Natural Sciences Department

Chemical Storage
- Updated chemical inventory
- Chemicals dated upon receipt
- Chemical containers labeled, capped and in good condition
- No chemicals on, above or next to a desk
- No corrosive chemicals stored above "eye level"
- Chemicals segregated by hazard (organics from oxidizers, flammables from acids)
Solvent Storage
- Excess solvent stored in approved safety cans or solvent storage cabinets and not high up on shelving
- Approved safety cans equipped with self-closing lids and flame arrestors intact
- Safety can lids closed
- Safety cans/wash bottles properly labeled
Infectious / Chemical Waste
- Waste containers labeled and chemical composition identified
- Biohazard containers used properly where needed (i.e. autoclave bags, sharps containers)

Refrigerators and Freezers
- Only "explosion proof" or "explosion safe" refrigerators/freezers may be used in labs to store flammables
- Refrigerators/freezers not "explosion proof" or "explosion safe" labeled NO FLAMMABLES ALLOWED
- Refrigerators/freezers labeled for "CHEMICAL USE ONLY" or "FOOD USE ONLY" and used accordingly
- Interior sound and free of chemical spills or contamination; containers stoppered or tightly closed
General
- Electrical apparatus equipped with ground plugs or properly grounded
- Extension cords in good condition (no splices)
- Extension cords for temporary use only, not overloaded and no longer than 6 feet
- Two prong appliances not within a 5 foot radius or directly located above flammables or sinks
- Appliances properly grounded
Compressed Gases
- All cylinders properly secured in an upright position, with cylinder clamp/chain fastened to solid support
- Stored cylinders tightly capped and kept to a minimum
- Flammable materials stored a minimum of 20 feet from cylinders containing oxidizers
- Regulators, proper connections, and tubing in good condition
- Flammable gas tubing secured and labeled
- Flame arrestors on flammable gas supply
- If toxic gases in use; proper leak sensors/alarms in place and regularly checked and calibrated

If toxic gases or gases with poor warning qualities used (i.e. odorless); redundant systems; shutoffs in place in case of leaks/emergencies

Laboratory Hoods Local Exhaust
- Exhaust hoods working, date of last inspection
- Hood sashes open and close and glass intact
- Hood free of excess chemical storage/equipment
- Hood sashes down (panels closed) when not accessing

Fire Extinguishers
- Extinguishers in designated location and area labeled
- Extinguishers accessible and free from obstruction
- Current year and date of last inspection indicated on tag
Safety Showers and Eyewashes
- Labeled, accessible and free from obstruction
- Eye washes and drench hoses flushed weekly
- Safety showers flushed annually
First Aid
- Kits in designated areas
- Inventory lists inside of First Aid kit
- First aid kit properly stocked
- Emergency PHONE# decals on telephone

Personal
- Safety glasses with side shields
- Substantial shoes, no sandals, open toes
- Protective clothing worn while working at bench
- Gloves selected according to hazard
- Chemical splash goggles where appropriate
Equipment
- Aisles and exits free from obstruction
- Benches and shelves not overloaded with unused equipment and/or chemicals and no combustibles stored within three feet of ceiling
- No damaged glassware in use (broken, chipped)
- Lab apparatus properly assembled and used in a safe manner
- No bikes in labs
Vacuum Equipment
- Vacuum pump belt guard in place
- Glass Dewars wrapped or shielded
- Protective shatter proof shield in place when in use
- Glass desiccators under vacuum stored in metal guards or shielded
Training
- Instruct lab personnel in potential hazards and good laboratory safety practices
- Provide information on availability of "Right-to-Know"
Signs
- Special hazard signs in place (i.e. lasers, cryogenic liquids, biohazards)