Self-Inspection Topic for Quarter 2, 2013
What to Expect During a
Hazardous Materials and Waste Inspection
The quarterly topic for Quarter 2, 2013 is What to Expect During a Hazardous Materials and Waste Inspection. Labs need to complete Self-Inspection checklists and corrections noted for this quarter by June 30, 2013.
SUPPORT INFORMATION
Santa Clara County has started inspecting School of Medicine buildings with research laboratories and other areas using or storing hazardous materials. Inspections will continue for the next two years. We provide as much advance notification as possible.
Lab personnel should participate in the preparation as they may be asked questions by the inspector regarding items observed on work benches; the expectation is that safe and compliant practices are followed at ALL times and not just at the time of inspection!
INSPECTION FORMAT
- The agency representative is escorted by a member of the School of Medicine and/or University Safety and Compliance Advisor (SCA) during walk-throughs of buildings and laboratories.
- On occasion, the inspector may ask research staff for additional information regarding a specific container or lab practice. If so, researchers should politely answer the question without embellishment.
- Labs are responsible for correcting any noted deficiencies and should initiate corrections ASAP even before the PI receives the report of findings from EHS. Labs can correct most items within a few days; items requiring a longer time for completion require a written compliance plan. Verification of corrective action and written response is submitted within 30 days to the inspecting agency.
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MOST COMMONLY CHECKED AND CITED ITEMS - 2013
- Check the running list of most commonly checked and cited items. The Website will have updated information and can be viewed by anyone with an active SUNet ID.
- First impressions count; continued compliance and using safe work practices at all times is the goal.
INSPECTION PREPARATION
- Inform ALL members of lab of upcoming inspections and expectations; researchers may be asked questions by the inspector regarding items observed on work benches.
- Refer to the Laboratory Chemical Safety Toolkit for information on Safe Lab Practices and Chemical Waste Disposal.
- Complete Self-Inspections - Use checklists as a guide; all members can participate and check their own work areas and correct any noted deficiencies! Additional details and links to checklists are included below.
Completed checklists MAY be reviewed by the inspector as part of the inspection! - Make sure that chemical inventories are up-to-date in ChemTracker. Check with the University Safety and Compliance Advisor (SCA) for assistance.
- Future updates and communication - Department contacts will receive updates by email; in addition, labs can find information online on the Messageboard on HSPO Website; updates will be posted on the SOM Health and Safety Programs Website. This is a secured area so a valid SUNet ID is needed to access information posted in this section.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SELF-INSPECTIONS BY LABORATORIES
Self-Inspection checklists provide a concise outline of key points for auding safety and compliance. Checklists are provided for labs to use to periodically check their work areas to identify and CORRECT general laboratory hazards encountered during normal operations. Carefully read each point on the checklist and check that elements are compliant.
Completed checklists MAY be reviewed as part of a regulatory inspection!
- General Laboratory Inspection Checklist
- Labs use checklist for identifying AND DOCUMENTING CORRECTION of general laboratory hazards. - Shop Area Inspection Checklist
- For use in Shops with Shop Machinery. - Monthly Inspection For Hazardous Materials Storage Areas - For use in areas designated as Hazardous Materials Storage Areas. These are not laboratories or work areas but are rooms where chemicals or waste are STORED but not routine occupied during the day.
Checklists in the School of Medicine are maintained in labs and departmental offices. Departments, Divisions or Programs/Institutes/Service Centers certify checklists have been completed for their areas by submitting a single summary form to our office.
Updated
06/01/13 @ 10:50 |
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