EHS Inspections

 

The Chemistry Department conducts biannual inspections of its Laboratories. These inspections are done by the Chemistry Department EH&S Committee and usually consist of the EH&S Coordinator and either a faculty member or graduate student. Starting in January, 2004 these inspections will officially be known as Level II Inspections. During the second biannual inspection, a member of the EH&S Office will accompany the inspection team and assist in the inspection process. These inspections are unannounced.

 

 

 

 

(1)     Are there green Emergency Information Cards on the door of each laboratory?  Are they up-to-date, with all researchers listed, including home phone numbers?

  

(2)     Are eye protection signs posted on the door of each laboratory?

(3)     Are visitor safety glasses available at the entrance to all (or most) labs?

(4)     Is the laboratory equipped with sufficient working eyewashes and are they periodically tested by the EH&S Representative?

(5)     Are the safety showers accessible (not obstructed) and have they been tested in the past year?

(6)     Are there an adequate number of fire extinguishers in the laboratory and are they easily accessible (not obstructed)?  Is a bucket of sand or other means for extinguishing a reactive metal fire available?

(7)     Are spill pillows available close to every area where flammable materials are being stored or are in use?

(8)     Is there a group spill control kit in the laboratory?

(9)     Are all of the ceiling sprinklers and circuit breaker boxes unobstructed?

   (10)    Is there a copy of the new edition of Prudent Practices available for reference by group members?

(11)    Are flashlights located in an easy-to-find place for use in the event of a power failure?

 

 

 

(12)    Other comments (continue on back):

(1)     Have all lab personnel (including visiting scientists and undergraduates) attended the Chemical Hygiene and Safety Lecture (or watched the video) and filed a Chemical Hygiene Clearance Form in Chemistry Headquarters?  (Ascertain by questioning EH&S Representative)

   (2)       When was the last group review of safety matters held?  Remind the Group Safety Coordinator that every group must hold a "refresher training session" at least once or twice each year and that written records (e.g. a sign-up list of attendees must be maintained).

(3)     Are all lab personnel wearing safety glasses?  (Write names of people not wearing eye protection)

(4)     Is there any evidence that food or drink is being consumed in areas where hazardous chemicals are in use?

(5)     Are lab personnel conversant with the Chemical Hygiene Plan and with the particular hazards associated with the research going on in the laboratory?  What training is provided within the group (i.e. by the Research Supervisor)?  Can personnel provide SOPs for their research?  Note: the answers to these questions should be ascertained by discussions with the EH&S Representative and by informal interviews of lab personnel.

(6)     Does each group member have a copy of the Chemical Hygiene Plan at their work area?

(7)     Are there any undergraduate researchers working in this group (list names)?  Have they undergone the required training and completed a Chemical Hygiene Clearance Form?

 

 

(8)     Is the EH&S Representative performing weekly Level I inspections? How are problems resolved when they are identified during the inspection?

 

(1)     Are hoods free of clutter and are hood grills unobstructed?  (Note room numbers for violations)

(2)     Are hazardous operations restricted to hoods?

(3)     General housekeeping: e.g., are the aisles of the laboratory free of clutter?

(4)     Are all flammable liquids being stored properly? (i.e., no bottles on the floor, large containers should be below eye level, etc.).

(5)     Are all gas cylinders properly secured?

(6)     Are all vacuum pumps equipped with belt guards?

(7)     Are all flasks and other containers of chemicals labeled (except for those in current use) and stored properly?

(8)     Other comments (continue on back):

(1)     Waste Containers:  all must be located in Satellite Accumulation Areas and must be sealed with a cap.  Old labels must be defaced.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2)     Red Tags: contents must be listed by name, not formula.  Hazard boxes must be checked.  Tag must be legible (if necessary, inside plastic baggie).  Tags should not be dated until the container is full.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3)     Satellite Accumulation Areas: incompatible chemicals must be separated in different secondary containers.  No more than one container per class of waste is permitted in each SAA.  Must be inspected weekly (written log not required).

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4)     Storage Areas: Main Storage Area cabinets must be clearly marked and posted with "safety triangle".  If non-waste materials are stored in the same cabinet, they must be segregated in an area delineated with tape.  Containers must be in secondary containers.

 

 

 

(1)     Is there a suitable inventory file or list of all group hazardous chemicals?

(2)     Is the chemical storage stockroom (or storage area(s)) properly maintained?  (e.g., not overly crowded, all containers intact and labeled, no leaking containers, etc.).  Are incompatible chemicals stored separately?

 

(3)     Are the group storage refrigerators properly maintained?  (e.g., all containers intact and labeled, refrigerators not overcrowded, not in need of defrosting, etc.)

 

(4)     Are containers of ethers dated?

 

 

 

 

 

(1)     Is there a group inventory list of particularly hazardous substances (PHS¹s)?

 

(2)     Are all PHS¹s being stored properly?

 

(3)     Are designated area signs posted in all areas where PHS¹s are in use?

 

 

 

 

(4)     Are lab personnel aware of the special precautions associated with the handling and storage of PHS¹s?

(5)     Other comments (continue on back):

 

 

(1)     Are the areas where flammable chemicals are in use free of potential ignition sources?

 

(2)     Is all electrical equipment and wiring maintained in good condition?

 

(3)     Are all hoods clear of electrical equipment such as variacs?

 

(4)     Other comments (continue on back):

 

 

List any accidents (serious enough to require the filing of a report) that have occurred since the last inspection.  Were accident reports filed with the Chemical Hygiene Officer (Jim Doughty) and the Laboratory Supervisor? (Continue comments on reverse side if necessary).

 

 

(1)     Have all personnel using lasers attended the Laser Safety Lecture (or watched the video) and filed a Laser Safety Clearance Form in Chemistry Headquarters?

(2)     Are all lasers registered with the Radiation Protection Office?

 

 

 

 

 

(3)     Have all personnel whose work involves class IIIa, IIIb, or IV lasers had a laser eye exam?

(4)     Are the doors to laser labs adequately posted with warning signs and equipped with flashing red lights?

 

(5)     Is appropriate protective eye-wear available and being used?  Is eye-wear for visitors available?

 

 

 

 

 

(6)     Are laser beams properly confined to laser tables and above or below eye-level (except when enclosed in flight tubes)?

(7)        General housekeeping: