Conducting Laboratory Safety

AuditsIowa State University

Please note that this module has been created as an aid to those who perform laboratory safety audits.

It’s not a required element of the OSHA Laboratory Standard for Managers and Supervisors training module.

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.”

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 EH&S.

A complete laboratory walkthrough audit shall be carried out by laboratory personnel at least annually.

Auditing and equipment testing frequencies are listed in the Chemical Hygiene Plan. They specify that:

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 EH&S staff. Call 294-5359 for more information.

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.

Work Practices

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.

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.

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.

Ultraviolet (UV) light from sources such as the portable darkroom at right can damage the eye without discomfort. For this reason it’s especially important to use protective eyewear. Check to see that eyewear is available and ensure that it is rated for UV light.

Employees should always use chemical safety carriers for liquids in glass containers.

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, it’s reasonable to allow food in that area.Food is not permitted anywhere in labs using radionuclides.

Signs

Check to see that an emergency information card is posted just outside of the main laboratory entrance. Cards are available from EH&S, but any card will do as long as it has the information shown below.

Emergency Response signage is required at the lab entrance, the lab suite/wing entrance, and/or the building entrance.Call EH&S for details.

Refrigerators should bear signs indicating “no food” and/or “do not store volatile materials in this box,” as appropriate (i.e., unless it’s a food-only and/or an explosion-proof box).

Labels

Every container in the laboratory should be labeled.

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.

Emergency Equipment

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 (FP&M will provide this service on request).

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.

Know the location of emergency shut-off valves.

Access to emergency equipment is essential. Check to ensure that equipment is not blocked.

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.

Where hazardous materials such as formaldehyde, phenol, etc., are used, EH&S 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).

Chemical Safety

Dry chemicals may be stored alphabetically or in any convenient manner.

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.

Flammable liquid quantities of more than one gallon must be stored in flammable liquid containers.

If aggregate (total) flammable liquid quantities exceed 10 gallons, these materials must be stored in a flammables storage cabinet.

Avoid working with open flame and flammable liquids. If this is not possible, limit the volume of flammable material in the work area.

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.

Do not use fume hoods as storage cabinets.

EH&S 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.)

Many fume hoods have air flow alarms. However, alarms occasionally fail or are deliberately silenced.EH&S suggests taping tissue to the fume hood sash to provide a visual indication of air flow.

It’s 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.

The beta radiation shield configuration at right blocks airflow and significantly reduces the effectiveness of the fume hood.

When volatile materials are used on the bench be sure to review the product MSDS. If you suspect exposure, contact EH&S for chemical exposure monitoring.

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.

Biosafety cabinets used for containment of biohazardous materials are certified annually by EH&S. Check to see that biosafety cabinets have a current EH&S certification label.

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.EH&S offers compressed gas training as part of the Lab Safety Series. Contact EH&S for details.

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

Electrical Safety

Electrical panels should be labeled and must have clear access.

Check to see that all outlets are grounded and that the polarity is correct.

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.

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 EH&S for testing.

Multi-outlet strips must be UL (Underwriter’s Laboratories) certified and should not be used for high-amperage equipment such as ovens and refrigerators.

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.

General Safety

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?

If metal sharps are generated, does the lab have a metal sharps container?

Is there a rigid container that can be sealed available for broken glass?

Mechanical hazards such as this open drive belt must be guarded.

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.

Hazardous Waste

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?

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 EH&S for disposal.

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.

Elemental mercury is a hazardous material and is quite toxic to humans, especially via inhalation.EH&S 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?

Miscellaneous

Check to see that employees know where any laboratory ventilation energy conservation switches are and know how to use them.

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.

Biological Safety

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.

Finis