USC EHS LABORATORY INSPECTION FORM
CLOSED:
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:
DATE:
DEPARTMENT:
BLDG & ROOM(S):
LAB REP & EMAIL:
LAB CONTACT TELEPHONE#:
Y N N/A #
LAB TELEPHONE#:
AUDITOR:
DOCUMENTATION
ITEM
Possible Cause
http://ehs.sc.edu/LabSafety.htm
Corrective Action /
Due Date
Closed
1 Does laboratory have a current Chemical Hygiene Plan?
2 Has lab safety training been conducted and documented?
Has annual hazardous waste training been conducted and documented?
3 (http://ehs.sc.edu/training.htm)
4 Is a complete chemical inventory present?
5 MSDSs available for all chemicals in laboratory?
CHEMICAL STORAGE
Are chemicals stored in secured cabinets or on shelving? (not on floor or in hood)
Are all chemical containers properly labeled?
Are all chemicals stored correctly with regards to compatablity?
Are all chemicals dated upon receipt?
Is flammable chemical storage prohibited in non-explosion proof refrigerators?
Is there less than 10 gallons of flammable liquids outside a flammable storage
11 cabinet?
12 Is a fully and appropriately stocked spill kit available?
GAS CYLINDERS
13 Are compressed gas cylinders properly secured?
14 Are gas cylinders capped when not in use?
DISCARDED CHEMICALS
6
7
8
9
10
15 Are discarded chemicals stored in sealed/compatible containers? (including HPLC)
Are all containers properly labelled with contact information and chemical
16 constituents (i.e. no trade names or abbreviations/ formulas)?
FUME HOODS
17 Are annual fume hood evaluations current?
18 Is the fume hood kept uncluttered?
19 Is the sash kept in the closed position when hood is not in use?
PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
20 Are appropriate gloves available and worn?
21 Is proper eye and face protection available and worn when necessary?
22 Is a splash apron available and worn when pouring corrosive chemicals?
23 Are open-toed shoes prohibited?
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
24 Are eyewash/safety showers available?
25 Is the path to eyewash/safety showers unobstructed?
26 Are eyewash/safety showers flushed and inspected monthly?
27 Is a properly stocked first aid kit available?
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
28 Are extension cords being used properly and in good condition?
29 Is there at least a 3 foot clearance around breaker boxes?
FIRE SAFETY, EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
30 Are appropriate fire extinguishers available?
31 Are fire extinguishers unobstructed and mounted properly?
32 Have fire extinguishers been inspected monthly?
33 Has a copy of the lab's Emergency Action Plan been posted?
34 Has a Hazard Information Notice been completed and posted on lab entrance?
35 Are all aisles and exits marked and unobstructed?
OTHER
36 Is all broken glass disposed of in appropriate container? (not overfilled)
37 Is food storage, eating, drinking and smoking prohibited in the laboratory?
38 If the lab has HF, is it used & stored properly including first aid measures?
39 Has the lab contacted EHS if shipping hazardous materials?
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Please provide EHS with a description of how each deficiency was corrected, or a
EHS Office: (803) 777-5269, Fax: (803)777-5275
corrective action plan within 2 weeks of the inspection date. (Lab Rep. initial --->)
Email corrections to:
EHS-F-011
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Approved: BH
DOCUMENTATION
Does laboratory have a current Chemical Hygiene Plan?
Each laboratory must prepare and maintain a Chemical Hygiene Plan, which includes information about hazard communication, exposure
determination, medical consultation and exams, training and information, safe work practices and procedures, provisions for working with
particularly hazardous substances, exposure controls and personal protective equipment, fume hoods and ventilation, emergency procedures,
waste disposal, and facility specific systems and response plans. A copy of the Chemical Hygiene Plan must be available to each laboratory at all
times. A model plan is available through EHS.
Has lab safety training been conducted and documented?
All laboratory workers (including faculty, staff, graduate students, and undergraduates who work independently) must attend Laboratory Standard
Training and this training must be documented. All lab personnel must receive annual hazardous waste training, which must also be documented.
Contact Patty Hamilton at for more information about Laboratory Standard Training, 777-5269.
Has hazardous waste training been conducted and
documented?
Is a complete chemical inventory present?
Are MSDSs available for all chemicals in laboratory?
CHEMICAL STORAGE
Are chemicals stored in stable cabinets or shelving? (not on
floor or in hood)
Are all chemical containers properly labeled?
Are all chemicals stored correctly in regards to compatibility?
Are all chemicals dated upon receipt?
Is flammable chemical storage prohibited in non-explosion proof
refrigerators?
Is there less than 10 gallons of flammable liquids outside a flammable
storage cabinet?
Is a fully and appropriately stocked spill kit available?
RCRA (40 CFR 265.16) requires initial and annual review training for all Hazardous Waste generators.
OSHA requires all laboratories maintain a current chemical inventory. This inventory may be a database on a computer or a hard copy.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) received with chemical shipments must be retained by each laboratory. See the laboratory's Chemical
Hygiene Plan for location and procedures for MSDSs. MSDSs also may be available through EHS.
To prevent accidental spills, all chemicals must be stored on stable shelves or in cabinets. Chemicals must never be stored on the floor or in the
hoods. Corrosive liquid chemicals should be stored below eye level.
Chemical containers should be clearly labeled with at least a chemical name. The manufacturer’s label is best, as it usually contains a great deal of
information about health and physical hazards. When a chemical is transferred from the original container, the new container should be labeled.
Small containers may use other means of identification, such as a code or number system referenced to the user’s lab notebook.
All chemicals must be stored according to their compatibilities. For instance, acids and bases should not be stored together. Oxidizers must not
be stored with flammable chemicals. Please call 777-5269 for a chart on chemical compatibility. All chemical containers must be kept sealed at all
times.
To chemical shelf life and age, please place the date on the chemical label when it is received.
Flammable chemicals must not be stored in a non-explosion proof refrigerator. A spark could be given off by components of household
refrigerators, which could ignite the vapor of flammable chemicals causing an explosion or fire.
NFPA prohibits more than 10 gallons of flammable chemicals in the lab outside of a flammable storage cabinet. All flammable chemicals should be
stored in a flammable storage cabinet.
Pre-planning is essential to handling a chemical spill. A written Spill Control Plan should be available for each laboratory, considering the amounts
and types of chemicals used or stored in the lab. General procedures and a guide to developing Spill Control Plans are available in the
departmental Chemical Hygiene Plan and through EHS.
GAS CYLINDERS
Are compressed gas cylinders properly secured?
Are gas cylinders capped when not in use?
DISCARDED CHEMICALS
Are all discarded chemicals stored in sealed containers?
Are all containers properly labeled with contacted information
and chemical constitents ( I.e. no trade names or abbreviations/
formulas)?
FUME HOODS
Are annual fume hoods evaluations current?
Is the fume hood kept uncluttered?
Is the sash kept in the closed position when hood is not in use?
Compressed gas cylinders must be safely secured in an upright position while in storage or use. Information on the various ways to secure
cylinders is available from EHS.
Cylinders without attached regulators should have valve caps in place.
EPA [40 CFR 265.173(a)] requires containers holding hazardous waste to be closed during storage, except when it is necessary to add or remove
waste. In addition, 40 CFR 265 Subpart I states that the hazardous waste must be compatible with the container with which it is stored.
EPA (40 CFR 262.32) requires that all containers offered for transport be identified with generator information. DOT [49 CFR 172.301(b) and 49
CFR 172.308] requires that all packages offered for transport be marked with technical names without any abbreviations.
Health and Safety performs hood evaluations annually. If the hood in your lab has not been checked in the previous year, the inspector will notify
the proper person at Health & Safety.
The Chemical fume hood must be kept clean and uncluttered. Placing too many items in the hoods prevent them from working properly. Hoods
should be used as a work area with all unnecessary items and chemicals removed.
When not in active use, hood sashes should be lowered. During chemical manipulations, sashes should be set at or below the position indicated on
the Standard Operating Configuration sticker posted on the hood face.
PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT (PPE)
Are appropriate gloves available and worn?
Is proper eye and face protection available and worn when
necessary?
Is a splash apron available and worn when pouring corrosive
chemicals?
Are open-toed shoes prohibited?
EHS-F-011
There are many different types of gloves available for use with chemicals. It is very important that the proper glove is used. A glove chart is
available on the EHS website.
Employers are required to provide employees with the proper PPE in order to perform their job safely. For example, chemical splash goggles must
be worn when handling any corrosive chemicals. It is the responsibility of the supervisor to ensure all their employees wear the proper PPE.
A chemical splash apron must be worn while pouring corrosive chemicals
Feet are very vulnerable to spills and items falling, no open toed ( sandals) shall be worn in the lab.
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Are eyewash/safety showers available?
Is the path to eyewash/safety showers unobstructed?
Are eyewash/safety showers flushed and inspected routinely?
Is a properly stocked first aid kit available?
All laboratories in which corrosive chemicals are used or stored must have a safety shower and eye wash. This equipment must be within 20 feet of
the hazard.
The path to and area around the safety shower unit must be kept clear at all times to allow access to the shower in case of an emergency. A good
method to prevent personnel from placing items in this space is to place brightly colored tape on the floor marking off an area approximately two (2)
square feet around the safety shower.
The safety shower and eyewash must be flushed monthly to test water flow and keep the lines free of contaminates. Records of these flushing
must be kept.
All laboratories are required to have a first aid kit to treat minor cuts and burns. Please make sure the kit is well stocked and all out of date supplies
are removed.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Are extension cords being used properly and in good condition?
Is there at least a 3 foot clearance around breaker boxes?
FIRE SAFETY, EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
Are appropriate fire extinguishers available?
Are fire extinguishers unobstructed and mounted properly?
Have fire extinguishers been inspected within the last year?
Has a copy of the lab's Emergency Action Plan been posted?
Has a Hazard Information Notice been completed/posted on lab
entrance?
Are all aisles unobstructed and exits marked/unobstructed?
Extension cords may not be used in place of permanent wiring. Additional electrical outlets should be installed to service equipment needs.
Each laboratory must have the proper fire extinguisher mounted by the door in the lab. Please call Fire Safety 777-5269 for a fire extinguisher and
information on usage.
Every fire extinguisher must be mounted near the door by an exit and remain unobstructed at all times
The Fire Safety Department inspects the fire extinguisher on an annual basis. The lab personnel must inspect the fire extinguishers monthly.
Every department must have an Emergency Action Plan which details emergency reporting procedures, escape routes, and employee assembly
and accountability procedures. A model program is available through EHS.
NFPA 45 requires facilities to be identified by signs to warn emergency personnel of the hazards they may be exposed to in the laboratory.
University policy requires the use of the Hazard Information Notice for this purpose. Contact information, including names and phone numbers,
must be up to date. Please refer to the Environmental Health and Safety’s Program Guide for assistance in completing this notice.
To facilitate quick evacuation in the case of an emergency, the aisles and exits must remain unobstructed at all times. Each exit must be marked
clearly.
OTHER
Is all broken glass disposed of appropriate containers? (not
overfilled)
Is food storage, eating, drinking and smoking prohibited in the
laboratory?
EHS-F-011
To prevent the custodial staff from getting injured handling the trash, all broken glass must be disposed in a plastic lined cardboard box. DO NOT
OVERFILL. The box must be sealed with tape when full and labeled “ Broken Glass” and placed by the trash. All sharps (syringes and needles)
must be placed in a sharps container. Call Health and Safety for more information.
Foodstuff is not permitted in a chemical environment. Eating or drinking is prohibited in any chemical laboratory.
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Destroy Previous Revisions
Issue Date: 2/4/09
Approved: BH