Workplace Safety Inspection Report

Workplace Inspection Checklist 2

(Laboratories, science stores etc) Building Room number(s) and name(s) Department/Faculty Inspection date Date of report 1 2 3 Inspection team: Minimum of two people:- Safety coordinator /Technician/Manager /Union Representative

Instructions:  This inspection form applies to areas such as; lecture theatres, teaching rooms, libraries, offices, staff kitchens and common rooms, corridors and reception spaces. Use Workplace Inspection Checklist 2 for Laboratories, science stores etc, Workplace Inspection Checklist 3 for Workshops and Studios and Workplace Inspection Checklist 4 for Cold rooms, tissue laboratories etc.  If the item is not relevant for that particular area, write NA (Not Applicable) in the ‘check’ box.  If there are no problems under a particular item, tick the ‘check’ box ().  If there is a problem, put a cross in the ‘check’ box (X) and in ‘Comments’ a brief description what is wrong  If you do sort it out immediately, still describe the problem and what you did and tick the relevant box if further action is required  After the inspection, send the checklist to your Line Manager/safety coordinator, who will track the actions and send a copy to the K Drive – Health & Safety Coordinators section.

Urgent No Action Action Comments Item Action Green Amber Red

General

1 The area is tidy and the floor free of clutter

2 Walkways are clear of obstructions and trip hazards (e.g. cables, boxes etc)

3 Laboratory entrance has suitable signage is in place

4 Emergency eyewash bottles are available, clearly visible and in date

5 Emergency shower (if available) is functional and serviced regularly

6 Lighting is adequate and operational Suitable for the tasks being undertaken

7 Benches are clear of clutter and clean

8 First aid notices are displayed and visible

1 Urgent Comments No Action Action Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Action Green Amber Red

9 The need for Personal Protective Equipment has been minimized by the use of other controls.

10 The Personal Protective Equipment provided (laboratory coats, safety glasses, face shields, masks, nitrile gloves) is suitable for use and being used correctly.

11 Personal Protective Equipment is in good condition and well maintained (laboratory coats laundered regularly).

12 Users are aware of the risks they are being protected from and given instruction and training in proper use.

13 The Personal Protective Equipment is stored correctly and safely to prevent damage.

14 The requirement to wear Personal Protective Equipment is enforced.

15 The Personal Protective Equipment is replaced when it becomes worn or damaged.

16 The Personal Protective Equipment is comfortable and fits well.

17 Personal Protective Equipment is suitable for the purpose it is being used (face visor will protect from chemical splashes etc)

2 Equipment Urgent Comments No Action Action Action Green Amber Red

18 All electrical equipment bears a current inspected/ tested label and is not obviously damaged (including extension leads)

19 Microwave ovens bear a current inspected for leaks label (as well as electrical test label)

20 Extension leads are not overloaded or daisy chained

21 Equipment (ladders, stepladders) used to access material stored at height is inspected and tagged

22 All staff workstations have been assessed by the user

23 Manual handling aids (trolleys, sack trucks etc.) are in good condition, inspected and tagged

24 Refrigerators used to store flammable materials are suitably modified for spark suppression by the manufacturer and spill trays are emptied regularly

25 Waste disposal facilities are appropriate to the space

26 Local exhaust ventilation equipment is available and functional

27 Local exhaust ventilation equipment is regularly cleaned and maintained

28 Local exhaust ventilation equipment is uncluttered, in good condition and has been inspected with the last year

29 Users of Local exhaust ventilation equipment have been trained and instructed on safe use of the equipment including emergency procedures if the equipment fails

30 Centrifuges are inspected and tested by an appointed engineer within the last year

31 Locks are in place for preventing unauthorised use of ultra-centrifuges and records of use are maintained

32 Users are trained to use the equipment

33 Users are trained in emergency action / mop up / decontamination procedures following a spill

3 Chemicals Urgent Comments No Action Action Action Green Amber Red

34 Substances used in the laboratory have been assessed and are adequately controlled under COSHH Safety Data sheets / COSHH 35 assessments for all chemicals and cleaning solutions are available in a central folder

36 Safer substances and materials have been substituted where possible

Work is organized to eliminate / 37 minimize handling of hazardous materials wherever possible Training has been provided in the safe 38 use / handling of chemicals and emergency action for dealing with spills, splashes etc

39 Chemicals, solvents and reagents are labeled clearly and correctly including hazard warnings and precautions required

40 Chemicals are stored according to compatibility

41 Flammable substances are stored in appropriate cabinets

42 Corrosive substances are stored in appropriate cabinets

43 Poisons are stored in locked cabinets and an issue procedure is in use

44 There are spill trays and/or bunding for storage of hazardous liquids

45 Spill kits appropriate to the materials stored are available and emergency procedures are in place

46 Carriers are available to transport 2.5 Litres containers (Winchesters) and waste containers

47 Dust and fume producing equipment is adequately enclosed / isolated

48 Benches are kept clean and clutter free

49 Balances are cleaned after use and chemical spills dealt with immediately 4 Waste disposal Urgent Comments No Action Action Action Green Amber Red

50 Segregated waste disposal containers are available and clearly labeled

51 Users of the laboratory are trained and information is available for disposal of waste chemicals

52 Solid waste containers are available and emptied regularly

53 Broken glass container is available and emptied regularly

54 Solvent waste is labeled correctly and not allowed to accumulate

55 Sink and washing up areas are clean and clutter free

56 Disposal routes are clearly identified (buckets labeled for rinsed glassware etc)

57 Autoclaves have been inspected as pressure vessels by an appointed engineer within the last year and are serviced regularly

5 Compressed gas cylinders Urgent Comments No Action Action Action Green Amber Red

58 Storage of gas cylinders is kept to a minimum and segregated by type; full and empty cylinders are stored separately. Empty cylinders should be kept to a minimum

59 Cylinders are prevented from falling by bracket, chains or stable stands

60 Cylinder trolleys are available and used for transport

61 Regulators are tagged and less than five years old

62 Appropriate gas cylinder labels are displayed

63 Personal protective equipment (safety glasses, gloves and safety boots/shoes) is available and used as necessary

64 Staff who change cylinders are appropriately trained and a register maintained

6 Cryogenics Urgent Comments No Action Action Action Green Amber Red

65 Dewars < 25 litres have handles and loose fitting lids Dewars > 25 litres have wheels and 66 pressure release valves and have been inspected by an authorised person within the last year 67 Personal Oxygen depletion monitors are available to staff when transporting larger volumes (25litres +)

68 Cryogen storage areas are appropriately ventilated

69 Appropriate cryogen labels are displayed

70 Personal protective equipment (face visor, gloves and safety boots/shoes) is available and used as necessary

71 Staff who use or transfer cryogens are appropriately trained and a register kept

7 Biohazards Urgent Comments No Action Action Action Green Amber Red

72 Appropriate biohazard warning labels are displayed

73 Authorized personnel only signage is present for tissue culture and microbiological laboratories.

74 Users of tissue culture and microbiological laboratories are instructed and trained in biological safety, use of safety cabinets, containment and decontamination procedures

8 75 Biological safety cabinets are uncluttered, in good condition and have been inspected, tested and serviced by an appointed engineer within the last year

76 Biohazard labels are fixed to storage units (incl. fridges) for microorganisms, human tissue / blood products or recombinant or manipulated DNA

77 Containers for autoclavable waste are available and are removed when full

78 Appropriate disinfectant is available to users along with manufacturers guidelines

79 Appropriate containers are available for transporting bio hazardous materials between laboratories

80 Hand washing facilities and appropriate antimicrobial soap solutions are available at exit points

81 Storage is available for personal protective equipment (laboratory coats etc)

82 Computer keyboards in laboratory areas have protective covers

83 Carbon Dioxide incubators are in good condition and have been inspected, tested and serviced by an appointed engineer within the last year

84 Oxygen depletion monitors are present in the area and are working

85 Staff are trained and know how to respond to Oxygen depletion alarm sounding

Radiation(ionizing and non-ionising) Urgent Comments No Action Action Radioactive materials and Ionising Radiation Action Green Amber can only be used on Licensed areas. Red

86 Warning signs are present on all ultraviolet sources

87 Users are trained and a training record kept

88 Skin and eye protection is available and in use when ultraviolet lamps are being used

9 89 X-rays are generated only in rooms, or delineated areas of rooms, dedicated for that purpose

90 All X-ray equipment is being used in accordance with the local rules and risk assessment

91 All staff using X-rays are appropriately trained and training records are kept

92 Warning signs are displayed on all rooms in which X-ray equipment is used

93 Illuminated signs warn when X-rays are on

94 Subjects exposed to medical X-rays are made aware of any risk and exposures are appropriately recorded

Magnets and Strong magnetic fields Urgent Comments No Action Action (NMR) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Action Green Amber spectrometers Red

95 Warning signs are present on access doors to the area warning people with implants and pacemakers of the strong magnetic hazard

96 Authorized personnel only signs are in a prominent place at the entrance of the room

97 Personnel entering the room receive a Health & Safety induction prior to commencement of work (estates and contractors)

10 98 Magnets are correctly stored

99 Is tool control operating for contractors and engineers working in the area ensuring good housekeeping?

100 Air handling units are working effectively and inspected regularly by an authorised person

101 Oxygen sensors and alarms working correctly and on a regular testing scheme

102 Pipework and cabling are kept tidy and signage in place to prevent trips

Urgent Comments No Action Action Class 3 and 4 lasers Action Green Amber Red

103 Warning signs are present on all class 3 or 4 lasers

104 Lasers are used only in rooms, or areas of rooms, dedicated to that purpose

105 All laser equipment is being used in accordance with the local rules and risk assessment

106 Warning signs are displayed on all rooms in which lasers are used

11 107 Interlock mechanisms to prevent exposure to laser radiation are fitted and working

108 Lasers are on the University register

109 All staff and students using lasers are appropriately trained and training records are kept