Conducting Laboratory Safety Audits

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Conducting Laboratory Safety Audits
Iowa State University
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Please note that this module has been created as
an aid to those who perform laboratory safety
audits. Its not a required element of the OSHA
Laboratory Standard for Managers and Supervisors
training module.
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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.
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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 EHS.
• A complete laboratory walkthrough audit shall be
  carried out by laboratory personnel at least
  annually.

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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 EHS staff.
Call 294-5359 for more information.
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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.
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Work Practices
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• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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Ultraviolet (UV) light from sources such as the
portable darkroom at right can damage the eye
without discomfort. For this reason its
especially important to use protective eyewear.
Check to see that eyewear is available and
ensure that it is rated for UV light.
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Employees should always use chemical safety
carriers for liquids in glass containers.
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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,
its reasonable to allow food in that area. Food
is not permitted anywhere in labs using
radionuclides.
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Signs
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• Check to see that an emergency information card
  is posted just outside of the main laboratory
  entrance.
• Cards are available from EHS, but any card will
  do as long as it has the information shown below.

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Emergency Response signage is required at the lab
entrance, the lab suite/wing entrance, and/or the
building entrance. Call EHS for details.
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Refrigerators should bear signs indicating no
food and/or do not store volatile materials in
this box, as appropriate (i.e., unless its a
food-only and/or an explosion-proof box).
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Labels
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Every container in the laboratory should be
labeled.
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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.
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Emergency Equipment
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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 (FPM will provide this service on
request).
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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.
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Know the location of emergency shut-off valves.
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Access to emergency equipment is essential.
Check to ensure that equipment is not blocked.
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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.
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Where hazardous materials such as formaldehyde,
phenol, etc., are used, EHS 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).
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Chemical Safety
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Dry chemicals may be stored alphabetically or in
any convenient manner.
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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.
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Flammable liquid quantities of more than one
gallon must be stored in flammable liquid
containers.
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If aggregate (total) flammable liquid quantities
exceed 10 gallons, these materials must be stored
in a flammables storage cabinet.
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Avoid working with open flame and flammable
liquids. If this is not possible, limit the
volume of flammable material in the work area.
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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.
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Do not use fume hoods as storage cabinets.
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EHS 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.)
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Many fume hoods have air flow alarms. However,
alarms occasionally fail or are deliberately
silenced. EHS suggests taping tissue to the fume
hood sash to provide a visual indication of air
flow.
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Its 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.
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The beta radiation shield configuration at right
blocks airflow and significantly reduces the
effectiveness of the fume hood.
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When volatile materials are used on the bench be
sure to review the product MSDS. If you suspect
exposure, contact EHS for chemical exposure
monitoring.
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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.
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Biosafety cabinets used for containment of
biohazardous materials are certified annually by
EHS. Check to see that biosafety cabinets have
a current EHS certification label.
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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. EHS offers compressed gas training as
part of the Lab Safety Series. Contact EHS for
details.
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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

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Electrical Safety
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Electrical panels should be labeled and must have
clear access.
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Check to see that all outlets are grounded and
that the polarity is correct.
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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.
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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 EHS for
testing.
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Multi-outlet strips must be UL (Underwriters
Laboratories) certified and should not be used
for high-amperage equipment such as ovens and
refrigerators.
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Extension cords are not permitted in labs except
for temporary (single-shift) use. Check to see
that all power cords are in good
condition. Replace or repair those with cracked
housing, missing grounding pugs, etc.
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General Safety
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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?
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If metal sharps are generated, does the lab have
a metal sharps container?
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Is there a rigid container that can be sealed
available for broken glass?
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Mechanical hazards such as this open drive belt
must be guarded.
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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.
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Hazardous Waste
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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?

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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 EHS for disposal.
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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.
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Elemental mercury is a hazardous material and is
quite toxic to humans, especially via
inhalation. EHS 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?
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Miscellaneous
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Check to see that employees know where any
laboratory ventilation energy conservation
switches are and know how to use them.
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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.
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Biological Safety
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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.
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Finis