LABORATORY SAFETY MANUAL

Site Map of Manual

Lab Safety Manual
1st Page

Chapter 1
Emergency Response

Chapter 2
General Safety

Chapter 3
Chemical Hygiene Plan

Chapter 4
Radiological Safety

Chapter 5
Biological Hygiene Plan

Chapter 6
Laser Safety

Chapter 7
Administrative Concerns

Chapter 8
Standard & Special Operating Procedures

Chapter 9
Facility Data

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Appendicies

Bibliography

Glossary

Index

On-Campus Contact Information

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1st Rule of Lab Safety

Haz-Waste No-No

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Updated January 2003

Appendix I
Safety Survey List

Working Areas

• Adequate lighting in the work area?
• Laboratory work areas reasonably clean and tidy?
• Area kept as clean as work allows?
• Guards on fan blades that are located within 7 ft. of the floor?
• Ladders and step-stools in good condition and used in the manner for which they were designed?
• Two and four-wheeled carts and hand trucks in good condition?
• List of emergency numbers, First Aid, and CPR certified employees clearly displayed?
• No foods, beverages, tobacco, or cosmetics in laboratory?
• Eating, drinking, use of tobacco, and use of cosmetics prohibited in the laboratory?
• No chipped or broken glassware in use?

Means of Egress

• Sidewalks kept free of snow and ice?
• Stairs well lit?
• Stairs of sturdy design?
• Railings provided on all open sides of exposed stairways?
• Anti-skid walking surfaces on the stairs?
• Stairs clean?
• All non-exit doors and passages which could be mistaken for an exit marked as such?
• All exits clearly designated?
• All exits unobstructed?
• All exit signs illuminated? (They must be illuminated by general room lighting or internal lighting.)
• Emergency lighting provided for fire escape routes?
• All fire doors unobstructed and free of locks and devices that could prevent free egress?
• Designated fire doors closed and operable?
• All fire doors side hinged and swing in the direction of the escape?
• Floors free from protrusions and large holes?
• Floors free from litter and obstructions?
• Floors clean and dry?
• Drainage provided for continuously wet floors?
• Mats and carpeting in good condition?
• Aisles and passageways well lit?
• Aisles and passageways kept clear to provide safe movement of materials handling equipment or employees?
• No loose or protruding shelving or edging that could cause a safety problem?
• Covers or guard rails provided for open pits, vats, etc.?
• Guard rails provided for platforms greater than 4 feet above the adjacent floor?

Materials Handling and Storage

• Area free of the accumulation of materials that could cause tripping, fires, explosions, or pest harboring?
• Sprinklers clear of stored materials (18 inch clearance)?
• NFPA 704 labeling appears on doors and cabinets?
• Materials stored to prevent sliding, falling, or collapse?
• Storage shelving secure, in good condition, and not over-loaded or crowded?
• Storage shelving provided with a lip on forward edge?
• Hazardous chemicals not stored on floor?
• Sufficient waste containers provided?
• A closable metal container provided for oily rags (if necessary)?
• Reagents used at the bench properly labeled to prevent accidental use of the wrong reagent or wash bottle?
• Containers labeled with the identity of contents and general hazard(s) of contents?
• Containers properly capped or sealed?
• Flammable liquids in quantities greater than one liter stored in safety cans designed for flammable liquid storage?
• Flammable and combustible liquids stored in containers labeled as such?
• Flammable and combustible liquids stored in approved cabinets marked "Flammable"?
• Cabinets properly ventilated?
• If flammable liquids are used in large volumes, is the mechanical ventilation adequate to remove vapors before they reach hazardous concentrations?
• Stored combustibles and flammables separated from any heat source by at least 20 feet?
• Areas where flammables are used or stored designated "NO SMOKING - NO OPEN FLAMES"?
• Metal drums used for storage and dispensing of flammable liquids properly grounded?
• Materials stored only with other compatible materials? (e.g., solvents, acids, bases, reactives, oxidizers, and toxins stored separately)

Compressed Gases

• Each compressed gas cylinder marked with the identity of its contents?
• Compressed gas cylinders inspected visually for safe operating condition?
• Gas cylinders secured so they will not tip over or fall?
• Valve caps in place on all gas cylinders that are not in use?
• All gas lines leading from compressed gas supplies labeled as to identity of gas, laboratory served, and emergency telephone numbers?
• Gas cylinder storage areas properly ventilated?
• Areas where flammable compressed gases are stored posted "NO SMOKING - NO OPEN FLAMES"?
• Oxygen cylinders not stored in the same vicinity of greasy or oily rags?
• Oxygen cylinders stored a minimum of 50 feet from flammable gas cylinders or a minimum five feet high fire wall with a 0.5 hour fire rating separates them?

Electrical

• All electrical equipment properly grounded? (Double insulated tools are exempt.)
• All electrical equipment U.L. listed and/or F.M. approved?
• Breaker boxes that may need maintenance while live have a minimum of 30" width clearance in front of them?
• All circuit breakers and fused circuits labeled to indicate whether they are in the open (off) or closed (on) position?
• Properly rated fuses used?
• All electrically live parts guarded? Electrical boxes and panels covered with face-plates to prevent exposure to live wires?
• Tool, appliance, instrument, and extension cords in good repair?
• Has permanent wiring been installed to alleviate the use of extension cords?
• Electrical cords or other lines not suspended unsupported across rooms or passageways?
• Cords not routed over metal objects?
• Cords not run through holes in walls or ceilings or through doorways or windows?
• Cords not placed under carpet, rugs, or heavy objects?
• Cords not placed in pathways or other areas where repeated abuse can cause deterioration of insulation?
• Octopus (multi-outlet) plugs not used? Approved multiple outlets with circuit breakers used instead?

General Safety Equipment

• Fire extinguishers located where flammable or combustible liquids are used?
• A fire extinguisher located between 10 feet and 25 feet of a door opening to rooms used for storage?
• Other extinguishers ready and accessible?
• Extinguishers mounted so that the top is not more than 5 feet above the floor, and not more than 3 feet if it weighs more than 40 lbs?
• Extinguishers suitable for the class of fire anticipated in each area?
• Extinguishers inspected and labeled as inspected on a yearly basis?
• Employees instructed in the proper use of fire extinguishers on an annual basis?
• Fire alarm boxes readily accessibly and within normal path distance of 200 feet.
• Fire alarm system tested on an annual basis?
• Eyewash and safety showers installed within 25 feet of laboratory work areas where corrosive chemicals are used?
• Safety showers and eyewash fountains easily accessible?
• Employees familiar with operation of safety showers and eyewash fountains?
• Safety showers and eyewash fountains tested at least annually?
• First aid kits available, in good condition, and plainly marked?
• Explosion-proof refrigerators not used for storage of food?
• Fume hoods in proper operating condition?
• Function of fume hoods periodically checked and results recorded and posted?
• Equipment properly placed in fume hoods? (i.e., nothing within 6 inches of sash and all instruments elevated a minimum of 2 inches from hood floor.)
• Fume hoods not used for storage?

Personal Protection

• Eye protection provided and used by all personnel when in the laboratory area?
• Eye protection provided for all guests that enter the laboratory?
• Proper laboratory clothing provided and used by all personnel when in the laboratory area?
• Laboratory clothing clean and in good repair?
• Gloves provided and used when needed?
• Proper gloves provided for each different solvent type?
• Employees who are required to wear steel toe shoes comply?
• Area provided outside the laboratory for eating and drinking; lab coats and protective clothing prohibited in this area?
• Change rooms provided for each sex where it is necessary to change clothes?
• Change rooms provided with separate storage facilities for street clothes and protective clothing?
• Personal hygiene facilities provided and kept in sanitary condition?

Other

• Noise levels checked and protection provided when needed?

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