Hazardous Materials Inspection Checklist
The School of Medicine is unique in that half of the buildings fall within the jurisdiction of the City of Palo Alto and are inspected by the Palo Alto Fire Department; the other buildings are inspected by Santa Clara County.
The focus of hazardous materials inspections is accurately reporting quantities of hazardous materials and the labeling, handling, and storage of chemicals.
All researchers share the responsibility for properly handling, storing and disposing of hazardous materials used in their experiments and utilizing good management practices as part of their daily lab operations.
Use previous regulatory agency inspection findings and self-inspections reports as a starting point to prepare for inspections. Remember to document the corrections and share the findings with all members of your research team.
POOR HOUSEKEEPING ALWAYS INVITES CLOSER SCRUTINY BY INSPECTORS!
- Keep labs, especially fumehoods, floors, chemical storage cabinets and table tops, clean and uncluttered.
- Clean up spills and their detritus (crystallized residues) as soon as possible.
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LIFE SAFETY BOX (LSB) - Is the
information posted in the LSB current? The responsibility
for updating contents is shared by EHS, departments and PI's for individual
labs. 
- Chemical Inventory - The LSB coversheet, Guide to Hazard Quantities, and Hazardous Materials Inventory sheets posted in the LSB are generated and posted by EHS. The forms are based on the chemical inventory entered by individual labs in ChemTracker.
- Emergency Notification Form (ENF) - Check that current contact information is posted at all times!
- Chemical Storage Map - Chemical storage locations information is updated by the department and labs.
CHEMICAL LABELING - Are ALL containers labeled including reagents that are "in-process" or "in-use" on instruments? This includes water!
- Use full chemical name - Write out the full name as stated on the "stock" container when transfering to "working" reagent containers. (i.e. Use Ethanol or Ethyl Alcohol and not EtOH; Hydrochloric Acid and not HCl.)
- Non-Hazardous Buffers - (David) Statement on labeling shelves and containers filled with non-hazardous buffers...... [It is not necessary to spell out all ingredients on buffer labels. Use the word "BUFFER" if the pH is between 2.50 and 11.50 and contain no hazardous components.]
SEGREGATION OF INCOMPATIBLE MATERIALS - Are incompatible (reactive) materials stored properly and separating materials that will react?
- Stanford Compatible Storage Group Classification System was developed for laboratory scale storage applications and should not be routinely applied to non-laboratory storage situations.
- Stanford Chemical Storage Group information is posted in the Life Safety Box outside each lab or is available online in the Chemical Safety Database.
- Storage Group Stickers and Stanford Chemical Storage Group Guide are available from the CAP team member for your building.
SECONDARY CONTAINMENT prevents spills and separates incompatible materials.
- Single Container - Secondary containment for a single container must be sized to contain 110% of its capacity.
- Multiple Containers - When multiple containers are stored in the same secondary container, it must be able to contain 150% of the largest container or 10% of the aggregate quantity stored, whichever is greater.
STORAGE LOCATION - Check ALL chemical storage locations including flammable liquid storage cabinets, fumehoods, cold rooms, equipment rooms, film processor rooms and lab benches.
- Corridors and Stairwells are not acceptable storage locations! Remove items stored in this location!
RECORD KEEPING -
- Quarterly Self-Inspection Records - Have all items been corrected and corrections noted on forms?
INSPECTION PREPARATION
- Most
Commonly Cited Items during our most recent hazardous
materials / waste inspections.
- Use previous inspection findings by regulatory agencies and self-inspections reports as a starting point. Remember to document the corrections and share the findings with all members of your research team.
- CAP Team member can conduct a site visit to prepare your lab for a hazardous materials inspection.
- Health and Safety Programs Office (723-0110) is available to answer any additional questions you may have!
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