

Are certain computers and telephones designated a clean/dirty?

Are all safety cabinets vented to the outside?

Is storage in hoods limited so that the ventilation is not obstructed?

Has initial and routine air monitoring been performed to determine exposure levels (eg: formalin, xylene, etc.)

Have you looked in each and every cabinet for unlabeled containers and labeled them correctly?

Are loads in centrifuges balanced?

Are tops of centrifuges locked down when in use?

Is chipped or cracked glassware disposed of in a rigid container?

Is the refrigerator for food clean and defrosted?

Is the microwave oven for food clean?

Are workstations disinfected with an appropriate Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) registered disinfectant at the end of each shift?

Personal Protective Equipment

Yes

No

Date Complete

Has a personal protective equipment assessment been completed and documented?

Do employees wear safety glasses with side shields (or goggles) in case of splash hazards?

Do any tasks require the use of additional face protection such as a mask or a chin length face shield?

Do employees wear non-slip type shoes especially in areas where paraffin is used?

Do shoes cover the entire food and are made of leather or vinyl?

Do employees wear fluid resistant (withstanding a minimum of 10 lbs./sq. in. of pressure) full length lab coats or cover gowns with long sleeves, knitted cuffs and closed in the front while in the work area?

If these coats/gowns are reusable, are they laundered by a hospital or outside laundry service?

Do employees remove their lab coats/gowns when leaving the laboratory environment?

Do employees wear appropriate gloves when performing laboratory testing or phlebotomy?

Are gloves available in appropriate sizes for all workers at risk for exposure?

Are hypoallergenic gloves and liners available to workers who are allergic to latex?Are gloves removed when leaving the laboratory environment?

Are gloves removed when leaving the laboratory environment?

Documentation

Yes

No

Date Complete

Do you have copies of the Federal Register  for January 31, 1990, Vol. 55, No. 21, pp 3327-3335 (Chemical Hygiene) and December 6, 1991, Vol., 56, No. 235, pp 64175-64182 (Bloodborne Pathogen) and current CLSI documents M-29 and GP-17

Are safety training records on all employees kept three years?

Are medical records on all employees kept for the duration of employment plus 30 years?

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

Yes

No

Date Completed

Is the bloodborne pathogen written program available, current and has it been reviewed within the last year?

Do employees understand what Standard Precautions (formerly Universal Precautions/Body Substance Isolation) means?

Are lab coats and gloves removed before leaving the work area?

Are hands washed before leaving the work area?

Are sharps containers available and used?

Are sharps containers disposed of when three-fourths full?

Is mouth pipetting prohibited?

Do employees store food in a refrigerator specifically for food and not for specimens?

Is this refrigerator labeled “For Food Only”?

Do employees refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics and lip balm or manipulating contact lenses in the work area?

Have employees responsible for shipping diagnostic and infectious specimens been trained in accordance with the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations or International Air Transportation Association regulations, if applicable?

CHEMICAL HYGIENE

Yes

No

Date Completed

Is the Chemical Hygiene Plan available, current and reviewed within the last year?

Do employees know where the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are located?

Are the MSDS accessible to employees during all working hours?

Do employees know how to use the MSDS to look up spills and first aid for a chemical they use?

Are old MSDS archived?

Has the chemical inventory been performed and updated in the last 12 months?

Is there a list of carcinogens, mutagens and teratogens?

Has the chemical risk assessment been updated in the last year?

Are all manufactured chemical containers labeled with the appropriate chemical identity and hazard warning information?

Do transfer containers of chemicals properly labeled with a HIMS label or plain label with the name of the chemical, concentration, route of entry, health hazard, physical hazard, target organs effected, lab name, lot number and expiration date?

Yes

No

Date Completed

Are flammable or toxic chemicals kept in closed containers when not in use?

Are chemicals stored away from heat, sunlight or reactive substances?

Are incompatible chemicals stored separately (reference MSDS)?

Are chemicals not currently being used placed in the appropriate storage cabinet?

Are working supplies of chemicals limited to one gallon per 100 sq.ft.?

Are Class I flammable liquids that are refrigerated stored in devices listed as approved for Class I storage?

Are peroxide formers used only in approved laboratory hoods?

Do employees understand how to properly store chemicals?

Is environmental monitoring performed and documented where appropriate?

Are chemical spill kits/materials in date, maintained and available for use?

Are chemical spill kits identified by proper signage?

Have employees been trained in spill cleanup procedures including mercury and formaldehyde, if applicable?

Has the Target Organ poster (www.safetylady.com)  been placed so that is visible to all employees?

COMPRESSED GAS

Yes

No

Date Completed

Are all compressed gas cylinders chained to the wall or otherwise secured in a non-tip base?

Are empty gas cylinders marked with the word “EMPTY”?

Are cylinders transported via hand truck or other stabilizing device?

Are cylinders legibly marked to clearly identify the gas in the cylinders?

Are cylinders equipped with a pressure regulator designed and marked for its maximum pressure?

Is the regulator system equipped with two gauges to show both the cylinder pressure and the outlet pressure?

Do cylinders have a manual shutoff valve?

Are valve protectors placed on cylinders when they are not in use or connected for use?

Is smoking prohibited near oxygen storage areas?

ELECTRICAL

Yes

No

Date Completed

Is electrical equipment grounded with the use of three pronged plugs?

Are electrical cords free of any frayed edges?

Are extension cords prohibited from use?

Are multi-plug adapters prohibited?

Are receptacles properly wired?

Are electrical outlets located near wet locations, such as sinks, protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)?

Are heat sources and liquid chemicals kept away from outlets, cords and equipment as much a possible?

Are light fixtures in working order?

Have employees been trained in how to handle shock injuries?

Are electrical panels kept cleared within three feet in front of breaker panels?

Are electrical circuit breakers and panels labeled with a current listing of equipment powered by each unit?

ERGONOMICS

Seating

Yes

No

Date Completed

Do all chairs have five legs?

Are chairs that are used on soft surfaces (eg: carpet) fitted with hard casters?

Are chairs that are used on hard surfaces (eg: tile) fitted with soft casters?

Does the chair have a minimum of four way (six is preferred) adjustment?

Can the backrest flex between 90 and 113 degrees?

Is the seat pan the appropriate size for the user?

Are footrests provided if feet do lay flat on the floor?

Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse

Yes

No

Date Completed

Are tops of the monitors at eye level?

Are monitors 14-30 inches from eye level?

Is a document holder used when necessary

Do computer monitors face away from windows to avoid glare?

Are glare screens available if necessary?

Does the keyboard lay flat

Is the mouse near the keyboard and at the same level as the keyboard?

Noise

Yes

No

Date Completed

Is the noise level checked annually in all areas?

Is the noise level less than 80 dB(A) over an 8 hour period?

If noise levels are between 80 and 100 dB(A), are ear plugs available as an option?

If noise levels exceed 100 dB(A), are ear plugs required?

If the noise level is 85 dB(A) or higher, is a hearing conservation program in place?

Miscellaneous

Yes

No

Date Completed

Are centrifuges placed low enough so that employees can see into the body of the machine easily?

Are antifatigue mats available at locations where employees have to stand for long periods of time (eg: Chemistry, Histology Gross Room, etc.)?

EYEWASH/SHOWER

Yes

No

Date Completed

Are eyewash stations located within 100 feet of where hazardous chemicals are used?

Is there a sign indicating the location of the eyewash above the station?

Are the protective caps in place on the eyewash?

Is the eyewash in good working condition?

Are the eyewash stations checked and the eye covers disinfected with 10% bleach weekly?

Are eyewash preventive maintenance and routine checks documented?

Is there a sign indicating the location of the safety shower above the station?

Are the safety showers checked monthly?

Are floor drains near showers flushed monthly?

Are all safety checks to showers documented?

FIRE

Yes

No

Date Completed

Is there a fire alarm pull station located near the laboratory?

Can the fire alarm be heard from inside the laboratory?

Do fire exits have an exit sign that is illuminated by a reliable light source?

Are stairwells and emergency exits accessible and free of obstructions?

Do all employees know where the fire extinguishers are located?

Are all fire extinguishers easily accessible and not blocked?

Have all employees received fire extinguisher training including the opportunity to actually use the extinguisher in a real or simulated practice?

Do employees understand what type of extinguisher is needed (A, B, C, etc.) for each class of fire?

Have fire extinguishers been serviced within the past year?

Do employees know what the acronym RACE and PASS stand for?

Have quarterly fire drills been completed and documented?

Has each employee performed at least one full evacuation to the triage area annually?

Are evacuation routes posted in visible locations?

Does staff know how to respond to a fire drill and what evacuation route to use?

Does staff know the procedure for the evacuation of disabled employees?

RADIATION – if applicable

Yes

No

Date Completed

Is the laboratory radiation safety license appropriate for the work performed?

Is the laboratory radiation safety license current?

Are the radiation badge records current and available upon request?

Has everyone involved with radiation testing been successfully trained annually on radiation safety including ALARA (As Low As Reasonable Achievable) information?

WASTE MANAGEMENT

Yes

No

Date Completed

Is there a recycling program in place that includes paper, plastic, glass, cans, alcohol, formaldehyde, solvents, etc.?

Is all waste disposed of properly according to federal state and local authorities?

Is there a waste management plan?

Are there documented cradle-to-grave protocols in place where appropriate?

Have employees been trained as to what can be discharged down the sewer?

Does the facility have a discharge permit or letter of acknowledgment from the wastewater treatment facility?

Is the discharge from the laboratory to the sewer routinely monitored?

If the facility is a large quantity generator, is waste stored less than 90 days

If the facility is a small quantity generator is waste stored less than 180 days?

If the facility has to transport waste more than 200 miles for disposal, is the waste stored 270 days or less?

Are incompatible wastes and/or materials separated or protected by physical means such as a wall or a cabinet?

Are floor drains covered to prevent a spill from entering a drain?

Have employees responsible for shipping hazardous waste been trained in accordance with the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations?

Are waste management records (manifests, waste analysis results, inspection records, training records) retained on-site for at least three years?

Has the laboratory identified and utilized less hazardous chemicals as substitutes for hazardous chemicals in use?

Has the use of mercury been eliminated in the laboratory?

Has the laboratory offered unused chemicals to other departments or organizations before disposing as a hazardous waste?

Has the laboratory implemented a pollution prevention program?

Are sinks used for chemical disposal fitted with an acid trap?

LABORATORY SAFETY AUDIT

GENERAL

Yes

No

Date Completed

Has a designated Safety Officer been appointed to oversee laboratory safety issues?

Do employees receive safety training at the time of hire and annually thereafter?

Do you have the required OSHA poster #3165 (http://www.osha.gov/Publications/poster.html) displayed where all employees are likely to see it?

Is there a current listing posted of emergency contacts with phone numbers?

Are all ladders maintained in good condition?

Are non-slip safety rungs provided on each ladder?

Are portable metal ladders legibly marked with signs reading, “Caution, do not use around electrical equipment” or equivalent wording?

Are biological safety cabinets and fume hoods certified annually?

Are bloodborne pathogen and chemical spill kits maintained in accessible locations and have expiration dates?

Is there signage indicating the location of these spill kits?

Are noise levels below 75 decibels?

Do employees understand what to do if they sustain an exposure to blood and body fluids?

Is annual safety training provided to all employees and attendance documented?

Have all employees been offered Hepatitis Vaccine free of charge within 10 days of hire  and has this information been documented?

When hoods are in use, are supplies and equipment kept at least four inches away from the hood face?

Is the hood sash height kept as low as possible?

HOUSEKEEPING

Yes

No

Date Completed

Are all work areas, benches, floors and storage areas maintained in a neat and orderly manner?

Are all work surfaces decontaminated with an appropriate disinfectant at the end of each work shift and when grossly contaminated with blood and body fluids?

Is broken glass picked up by tongs or forceps and disposed of in an appropriate container?

Do spill clean-up procedures include soaking up the spill with absorbent material such as paper towels, decontaminating the area with an appropriate disinfectant and disposing of the contaminated materials appropriately?

Is storage no more than 24 inches from the ceiling in a non-sprinkled area and no more than 18 inches from a sprinkler head?

Are heavy objects stored on lower shelving?

Are aisles free of trash and other debris?

Yes

No

Date Completed

Are biohazard receptacles for blood or other potential infectious materials separate from regular trash?

Are these containers in good condition?

Is trash removed at least daily?

Are main access hall corridors 48 inches wide?

Are floors wet mopped daily?

Are floors cleaned and wax stripped regularly to prevent paraffin buildup?

Are certain computers and telephones designated a clean/dirty?

Are all safety cabinets vented to the outside?

Is storage in hoods limited so that the ventilation is not obstructed?

Has initial and routine air monitoring been performed to determine exposure levels (eg: formalin, xylene, etc.)

Have you looked in each and every cabinet for unlabeled containers and labeled them correctly?

Are loads in centrifuges balanced?

Are tops of centrifuges locked down when in use?

Is chipped or cracked glassware disposed of in a rigid container?

Is the refrigerator for food clean and defrosted?

Is the microwave oven for food clean?

Are workstations disinfected with an appropriate Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) registered disinfectant at the end of each shift?

Personal Protective Equipment

Yes

No

Date Complete

Has a personal protective equipment assessment been completed and documented?

Do employees wear safety glasses with side shields (or goggles) in case of splash hazards?

Do any tasks require the use of additional face protection such as a mask or a chin length face shield?

Do employees wear non-slip type shoes especially in areas where paraffin is used?

Do shoes cover the entire food and are made of leather or vinyl?

Do employees wear fluid resistant (withstanding a minimum of 10 lbs./sq. in. of pressure) full length lab coats or cover gowns with long sleeves, knitted cuffs and closed in the front while in the work area?

If these coats/gowns are reusable, are they laundered by a hospital or outside laundry service?

Do employees remove their lab coats/gowns when leaving the laboratory environment?

Do employees wear appropriate gloves when performing laboratory testing or phlebotomy?

Are gloves available in appropriate sizes for all workers at risk for exposure?

Are hypoallergenic gloves and liners available to workers who are allergic to latex?Are gloves removed when leaving the laboratory environment?

Are gloves removed when leaving the laboratory environment?

Documentation

Yes

No

Date Complete

Do you have copies of the Federal Register  for January 31, 1990, Vol. 55, No. 21, pp 3327-3335 (Chemical Hygiene) and December 6, 1991, Vol., 56, No. 235, pp 64175-64182 (Bloodborne Pathogen) and current CLSI documents M-29 and GP-17

Are safety training records on all employees kept three years?

Are medical records on all employees kept for the duration of employment plus 30 years?

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

Yes

No

Date Completed

Is the bloodborne pathogen written program available, current and has it been reviewed within the last year?

Do employees understand what Standard Precautions (formerly Universal Precautions/Body Substance Isolation) means?

Are lab coats and gloves removed before leaving the work area?

Are hands washed before leaving the work area?

Are sharps containers available and used?

Are sharps containers disposed of when three-fourths full?

Is mouth pipetting prohibited?

Do employees store food in a refrigerator specifically for food and not for specimens?

Is this refrigerator labeled “For Food Only”?

Do employees refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics and lip balm or manipulating contact lenses in the work area?

Have employees responsible for shipping diagnostic and infectious specimens been trained in accordance with the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations or International Air Transportation Association regulations, if applicable?

CHEMICAL HYGIENE

Yes

No

Date Completed

Is the Chemical Hygiene Plan available, current and reviewed within the last year?

Do employees know where the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are located?

Are the MSDS accessible to employees during all working hours?

Do employees know how to use the MSDS to look up spills and first aid for a chemical they use?

Are old MSDS archived?

Has the chemical inventory been performed and updated in the last 12 months?

Is there a list of carcinogens, mutagens and teratogens?

Has the chemical risk assessment been updated in the last year?

Are all manufactured chemical containers labeled with the appropriate chemical identity and hazard warning information?

Do transfer containers of chemicals properly labeled with a HIMS label or plain label with the name of the chemical, concentration, route of entry, health hazard, physical hazard, target organs effected, lab name, lot number and expiration date?

Yes

No

Date Completed

Are flammable or toxic chemicals kept in closed containers when not in use?

Are chemicals stored away from heat, sunlight or reactive substances?

Are incompatible chemicals stored separately (reference MSDS)?

Are chemicals not currently being used placed in the appropriate storage cabinet?

Are working supplies of chemicals limited to one gallon per 100 sq.ft.?

Are Class I flammable liquids that are refrigerated stored in devices listed as approved for Class I storage?

Are peroxide formers used only in approved laboratory hoods?

Do employees understand how to properly store chemicals?

Is environmental monitoring performed and documented where appropriate?

Are chemical spill kits/materials in date, maintained and available for use?

Are chemical spill kits identified by proper signage?

Have employees been trained in spill cleanup procedures including mercury and formaldehyde, if applicable?