Conducting
Laboratory Safety
Audits
Iowa State University
Please note that
this module has
been created as an
aid to those who
perform laboratory
safety audits.
It’s not a required
element of the
OSHA Laboratory
Standard for
Managers and
Supervisors training
module.
To minimize the
risk of accidents
and/or injuries,
the Iowa State
University
Chemical
Hygiene Plan
specifies that “a
program of
inspection shall
be developed
and conducted
by individual
departments
and laboratory
supervisors.”
Auditing and equipment testing frequencies are listed in the
Chemical Hygiene Plan. They specify that:

Chemical and general safety practices
shall be checked quarterly.

Eyewash stations shall be checked
monthly.

Safety showers shall be checked
annually by Facilities, Planning and
Management.

Fume hoods and biosafety cabinets
shall be checked annually by EH&S.

A complete laboratory walkthrough
audit shall be carried out by laboratory
personnel at least annually.
This module is
designed to
depict how to
perform a
walkthrough
laboratory audit.
Audit checklists
are available in
the Chemical
Hygiene Plan.
Assistance is
available from
EH&S staff. Call
294-5359 for
more
information.
This module is
not intended to
serve as a
comprehensive
guide to
laboratory safety.
It does provide
the basic
elements of a
laboratory safety
audit.
Work Practices
When performing
laboratory audits, check
to see that employees
are using prudent lab
practices.
Look for things like
open-toed shoes and
employees wearing
gloves outside of the
lab.
Appropriate personal
protective equipment is
paramount.
Check to see that lab
coats, goggles, gloves,
etc., are available, are
in good condition and
most importantly, that
they are used.
Disposable gloves
(white, purple) are
not suitable for use
with many chemicals.
Check to see that lab
employees are aware
of glove chemical
compatibility charts
and know how to use
them.
If latex gloves are
worn frequently,
apprise employees of
latex allergy hazards.
Ultraviolet (UV) light
from sources such as
the portable darkroom
at right can damage
the eye without
discomfort.
For this reason it’s
especially important
to use protective
eyewear.
Check to see that
eyewear is available
and ensure that it is
rated for UV light.
Employees should
always use
chemical safety
carriers for liquids
in glass
containers.
Food is never allowed in
labs, right?
Actually, it depends.
Food is not allowed in the
“working” area of the lab,
where experiments are
performed.
However, if a lab has a
separate area that serves
as an office or computer
workstation, it’s
reasonable to allow food
in that area.
Food is not permitted
anywhere in labs using
radionuclides.
Signs
Check to see that an emergency information card is
posted just outside of the main laboratory entrance.
Cards are available from EH&S, but any card will do as
long as it has the information shown below.
Emergency
Response signage
is required at the
lab entrance, the
lab suite/wing
entrance, and/or
the building
entrance.
Call EH&S for
details.
Refrigerators
should bear signs
indicating “no food”
and/or “do not
store volatile
materials in this
box,” as
appropriate (i.e.,
unless it’s a foodonly and/or an
explosion-proof
box).
Labels
Every
container in
the
laboratory
should be
labeled.
The Lab Standard
does not specify
hazardous chemical
labeling language.
However, every lab
employee must know
what the label means
and be able to
reference the label to
the appropriate
MSDS.
The rules for
hazardous waste are
more restrictive and
are detailed in the
waste section of this
module.
Emergency Equipment
Check to see
that emergency
equipment is
placarded to
hasten access
in the event of a
fire or accident.
Test eyewashes
and shower
stations
frequently
(FP&M will
provide this
service on
request).
Check to see that
fire extinguishers
are charged and
that they are
compatible with
the types of fires
(electrical,
flammable liquid,
etc.) that may
occur in the lab.
Know the
location of
emergency
shut-off
valves.
Access to
emergency
equipment is
essential.
Check to
ensure that
equipment is
not blocked.
Every lab must
have a first aid
and spill control
kit.
Spill control kits
are available at
Chemstores or
can be made
up by placing
kitty litter,
rubber gloves
and a couple of
heavy plastic
bags in a five
gallon bucket.
Where hazardous
materials such as
formaldehyde, phenol,
etc., are used, EH&S
strongly recommends
supplying respiratory
protection for cleanup
in the event of a spill.
Respirator training is
required for
employees who use
respirators (dust mask
use is exempted in
most circumstances).
Chemical Safety
Dry chemicals may be
stored alphabetically
or in any convenient
manner.
Liquid chemicals
should be stored by
class. Examples of
such groupings
include flammables,
organic acids,
mineral acids,
bases, oxidizers
and carcinogens.
Where storage
space is limited,
separation using
plastic tubs is
acceptable.
Flammable liquid
quantities of more
than one gallon
must be stored in
flammable liquid
containers.
If aggregate (total)
flammable liquid
quantities exceed
10 gallons, these
materials must be
stored in a
flammables storage
cabinet.
Avoid working with
open flame and
flammable liquids.
If this is not
possible, limit the
volume of
flammable material
in the work area.
Peroxide formers
must be marked
with date of receipt
and date of
opening.
The Chemical
Hygiene Plan
contains a
peroxide-former
safe storage
duration list.
Peroxide test kits
and strips are
available from most
chemical supply
houses.
Do not use
fume hoods
as storage
cabinets.
EH&S certifies fume
hoods annually. Check
the white card on the
fume hood for
certification date. (If a
fume hood is operating
marginally, a yellow
caution sign will be
posted on the hood; if
the hood fails
completely, a red
warning sign will be
posted.)
Many fume
hoods have air
flow alarms.
However, alarms
occasionally fail
or are
deliberately
silenced.
EH&S suggests
taping tissue to
the fume hood
sash to provide a
visual indication
of air flow.
It’s important not
to block fume
hood air flow.
When large
equipment is
placed in a fume
hood, place it on
blocks or
racking to allow
air flow under
the equipment.
The beta
radiation
shield
configuration
at right blocks
airflow and
significantly
reduces the
effectiveness
of the fume
hood.
When volatile
materials are
used on the
bench be sure
to review the
product MSDS.
If you suspect
exposure,
contact EH&S
for chemical
exposure
monitoring.
Where local exhaust
ventilation is used,
keep in mind that
effective contaminant
capture distance is
typically one duct
diameter. For example,
a six inch diameter duct
should be placed no
more than six inches
from the source.
Exhaust for hot
processes should
always be located
directly above the
source.
Biosafety
cabinets used
for
containment of
biohazardous
materials are
certified
annually by
EH&S. Check
to see that
biosafety
cabinets have
a current
EH&S
certification
label.
Compressed gas
cylinders deserve
respect. Cylinders not
in use must be secured
with a cylinder cap. All
cylinders must be
secured with a strap to
a wall, lab bench or
suitable equipment.
EH&S offers
compressed gas
training as part of the
Lab Safety Series.
Contact EH&S for
details.
Check to see that:

A Chemical Hygiene
Plan is available

Chemical
inventories are
current

MSDSs are
available for each
hazardous chemical

Standard operating
procedures are
written and available

Training records are
available
Electrical Safety
Electrical panels
should be labeled
and must have clear
access.
Check to see that
all outlets are
grounded and that
the polarity is
correct.
High voltage
equipment should
have interlocks (see
inset). If such
equipment lacks an
interlock, install a
ground fault circuit
interrupter (GFCI) to
reduce electrocution
hazards.
To test a GFCI,
press the “test”
button. The power
should shut off.
Occasionally GFCIs
fail to work as
designed (even
though pressing the
“test” button shuts
off the power).
To ensure a GFCI is
working properly,
contact EH&S for
testing.
Multi-outlet strips
must be UL
(Underwriter’s
Laboratories)
certified and should
not be used for
high-amperage
equipment such as
ovens and
refrigerators.
Extension cords are
not permitted in labs
except for
temporary (singleshift) use.
Check to see that all
power cords are in
good condition.
Replace or repair
those with cracked
housing, missing
grounding pugs, etc.
General Safety
Check to ensure
that heavy objects
are stored no more
than five feet off the
floor.
Where appropriate,
are ladders and/or
step stools available
and in good repair?
If metal sharps are
generated, does the
lab have a metal
sharps container?
Is there a rigid
container that can be
sealed available for
broken glass?
Mechanical hazards
such as this open drive
belt must be guarded.
Plastic tubing should
not extend below the
rim of a sink unless the
faucet is equipped with
a back flow prevention
device (see arrow,
inset).
Soap and towels must
be readily available.
Hazardous Waste
Is hazardous waste:

Stored in a
designated waste
accumulation area?

Labeled “Hazardous
Waste,” with the full
name of the
chemical contents?

Stored no more than
90 days?

Securely capped
except when adding
waste?
Used oil is not
considered hazardous
waste but it is regulated
under the Clean Water
Act.
Be sure oil is labeled
and stored securely,
and that employees
know to contact EH&S
for disposal.
Vacuum
pumps
should be
placed on a
tray to
catch oil
that
inevitably
leaks from
these units.
Vacuum
equipment
should be
trapped or
filtered as
appropriate.
Elemental mercury is a
hazardous material and is
quite toxic to humans,
especially via inhalation.
EH&S recommends
eliminating the use of
mercury whenever
feasible.
Catch trays are strongly
recommended.
Do lab employees know
what to do if mercury is
spilled in the lab?
Miscellaneous
Check to see that
employees know
where any laboratory
ventilation energy
conservation switches
are and know how to
use them.
Assign someone the
task of pouring water
down every drain in
the lab on a monthly
basis to keep foul
odors from entering
the laboratory.
Biological Safety
A biological safety audit
should also be
performed if any of the
following are used:

Recombinant DNA

Human pathogens

Animal pathogens

Biological toxins
(e.g. aflatoxin)
See the Iowa State
University Biohazards
Safety Manual for
details.
Finis