Instructions for 
NMSU  Laboratory & General Safety Inspection Form

GENERAL

1. AREA/DOOR SIGNAGE - (template- www.nmsu.edu/safety/resources/safety_signs.htm )  A

• General  All access doors must be marked when rooms or areas are being used for chemical, biological or radioactive purposes as outlined in the NMSU Chemical Hygiene Plan and Lab Safety Guide. All door vision panels must remain unobstructed for FD use in emergency. Unattended labs shall be locked at all times.
• Names and Phone Numbers: The main door(s) of the lab are checked for a sheet which contains the names and phone numbers (office and after-hours) of the principal investigator/supervisor and an alternate contact.
• Hazards Listed: The door signage must also list any special hazards which may exist in the lab. Examples include: acutely toxic gasses, pyrophorics, strong corrosives, high pressure gas cylinders, excessive flammables, biohazards, radioactive materials, etc. Its purpose is to alert visitors and emergency personnel that this room contains hazards that are not commonly found in a hallway, a classroom or a office (i.e. above normal conditons) and entering the room  will require specific precautions and possibly protective equipment. Sign should be dated within last year (i.e. updated less than one year ago). 
• Emergency Phone Numbers - if area has phone, emergency number are to posted nearby.
• Emergency Action Plan and/or Specific Procedures for lab are to be posted for personnel.  

• FIRE EXTINGUISHERS (Fire Safety info at www.nmsu.edu/~safety/programs/fire_safety/fire_saf_prog.htm ) 
  • Available: Labs are inspected for the presence of a operational, fire extinguisher appropriate for the hazards associated with the lab. Extinguisher need not be in lab, but typically must be readily available within 75 feet travel of fire hazard. 
  • Unobstructed: Labs are inspected for the presence of a fire extinguisher in a location which is readily distinguishable and accessible to the lab users.  In most cases the fire extinguisher should be mounted on the wall near the lab exit.
  • Mounted Properly: Labs are inspected to be certain that the fire extinguisher is mounted on the wall near the exit way or door. Fire extinguishers MUST NOT be setting on the floor. Do not accept replacement extinguishers that can not be hung from existing hanger.  Call OFS work desk for replacement.
  • Read to use - Current inspection, tag, & seal - Extinguisher should be read to use, with an inspection tag showing inspection within the last year.  It should be sealed and current hydrotest.  Stamped on the cylinder is the date the unit was last hydrotested. Verify that the hydrotest is within the legal limit. Units filled with water (usually silver): within last 5 years; for units filled with dry chemical or carbon dioxide: within last 12 years. OFS and NMSU fire department is responsible for all NMSU fire extinguishers (main campus). Supervisors should request service via a OFS work order or call NMSU Fire Department (646-2519) for replacement, inspection or questions.
    
• EYEWASH (and/or drench hose shower) 
  • Available: The lab is inspected for the need and presence of an eyewash station. Existing units are checked to determine that the location of the unit is accessible and marked with some special sign. Any area which deals with corrosive, flammable or otherwise hazardous material is required to have immediate access to eyewash and drench shower facilities. Eye wash bottles provide only a limited water supply (not 15 minutes of use) and are often out-of-date (bacteria laden), so are not acceptable for areas with modern plumbing.  Equipment must be in operational order, unobstructed and within 10 second travel (max 100 ft unobstructed travel).
  • Inspected & Flushed Record: Unit should have record tag with at least record of annual inspection. The person in charge of the lab is to be questioned concerning the frequency of flushing the eyewash and/or drench hose unit (at least monthly). EH&S will test annually and tag (or request repair for non-compliant units). At minimum, weekly flushing by users is recommended. Supervisor should submit a work order to OFS if unit is not operative. Call EH&S 646-3327 if the tag is out of date.
• DELUGE/DRENCH SHOWER: 
  • Available: The area is inspected for the need and presence of an deluge/drench shower. Existing units are checked to determine that the location of the unit is accessible, marked with signage, and does not create any additional hazards such as electrical equipment being utilized in the safety shower's splash zone. Any area which deals with large quantities of corrosive or toxic material is required to have immediate access to eyewash and drench shower facilities.
  • Inspected & Flushed Record: Unit should have record tag with at least record of annual inspection. The person in charge of the lab is questioned concerning the frequency of flushing the eyewash and/or drench hose unit (at least monthly). EH&S will test annually and tag (or request repair for non-compliant units). If unit has floor drain, weekly flushing by users is recommended.  Supervisor should submit a work order to OFS if unit is not operative. Call EH&S 646-3327 if the tag is out of date.
   
• First Aid Kit Stocked: Although not required, the laboratory is inspected for the presence of a first aid kit. When provided, the kit is inspected to determine that adequate supplies of bandages gauze and tape are contained within. If present we recommended that a commercially available package be used and maintained in accordance with the supplier's original specifications.
• Exits are Marked: Exit doors are inspected to be certain that they are distinguishable from other doors in the lab. This is only typical in labs that are fairly large. In addition, exit doors are inspected for blockage from the exterior in order to be certain that access can be gained into the room by emergency personnel.

3. PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT (PPE)

If hazardous substances are used or stored in the lab, the availability, condition and quantity of approved personal protective equipment (PPE) are verified. It is explained to the lab personnel that such approved equipment:

• must be provided at no cost to the user and readily available
• requires that the user must be trained in use, care, limitations, and when it will be used
• must have its use enforced if mandatory use is verified

• Glasses/Goggles/Face Shield: Condition of visibility and straps are checked.
• Gloves: Users are reminded that:
  • - various types of gloves are required for various chemicals
  • - if disposable they must be changed often
  • - if they must be checked for pinhole leaks
• Aprons & Smocks: If concentrate acid, base, or other corrosive used in lab, then rubber apron is needed for user protection. Users are reminded that sufficient apron length will protect from thigh exposures.Lab smocks should be available. 
• Respirators: NMSU Personnel are advised that the respirator use must conform to NMSU Respirator Safety Program.  Please see NMSU Respirator Safety Program for details.
• Respirator Users must be properly trained and fit: If respirators are in use, lab personnel are asked if they have received proper training and annual fit testing. If not, contact Environmental Health & Safety by phone (646-3327) or the Safety Website at http://www.nmsu.edu/~safety.
• No Mouth Pipetting: If mouth pipetting is observed, personnel are advised that mouth pipetting of any substance is not allowed.

• Housekeeping Satisfactory: The lab is inspected to determine that the housekeeping is satisfactory. Consideration should be given to: physical hazards created by stored items; excessive storage of combustible materials; and unneeded storage of items such as glassware, lab supplies, and books/journals/paperwork.
• No Smoking, Eating, Drinking or Cosmetic Application: Labs are inspected for evidence of smoking, eating, drinking or cosmetic application. Evidence such as pop cans, food wrappers and smoking materials suggests this may be the case.
• Aisle/Exits Unobstructed: Aisles within the laboratory are inspected for a minimum clear width of 28 inches. Exit doors must be completely clear and free of obstructions.

• Spill Clean Up Kit: Personnel are asked if they know the location of their chemical spill clean up kit. If no such kit exists, consult the NMSU Lab Safety Guide and the NMSU Waste Manual for more information on spill kits. Personnel are advised to close the area and call the EH&S 646-3327 if they do not know how to properly clean up a small spill.
• Secondary Containment for Corrosives: Corrosives and large containers of flammables should have secondary containment such as trays to contain any spills.

• General  UL Electrical Equipment and Cords - Only Underwriters Laboratories approved equipment and cords are authorized for use. Only UL listed multiple outlet strips equipped with 15 AMP circuit breakers are approved.
• Circuits Properly Loaded: Electrical cords and circuits are inspected. We look for improper use of extension cord as permanent outlets and for urge protectors in a daisy chain (one unit plugged into another). These increase the risk of fire.  Surge protectors are not overload protectors, some have cheap circuit protectors but not all. We have seen examples of fires caused by overloading the surge protector. They are meant only for very light loads such as computer and typical solid state control circuits.  Heating and motorized appliances are not to be plugged into surge protectors. Overloading can be defined as excessive electrical cords plugged into an electrical circuit. In addition, cheater plugs are sometimes used to improperly plug a three wire plug into a two wire system.
• Plugs are grounded and cord in good condition: Electrical cords are inspected to be certain that ground pins have not been removed or damaged. When Environmental Health & Safety inspects labs, select circuits are checked for proper grounding and polarity with a Circuit Tester.
• GFCI protection needed - Outlets within reach of sink or water need to be protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter unit. The unit can sense that electron flow is not returning via the wire, as might occur when the electricity flows through your wet hand or body to ground or to a metal sink, and it then shuts off the circuit. These can be installed at the outlet or in the electric panel.  
• No Cords Across Aisles: Aisles are inspected for the presence of electrical, phone or other cords in them. Cords which are placed on the floor can be damaged by materials crossing over them. In addition, a cord  across an aisle create a physical tripping or slip hazard.

• Secured, Capped & Separated: The laboratory is inspected for the presence of compressed gas cylinders. When they are located within the lab they are inspected to determine that they are secured in an upright position and are labeled with contents. In addition they are checked to be certain that a valve caps are in place when the cylinder is not in use and that flammable cylinders are not stored with oxidizing cylinders (require 20 ft or 1/2 hour fire separation).  Containers must be labeled for contents and usage. Special usage of bottles should be noted with signs or labels.
• No Extremely Toxic, Explosive, or Pyrophorics: The laboratory is inspected for the presence of compressed gas cylinders which are extremely toxic, explosive or pyrophoric.   If So, Detection System is in Place: When extremely toxic, explosive or pyrophoric cylinders are found, the storage location is looked at for the presence of detection systems. In most cases cylinders of this nature should be stored inside of gas cabinets or fume hoods.

8. REFRIGERATOR/FREEZER

• No Food or Drink sign: Refrig, freezer & microwave units in labs must be marked with no food/drink sign.  Food appliances in proximity to lab should be marked as food/drink only.
• No Food With Chemicals: The refrigerator and freezer is checked for food.
• Flammables in Explosion Proof Unit: If flammable (Flash point  <100F) chemicals are stored in a refrigerator, it must be designated as "Explosion Proof".

• By Compatibility: Chemicals are checked to ensure that they are separated by reactive classes and not stored completely by the alphabet. Oxidizers, corrosives, caustics, reactives, and flammables should be stored separately and away from organics and inorganics.
• In Cabinets or Stable Shelving: All chemicals must be stored in cabinets or stable shelving. Chemicals may not be stored on the floor or precariously on shelves. Liquids are to be stored below head/chest level to prevent spill on to body and reduce risk of drop and breakage.
• Labeled Containers: All chemicals must have legible NFPA-style labels which include the name of the chemical and its hazard rating for fire,  health, reactivity and special hazard (also see NMSU Safety Handbook).  Carcinogens, mutogens, tetratogen, radioactives and other highly toxic materials are to be stored in separate marked storage.
• No Excess of Flammables: Labs are inspected for the presence of excessive amounts of flammable liquid storage. Maximum quantities are determined based upon the type of laboratory inspected, the hazard classification of the flammable liquid, the container used for storage purposes and the fire protection features of the lab. Labs performing self-evaluations will have to make a "value judgement" regarding the quantity of flammables being stored. Environmental Health & Safety uses NFPA 45 and NFPA 30 to determine the maximum quantities of flammables that can be stored at the lab both inside and outside of flammable storage containers.

10. UNSTABLES/EXPLOSIVES

• Peroxidizables Dated: Peroxides and chemicals which may form peroxides are checked that they are labeled with reciept , open and required disposal date. Personnel are advised that ethers which have been opened for more than 3 months need to be checked for peroxides and disposed if present. Consult the NMSU Hazardous Waste Manual,  www.nmsu.edu/~safety/programs/haz_wst/wastemanual.htm  for more information on perioxidizable chemicals.
  

11.  WASTE CHEMICALS

• If waste is generated is there an accumulation area, is it signed, are waste forms completed and atttached? Consult the NMSU Hazardous Waste Manual,  www.nmsu.edu/~safety/programs/haz_wst/wastemanual.htm  for more information.
• Are waste containers closed? Is secondary containment present (not always required)?

12. HOODS

• General  Fume Exhaust Hoods - The average face velocities (ave 6 locations) should be between 80 and 150 FPM at the working sash height with an optimum level of 100 FPM. The sash should never be higher than 12-18 inches except when moving materials into/out of hood. EH&S will test annually, certify, and tag (or request repair for non-compliant units).

  A hood marked "limited service" indicated that hood failed the standard but is still operational.  It can be used for limited purposes when a certified hood is not available. Highly toxic or volatile chemicals should not be used or placed in limited use hood. "Out of service" indicates the hood is out of service and not to be used. EH&S will clearly mark and place a repair order for hood deemed "Out of service" and "Limited service." 

  Per NMSU Policy the department CHO or representative are to check hoods for compliance at least quarterly.  Each hood shall have air flow indicator (meter, guage or tissue paper indicator) to show whether unit is in operation.  Supervisor should submit a work order to OFS if hood unit is not operative. Non-operative hoods shall be marked as such (i.e. out of order, do not use).

  Biological Safety Cabinets - Certification is required annually or any time the hood is moved or has had maintenance performed. Department are responsible for BSC certification.  Non-operative BSL hoods (and non-certified BSL2 and 3 hoods) shall be marked as such (e.g. out of order, not certified, do not use).
   

• Used For All Work Generating Toxic Fumes: Personnel are advised that all work which may generate any toxic fumes must be done in a certified, functioning exhause hood. Consult recommendation  guide for hood use. 
• Housekeeping Satisfactory: Hood and lower storage is checked for excess chemicals and equipment which would alter the proper air flow
• Certified: Hood is checked for certification sticker. If in use, does the hood have a inspection sticker? Is the sticker dated within the last year?

13.  MECHANICAL HAZARDS 

• Equipment is Guarded: Mechanical equipment is inspected for proper guarding of its mechanical parts. For instance, vacuum pumps are inspected in order to determine that a belt guard is in place and grinding wheels are inspected in order to determine that the chip guard is in place.
• Stop switches are to be easily accessible
• Heavy, tippable equipment must be secured to prevent tip over?

14.  CHEMICAL INVENTORY 

• HAZCOM INVENTORY - Is the NMSU inventory available for area?  Is it complete and current (within year)?
• Are correct MSDS for chemicals readily available (printed & available within 10 minutes)? 
• MSDSs Available: Lab personnel are to be questioned about the location of their MSDSs. By Federal regulation, the lab should have an MSDS for each chemical being used at the location.  If you cannot find a MSDS for a chemical or need other assistance, call 646-3327 or check the  Safety Website at www.nmsu.edu/~safety

15. TRAINING/DOCUMENTS - LAB STANDARD

• HazCom Training - Have all area users had HazCom training from EH&S.  Documents? Understand regs?
• Lab Standard Training - Have all lab users had Lab Standard Training ? Documents? Understand regs?
• Chemical Hygiene Plan Available: Does the lab have a current copy of the NMSU  Model Chemical Hygiene Plan? 
  • Do all lab personnel know where their copy of the Hygiene Plan is stored? 
• NMSU Lab Safety Guide - Does lab have copy of lab safety guide?  If additional copies are needed, they can be requested by calling 646-3327 or check the NMSU Safety Website at www.nmsu.edu/~safety
• Bloodborne Pathogen Training ?   Exposure Control Plan?
• Hazardous Waste Training?
• Radiation Training - annual?   SOP for radiation use?