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

Administrative Concerns
Section 7.2 - Safety Audits & Surveys

A. Safety Audits

The safety audit or safety review is an evaluation of a laboratory's total safety program and is to cover everything from management philosophy and attitude toward safety to the seemingly insignificant details of laboratory housekeeping. The purpose of the audit is to rate a safety program, identify its strengths and weaknesses, know where improvements are needed, and obtain commitments and target dates for correcting problems from the managers involved. The audit should not be regarding as fault-finding or placing-the-blame process, but a positive experience for everyone involved in the laboratory organization. See Appendix N for an example of a lab audit checklist.

1. Benefits of an audit:

   • Provide management with a way to assess the effectiveness of their laboratory's safety program;
   • Provide recommendations for improvement;
   • Monitor changes on safety performance;
   • Build and maintain awareness of interest in the program by employees;
   • Indicate to the employee that management is serious about safety; and

   • Audit recommendations that are implemented can lead to lower accident and injury rates, which in turn, lowers cost of operations and increases morale.

2. Conducting the Audit:
   
   Audits shall be conducted on at least an annual basis.
   
   The audit shall be conducted by either the Departmental Chemical Hygiene Officer (DCHO) or by a Safety Committee made up of the DCHO, employees, and supervisors. The audit is to make sure that each laboratory area or department conforms to the established Laboratory Chemical Safety Policy. When the audit is performed, detailed notes of the observations shall be made. One way to do this is for the leader to record the observations and then later have them transcribed for review. This also eliminates the need for the committee team to wait around while notes are being taken.
   
   Once the audit is complete, it shall be written up and copies sent to the supervisor or department head responsible for the areas that were audited. The report should be discussed with the supervisor, and time set aside to correct any problem that might have been uncovered during the audit. A completion date shall be set for correcting each problem that was found and a person shall be assigned the responsibility for correcting each problem uncovered. If nothing is done, review the situation with the next University administrative level of management.

3. An audit should answer questions such as:

   1. Is there a safety committee that is achieving results?

   2. Are there safety monitors in each major job area of the laboratory?

   3. Are productive safety meetings being held at regular intervals?

   4. Are the safety rules being enforced?

   5. Disaster plan, fire escape plan, etc.?

   6. Hazardous waste and proper disposal program?

   7. Is a noise control program needed?

   8. Is an effort being made to comply with OSHA regulations affecting health, safety, and training of laboratory personnel?

   9. Are accidents reported and investigated? Do investigations include recommendations to avoid or prevent future occurrences?

   10. Does supervisory staff receive training in safety, HazCom, HazMat, first aid, CPR, fire extinguisher, chemical disposal, etc.?

   11. Do all employees receive hazard communication training?

   12. Is there a safety bulletin board?

   13. Are the fire protection measures uncompromised?

       • Are sprinkler heads clear of stored materials?
       • Are fire extinguishers readily accessible and not obstructed?

       • Is the location of the nearest fire alarm pull-box known?

   14. Is there adequate personal protective equipment available? Do supervisors ensure that employees wear personal protective equipment when needed?
   15. Is there adequate lighting in the work area?

   16. Is housekeeping satisfactory? Is it emphasized?

       • Is the area kept as clean as work allows?
       • Is the floor clean and dry?

       • Is the floor free from litter and obstructions?

   17. Is there any loose or protruding shelving or edging that could cause a safety problem?
   18. Is there a noise control program, if needed?
   19. Is glassware that is chipped or broken in use?

   20. Are compressed gas cylinders handled properly?

       • Are valve caps in place on all gas cylinders that are not in use?

       • Are all cylinder movements made with a dolly?

   21. Is there a program that addresses the concerns of the employee regarding health and safety in the laboratory?
   22. Do Standard Operating Procedures address proper storage and handling of chemicals?

   23. Is the Laboratory Safety Manual available, current, and reviewed regularly?

B. Safety Surveys

Safety surveys are similar to safety audits except they do not evaluate management, attitudes, nor do they ensure that safety programs are in place.

Safety surveys should be considered as walk-throughs of the physical areas of the laboratory and related areas, with the goal of identifying safety hazards and concerns. The surveys shall be conducted on a monthly basis by the laboratory supervisor. These personnel are to note problem areas, write reports, present the report to management, offer recommendations, set completion dates and follow-up to ensure action has taken place. These personnel should concentrate on working conditions, working practices, housekeeping, process controls, hazard exposure, and other similar concerns.

Please see Appendix I for a copy of the Safety Survey conducted on an annual basis by the OSU Environmental Health & Safety Department.