I
in the Chemical laboratory
CXXII. Laboratory Safety Inspection-A
NORMAN V. STEERE, 140 Melbourne Ave., S.E. Minneapolis, Minn. 554 14
Ed~tedby
Check List
J. H. Kimzey, Materials Technology Branch, The Lyndon B. Johnson SDace Center, ES-5, Houston, Texas 77058 The average laboratory worker may have difficulty making a quantitative assessment of safety in his work area. The list provided below should give both an overall evaluation of safety conditions as well as denote the areas which are the weakest. Although safety requirements vary, this list is general and should he applicable for all types of laboratories. In utilizing the list to evaluate your laboratory, answer "Yes" or "No" to the questions. Answer "Yes" if the condition is not applicable. The score is based on the percentage of "Yes" answers. Keep the answer sheet and attempt t o improve conditions indicated to be weak. Take the test again periodically and compare the results. Modify the list of questions as you consider appropriate.
ACCESSIBILITY
1. Are office spaces located separate from the laboratory area? 2. la the access to the emergency exit clear? 3. Is there free access to safety showers? 4. Are there two exits from each room? 5. Are hallways, firedoors, fire escapes, etc. of proper size? 6. Are hallways, firedoors, fire escapes, etc. kept clear? 7. Are all ladders and stools in good condition and properly stored? 8. Are fire and medical facilities located close enough? 9. Is there a designated area nearby for employee smoking, ete.? 10. Does each facility have a posted list (up-to-date) containing home telephone numbers and names of persons to contact far emergencies detected after hours? ELECTRICAL
1. Is emergency lighting provided? 2. Does emergency lighting turn on automatically during power failure? 3. Is emergency lighting routinely checked? 4. Are all power circuits properly protected? 5. Are outlets in excess of 110 volts properly labeled? 6. Is electrical equipment properly grounded? 7. Is electrical grounding routinely checked? A182
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8. Does electrical equipment have identification of circuit breakers? 9. Is static electricity protection provided? 10. Are all power switches correctly labelled? ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 11. Is all wiring of adequate size? 12. Is electrical insulation routinely checked? 13. Are electrical access panels equipped with electrical interlocks? 14. Are adeauate "HIGH VOLTAGE signs dis&yed correctly? 15. Are warning tags available and used correctly? 16. Is all electrical equipment routinely inspected and removed from use if defective in any way? 17. Are belts and gears properly guarded? 18. Are electrical controls guarded where
...a
am
feature
appropriate? 19. Are el$etrical appliances in use all approved? 20. Are batteries recharged in a safe manner? (charge rate, venting, ete.) EYE PROTECTION
1. Is an eye wash fountain or hose provided? 2. Are contact lenses prohibited? 3. Is the eye wash fountain in the proper location and accessible? 4. Have employees and students been instructed in the use of the eye wash: removal of contact lens, duration of wash, and need to "roll" the eyes? 5. Are goggles or face shields required for appropriate operations? 6. Are goggles or face shields provided for d l occupants of the room? 7. Are gaggles provided for all visitors? 8. Is there a hood provided with proper airflow? 9. Does hood have laminated safety glass? 10. Has medical facility been briefed on all possible eye injuries in the lab?
RESULTS Yes Accessibility Electrical Ere Protection Fire + Explosion High Pressure Radiation Taxicity Training
No --
Percent "Yes"
Total:
FIRE AND EXPLOSION Does each space have an appropriate fire extinguisher? (type and size) Is the fire department notified the same day an extinguisher is used? Is smoking prohibited within the laboratory? Are safety showers provided in proper locations? Are safety showers functionally checked? Are fire blankets provided? Are all occupants familiar with all fire extinguishing equipment? Are flammable liquids kept in protected areas, according to flash point? (In double wall metal or one-inch plywood cabinets) Are quantities of flammable liquids, in unprotected areas, less than the amounts in NFPA Standards 56C, 30, or 49A? Are walls, floors, and ceilings constructed to withstand a one hour fire? Is there a designated, approved waste solvent container? Is the waste solvent container properly grounded? Do refrigerators and freezers for storage of flammables have ignition
Percent "Yes"
Date-
sources removed? (interior lights, fans, defrost heaters and motors) Are centrifuges, stirrers, and other motor-driven equipment used in the same room as flammable liquids approved far use in flammable vapors? Are perehloric acid, perchlorates and other chemicals subject to the produetion of shock sensitive compounds, such as ethers, properly stored? Are chemicals with a limited shelf life, such as 90 days for ether, properly dated and disposed of? Does hood have a fan indicator light that works properly? Are fuels and oxidizers properly spaced? Are Class A flammables kept out of laboratory areas? Are ovens rated for internal explosions? Are ovens kept separated from f l m mable liquids? Are fire detectors installed? Does building have a fire alarm? Do all employees know what to do if alarm sounds? Do all employees know how to call the fire department? Is a routine fire inspection made? (Continued onpage A 1851
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Safety
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Are all employees made aware of violations? Was every safety violation corrected before the neat inspection? Is there a feed-back system to management on fire safety violations? Are employees and students trained for leaving the work area safely with 95 percent smoke obscuration? Do they recognize that carbon dioxide from an extinguisher can cause them to pass out during a fire? Do they know how to clean up a spilled flammable liquid? Do employees have a qualified person they can question regarding fire safety? Does each laboratory have an employee assigned safety responsibility? Does the safety assignment rotate to include all employees?
HIGH PRESSURE Are pressurized gases properly labeled? Are pressurized gases properly stored and tagged? Are pressurized gas bottles securely strapped a t all times? Are regulators always used in dispensing pressurized gas? Are pressurized gases transported only with regulators removed and safety covers installed? Are all pressure gages equipped with burst discs to prevent an over-pressure from driving the cover glass towards the operator? Are all pressurized test vessels containing a fuel, oxidizer, and ignition energy properly equipped with a burst disc whieh is properly contained? Do persons working with test vessels equipped with a burst disc recognize that the burst disc cannot vent a detonation? Are unused cylinders removed, as well as empty ones? Are damaged or corroded gas cylinders removed from the laboratory? Do employees and students have ap~ r a ~ r i a t safety e instruction with flammable gases such as the visibility of hydrogen flames and prohibition regarding copper or brass in acetylene systems? Are employees working with cryogenics trained regarding the pressures developed in confined cryogenics, the danger of liquifying air and various flammable gases, and first aid for cryo burns?
RADIATION 1. Are all radiation sources monitored routinely? 2. Are all radioactive materials properly stored? (includinz all flasks and beakers) 3. Are radioactive materials properly handled?
4.
5.
6. 7.
8. 9.
Do all employees wear film badges or other dosimeters? Are employees given dosimeter results? Is skin and clothing of employees periodically checked? Are complete records of radiation materials kept? Are detectors periodically calibrated? Is radioactive waste handled proper-
-, IV? .
10. Do employees and students know what t o do if a radioactive spill occurs?
TOXICITY 1. Is food and drink prohibited in the laboratory area, including gum, candy, cough drops, aspirin, etc.? 2. Are toxic materials labeled completely? 3. Are toxic materials stored and handled properly? 4. Are all known carcinogens labeled "Cancer-Suspect Agent"? 5. Are all known carcinogens stored and handled properly? 6. Are adequate gloves provided? 7. Are protective garments properly laundered or disposed of? 8. Are all employees and students aware of whieh chemicals produce intoxication, giddiness, stupor, or other neurological abnormalities? 9. Is the medical department kept aware of chemicals in use? 10. Is food prohibited from laboratory ovens and refrigerators? 11. Are amyl nitrate ampoules available where cyanides are used?
TRAINING 1. Are all personnel involved in all areas of training? 2. Are employees given training assignments? 3. Can employees and students spot hazardous conditions? 4. Can employees operate all emergency equipment? 5. Do employees and students know bow to assist by properly shutting down equipment? 6. Is training realistic? Are results of violations truly comprehended? 7. Do employees and students know the effect of igniting vapors after a gallon of acetone or methanol has spilled? 8. Are employees trained t o know what their insurance covers regarding a labaratorv accident? ' ~ ~ 3of their lfgd lin9 .Arc e I T ) P ~ ~ )aware hrhty regarding n ro-uorkcr? 10. Arc employr- and graduate students trained to avoid certain operations eacept when two or more persons are present? Are adequate, up-to-date safety references kept where they are available t o all employees and students? Are new employees and graduate students given a thorough safety indoctrination course before starting to work? Volume 52, Number 3,March 1975
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