Work Health and Safety Laboratory
Inspection Checklist
(Note – For computer laboratories/learning spaces use Administration Area checklist)
Inspection team members:_________________________________________________________
Laboratory room no.:__________________________________ Inspection date:______________
Workplace inspections are planned, systematic appraisal of the workplace which:
 Identify health and safety hazards;
 Assess and control risks;
 Ensure a safe and healthy working environment, and
 Assist in complying with work health and safety legislation.
The University values the contribution of every staff member in making the University a safer and healthier place to
work.
The completion of workplace checks provides staff with an additional opportunity to identify hazards within their
immediate workplace, hazards that the University may not otherwise be aware of.
Workplace inspections can and do provide the basis for meaningful and productive consultation between staff, their
elected Health and Safety Representatives and the University.
The University recognises that a staff member undertaking an inspection is only able to identify hazards within the
limitations of their health and safety knowledge and experience.
For further advice about ergonomic assessments or any other health and safety matter please contact your WHS
Advisor or the WHS Unit at health.safety@utas.edu.au
Instructions:
Boxes to be marked with a tick (√) as items are sighted or with a cross (x) if not present. Otherwise N/A indicates the
item is not applicable to this laboratory. Any questions marked with a cross require a comment or detail to be noted
and for the relevant person to enter the appropriate action required, the responsible person for the action and
estimated completion date.
General House Keeping
The general area is tidy (benches, floor,
cupboards and shelves) and free of
obstruction and mess such as slip/trip
hazards (uneven floors, power leads etc)
All aisles are unobstructed and of
sufficient width (1m min.)
Spaces between and under benches,
cabinets and equipment are accessible
for cleaning
Lighting is functional and adequate
Hand basin or alternative means of
decontaminating hands is available
within the laboratory (must be hands
free in PC2 labs)
The lab safety manual is clearly available
e.g. on line, hard copy at central location
Template Date: July 2013
INSPECTION CHECKLIST - LABORATORY
University of Tasmania
Work Health and Safety Laboratory
Inspection Checklist
Facilities for the storage of outer
garments and personal items are
available outside of the laboratory
There is a procedure for waste disposal
and sufficient and appropriate
segregated waste disposal containers
There are appropriate sharps disposal
containers available
Exposure to noise is prevented
General ventilation, temperature and
humidity is sufficient
Signage Requirements
Entrance signage indicates
Authorised access only
No food or drink allowed
Warning signs are posted ie for
chemical, biological, radiation
Any other information ie PPE required
First aid signage is visible and contains
details of first aid officers for the area
Fire wardens with current contact
numbers signage is visible
Emergency exits are clearly marked with
exit doors being clearly visible, egress
clear and closed but not locked from the
inside
Emergency exit plans in prominent
positions
Safe work procedures are available,
ideally displayed next to equipment
Emergency Requirements
A first aid kit is available in the near
vicinity and adequate for type of work
undertaken
Fire equipment is appropriate,
accessible and free of obstruction
Fire extinguishers have been
inspected/tagged within the last 6
months
Safety shower is functional and checked
regularly
Emergency eyewash station is available
and checked regularly
Where an experiment is to be left
unattended overnight or at weekends,
are signs attached to equipment
indicating the relevant person to be
contacted in the event of a failure
Furniture and Equipment Requirements
Electrical equipment is inspected,
tested, tagged and in date
Equipment is in good order
Double adapters are not in use
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INSPECTION CHECKLIST - LABORATORY
University of Tasmania
Work Health and Safety Laboratory
Inspection Checklist
Extension leads are only used for
temporary, short-term connection
Power boards with RCD protection are
used if not enough GPOs (power points)
Fume cupboards and biosafety cabinets
have been tested and are in date
Fume cupboard is free of clutter and not
used for storage of chemicals
Chairs/stools are of appropriate height
eg Have more GPOs installed
PPE/Manual Handling
PPE is available, in good condition and
stored appropriately
Frequently used/heavy items area
stored between knee and shoulder
height
Ladders are accessible to access items
stored on high shelves if required. Short
ladders allowed but must comply with
ASNZS 1892 (2000)
Manual handling aids are available if
required e.g. Winchester containers,
trolleys etc
Chemical Aspects
A register of chemicals and Safety data
sheets (SDS) are available eg. On line or
central hard copy
Documented risk assessments are
available for chemical use
Appropriate labels are present on
containers are used to store hazardous
substances.
Containers are labelled correctly
Chemicals are stored according to
compatibility
Chemicals not in use are placed in
correct storage locations e.g. flammable,
corrosive cabinets
Flammables and corrosives are stored in
approved cabinets. Toxic/S8 are stored
in locked cabinet
Estimate and record the total volume of
flammable liquids stored in this
laboratory – assume that all bottles
present are full.
Are flammables stored in refrigerators?
Has fridge been modified or if not has a
risk assessment has been completed
Refrigerators are suitably labelled (eg no
food or drink, biohazard etc)
Is this section relevant?
[Yes]
[No] (if no, go to next section)
eg use RA within CMS
eg use labelling process with in CMS
database
Total volume =
There are bunding or spill trays for the
storage of hazardous liquids
Spill kits are available and maintained
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INSPECTION CHECKLIST - LABORATORY
University of Tasmania
Work Health and Safety Laboratory
Inspection Checklist
Segregated waste disposal containers
are available
Compressed/Liquified Gas Aspects
Is this section relevant?
[Yes]
[No] (if no, go to next section)
Is this section relevant?
[Yes]
[No] (if no, go to next section)
Is this section relevant?
[Yes]
[No] (if no, go to next section)
Is this section relevant?
[Yes]
[No] (if no, go to next section)
Compressed gas cylinder contents are
appropriately identified and in good
general condition
Cylinders are secured appropriately by
brackets/ chain
All cylinders are at least 3m away from
ignition sources and combustible
material
Empty cylinders are separated from full
ones and clearly labelled
Appropriate resources are available for
transporting gas cylinders
The pressure regulator is appropriate for
the gas being used
Gas lines are labelled and free of leaks,
kinks or signs or wear and tear.
All cylinders in the laboratory are
connected to equipment ie no storage in
lab
All reticulated gas lines are clearly
labelled
Gas Cylinder Storage Aspects
Cylinder storage areas are well
ventilated (in open air preferable)
Cylinder storage areas protected from
heat sources and fire risks
Cylinders stored upright and properly
secured
Cylinders are segregated according to
dangerous Goods class
Cryogenic Aspects
Dewars <25L have handles and loose
fitting lids
Dewars > 25L have wheels and pressure
release valves
Cryogen storage areas are appropriately
ventilated
Policies and procedures for transport
and decanting of liquid nitrogen
available to all staff and students
All cryogenic storage records are
current, adequate and accessible
Biosafety Aspects
There is appropriate Biosafety signage at
the laboratory entrance and storage
rooms
Safety documents including licences and
permits are current and available (eg
AQIS, GMO)
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INSPECTION CHECKLIST - LABORATORY
University of Tasmania
Work Health and Safety Laboratory
Inspection Checklist
All cultures or biohazardous materials
are correctly labelled
A supply of disinfectant for
decontamination purposes is available
and clearly labelled
All keyboards have protective covers
Documented risk assessments for use of
biological hazards are available
Appropriate waste segregation is
provided
Appropriate waste handling procedures
are in place ie autoclaving, disinfecting
etc)
PC2 Laboratories
Is this section relevant?
[Yes]
[No] (if no, go to next section)
Is this section relevant?
[Yes]
[No] (if no, go to next section)
Is this section relevant?
[Yes]
[No] (if no, go to next section)
There is appropriate PC2 signage at
laboratory entrance
Biohazard stickers are posted on storage
units for microorganisms or
recombinant or manipulated DNA
Protective covers area kept on
keyboards which are housed on
workbenches
Laboratory gowns are stored in a
manner that prevents crosscontamination
Biological safety cabinets area provided
and are in working order
A supply of clearly labelled disinfectants
for decontamination purposes is
available
Lasers
Documented risk assessments and safe
work procedures in place
All warning symbols are fixed, legible
and clearly visible on equipment
Correct warning labels are attached to
the equipment according to the class of
laser used
Guarding on lasers is effective and in
good condition ie beam stops and other
fail safe devices
Ionising Radiation Aspects
Access to area/room is limited only to
authorised persons
Suitable radiation/contamination
monitoring equipment available and in
working condition
Decontamination/emergency
procedures clearly displayed
Documented risk assessments and safe
work procedures available
Work surfaces impervious (not wooden
benches or tiled surface)
Appropriate shielding available
Template Date: July 2013
INSPECTION CHECKLIST - LABORATORY
University of Tasmania
Work Health and Safety Laboratory
Inspection Checklist
All sources are labelled and stored in
secure labelled location
Ultraviolet Radiation Aspects
Is this section relevant?
[Yes]
[No] (if no, go to next section)
Is this section relevant?
[Yes]
[No] (if no, go to next section)
Appropriate warning labelling in place
Appropriate shielding and/or interlocks
in place
Risk assessment and safe work
procedures clearly displayed
Machinery Safety Aspects
All hazardous parts of machines guarded
The guards are adequate to prevent
injury
The guards are adequate to prevent
flying debris causing injury
There is easy access to emergency stop
buttons
Instrument logs up to date
Standard operating procedures for
machinery and other equipment easily
available to users
eg rotating parts, pulleys, belts
eg cannot be moved while machinery in
operation
For HSR / Officer-in-Charge to complete:
Policies and procedures
All projects covered by risk
assessments
All tasks covered by up to date task
risk assessments (TRA)
All TRA documentation available and
easily locatable
Are induction records available for this
laboratory, if so, where are they filed?
Licences and permits/ Routine monitoring
What license or permits cover this
workplace/ work area? List and detail
specific items covered
List all routine monitoring and
inspections carried out for this
laboratory. Provide file reference and
frequency
List details of all other health and
safety reports for this area carried out
over the past 12 months ie manual
handling, ergonomic assessment, noise
Health and Safety
Representative
eg poisons - list applicable classes or schedules
eg annual fume cupboard inspection
Officer
Other Comments:
Template Date: July 2013
INSPECTION CHECKLIST - LABORATORY
University of Tasmania