Biology Department Chemical Hygiene Plan Inspection Form
Chemical Hygiene Plan
Is a copy of the Biology Department’s Chemical Hygiene Plan in the lab?
Have the students and lab employees participated in a safety orientation covering the contents of the
Chemical Hygiene Plan and specific lab safety hazards?
Are visitors informed of the plan, advised of lab hazards, and provided the same level of PPE required for
students and employees?
Training
Do the students and lab workers know:
The location of the chemical hygiene program?
Know how to access information about PELs and TLVs?
Know the location of the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Signs and symptoms associated with hazardous materials in the lab?
Physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the lab?
Emergency procedures following a chemical spill, fire or other potential
emergencies?
Proper and safe work practices and procedures when working in a lab, i.e., – no mouth pipetting,
unauthorized experimentation, following proper biological and chemical handling techniques?
Have lab workers been trained in:
Decontamination procedures for students experiencing chemical contact?
The bloodborne pathogen standard and how to respond using universal precautions?
How to respond to an emergency in the lab or on campus?
Reporting procedure for large chemical or flammable material spill?
How to respond to a small chemical or flammable material spill?
Proper chemical storage and segregation of incompatible substances?
Safe transportation of chemicals between storage rooms and labs, and across campus?
Flammable Liquids and Fire Protection
Use:
No more than 1 gallon of flammable liquids may be used in the laboratory at any one time.
Adequate precaution must be taken to prevent ignition of flammable vapors.
Class I liquids are used only when there are no open flames or other sources of ignition.
Flammable liquids are to be kept in approved, air-tight containers when not being used.
Where flammable or combustible liquids are used provisions must be provided for safe disposal of spilled
materials.
Places for transferring flammable or combustible liquids at adequate distance from other operation, spill
containment and proper ventilation must be provided.
Are bonding and grounding straps used when flammables are used and static electricity is a possibility?
Are flammables stored outside of flammable cabinets limited to daily working amounts?
Storage:
Only approved flammable containers are used for storage of flammable and combustible materials.
Store flammable or combustible liquids in approved, closed containers. Containers should be opened only
while dispensing liquids.
Storage of flammables is limited to use required for maintenance and lab operation. Flammable liquids are
kept in approved closed containers, flammable storage cabinets or in an approved storage room.
Fire Prevention:
Have lab personnel and students trained in fire extinguisher use?
Are Emergency Phone Numbers Posted: 9-911 from campus phones or 911 from all other phones?
Do students understand the stop, drop and roll rule if clothing is on fire?
Is flammable waste placed in tightly closed metal containers?
Are explosion-proof refrigerators installed and utilized as needed?
Chemical Use & Storage
Has the laboratory provided chemical hazard information and training to employees initially assigned to work
with hazardous chemicals or involving new exposure situations?
Has the laboratory identified hazardous chemicals used?
Are chemical containers labeled and capped?
Are chemical containers organized, well maintained and stored by type?
Are incompatible chemicals segregated both vertically and horizontally?
Yes
No
Are liquid materials stored below eye level?
Do storage practices reflect recognized ergonomic recommendations relative to weights and heights?
Are special hazard chemicals, such as peroxide formers, shock sensitive, water or air reactive, properly
stored?
Are eating, drinking, using tobacco products or applying cosmetics prohibited in the lab?
Fume Hoods
Can the student or lab worker gauge fume hood flow performance?
Are equipment or chemical containers restricting air flow by blocking channels or slots in the hood?
Is equipment located and work performed at least 6 in away from the hood opening?
Are all electrical outlets grounded and/or provided with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI)?
Is the sash positioned at the appropriate height during use?
Can the sash be opened and closed fully?
Is the housekeeping condition in hood acceptable?
Do students and lab workers understand air flow patterns and causes of disruption in the hood?
Is storage of chemicals in the hood strictly prohibited?
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Are compressed gas cylinders secured in upright position during use, transport and storage?
Are compressed gas cylinders capped when not in use?
Are compressed gas cylinders labeled?
Have students demonstrated proficiency when opening or closing the cylinder and regulator?
Are the students aware of the dangers of compressed gas cylinders in laboratory settings?
General Lab Safety & Housekeeping
Are working areas, passageways, storerooms and service rooms maintained in a clean, orderly, and sanitary
condition?
Are exits unobstructed and unlocked?
Are floors maintained free of slip, trip or fall hazards at all times?
Are step stools or ladders readily accessible for use by all students and employees?
Are directions of egress clearly identified and review with students and lab workers?
Are emergency meeting locations known to all students and employees?
Are fire detection equipment, smoke alarms, sprinkler systems, lighted exit signs in good operating condition?
Are glass containers prohibited from being stored on the floor in labs and storage areas?
Are lab work surfaces maintained free of clutter?
Are sinks maintained free of contaminates and glassware?
Are safety instruction signs used where there is a need for general information and suggestions relative to
specific safety measures?
Are eyewash and safety showers ‘bump checked’ on a regular basis and the test documented?
Are eye wash and safety showers maintained in a clean and sanitary manner?
Is the access to eyewash and safety shower maintained free ob obstructions?
Is appropriate eye protection available and used when required?
Are chemical resistant gloves provided and appropriate for the materials being handled?
If lab coats are required, are they provided and worn?
Hazardous Chemical Waste Procedures
Does the lab generate hazardous waste?
Are the appropriate sink disposal guidelines posted and followed?
Do students and lab workers know proper waste disposal procedures?
Is there a person responsible for coordinating hazardous waste handling and disposal?
Are the labeling requirements for chemical waste containers known?
Are labels on waste containers dated and properly completed?
Are chemical waste containers kept at the point of generation and only removed by an authorized employee?
Is there a segregation process by hazard class: oxidizers, flammables, acids, bases, water-reactive materials,
potential explosive materials in the lab?
Is waste stored in a designated and appropriate place in the lab?
Is the process for removal or disposal of hazardous waste known?
Are there unused or outdated chemicals stored in the lab?
Is the emergency spill kit contents appropriate for the hazards in the lab, and maintained as needed?
Is the location of extra chemical waste containers, labels and disposal forms known?
Infectious Waste
Does the lab generate infectious waste?
Are proper infectious waste containers being used?
Are containers kept closed except when waste is being disposed?
Is the container properly labeled?
Is the waste treated in an autoclave?
Are autoclave records being maintained?
First Aid
Are first aid supplies kept in the lab? First Aid Kits available?
Biosafety
Are you a biological or biomed type lab?
Standard good microbio practice used?
Handwashing sink available in lab?
Biohazard signage in lab (in needed)?
Biosafety cabinet in use?
Biosafety cabinet used properly?
Biosafety level of the lab
Are Containers of suspect Carcinogens labeled “Cancer Suspect Agent” and prominently displayed?
Are Entrances to regulated area should have signs with the legend?
Cancer Suspect Agent
Authorized Personnel Only
Are Employees working in regulated areas receiving training with regard to working with carcinogens?
For work with particularly hazardous chemicals such as select carcinogens, reproductive toxins and high acute
toxic chemicals, have you:
Established a designated area?
Provided applicable protections?
Has the laboratory developed a decontamination procedure?