CHEMICAL SAFETY Inspection Checklist

Chemical Safety Inspection Checklist

Page
1

of
2

Occupational Health & Safety Unit

29 May 2012, v2



CHEMICAL SAFETY

Inspection
Checklist


Location (
Building

& Room number):


Organisational Unit:


Room contact

/

R
esponsible person:


Inspector / Auditor:


Date of Inspection:



Physical infrastructure and emergency requirements

√
/
X

Are the
signs

on external doors adequate

to indicate what classes of chemicals are being used and stored
?


Comments:



Do the
signs

on the entrances to the work area or within the work area reflect the work practices e.g. “eyewear
must be worn at all times”?


Comments:


Is there an
emergency 'SHUT DOWN'

button at the exit (cuts off the energy to systems
i.e.

gas, electricity,
steam...)


Comments:



Are
spill kits available

(with appropriate spill containment material)
?


Comments:



Are
fire extinguishers

provided and adequate for the chemicals and processes being performed
?


Comments:


Is a
safety
shower and eye
-
wash

provided? (must have unencumbered access)
and are they tested monthly


Comments:



Is a
First Aid Kit

available (appropriate to the hazards). Are suitable antidotes available where necessary?


Comments:


Are all of the
fume
cupboards

tested and in date (check NATA sticker on cupboard, 12 monthly)
?


Comments:


Gas systems, cylinders and cryogenics

√ / X

Are all
gases reticulated

(all cylinders and dewars

stored outside the lab with hard plumbed, low pressure lines
into lab)


Comments:


Are
regulators

in good condition, appropriate for type and pressure of gas?


Comments:


Are all gas cylinders securely
restrained


Comments:


Chemical Safety Inspection Checklist

Page
2

of
2

Occupational Health & Safety Unit

29 May 2012, v2


Are all
gas monitors

and
oxygen alarms

connected to UQ Security
?


Comments:


Volumes of
cryogenics

have been assessed in relation to room volume and the need for low oxygen alarms
?


Comments:


Chemicals

√ / X

Is there a
Manifest

of 'Hazardous Substances' and 'Dangerous Goods' for the lab. Has it been given to the
Chemical Store Manager?


Comments:


Are chemicals
storage cabinets

labelled with DG class, in good condition, fitted with self closing doors and
contain compatible classes of chemicals
?


Comments:


Are
Class 3 cabinets

located as far as practicable from ignition sources (refrigerators, power points, sparks),
class 2.1 and 2.3 gas cylinders, 5.1 and 5.2 cabinets and 6.1 cabinets (>3m if possible)?


Comments:


Are
spark free fridges

provided for storage of flammable liquids (If required)? Are all fridges and freezers
labelled as to suitability for storage of flammable liquids IE NO FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS IN THIS FRIDGE?


Comments:


Is the total maximum volume of cabinets <
250 L in a 10

Metre Radius
? (based on cabinet label) **Must
consider adjoining rooms**


Comments:


Are
risk assessments

available for the processes which are using chemicals?


Comments:


Do staff know how to access
material

safety data sheets

(SDS)
? Is access to
Chemwatch readily

available to all
persons? Are
SDS’s for high use and high risk chemicals printed out?


Comments:


Is
health surveillance

conducted for
lead and/or
any of the schedule
14

substances listed within the Regulation?


Comments:


Are chemical containers and contents in good condition and fitted with a legible
manufacturers label
?


Comments:


Are decanted containers correctly
labelled
?

Are waste containers appropriately labelled?


Comments:


Are there any
bunding or spill trays

for the storage of liquids?


Comments:


Is the
housekeeping

satisfactory?


Comments:


Is there a procedure for
chemical waste disposal
,
consistent with University
requirements
?


Comments: