The document provides a checklist for ensuring laboratory safety. It includes sections on general housekeeping, fire safety, chemical handling, ventilation, electrical safety, and safety devices. The checklist covers proper storage and labeling of chemicals and gases, use of protective equipment, maintenance of emergency equipment like eyewash stations and showers, availability of safety plans and procedures, and other best practices for maintaining a safe laboratory environment.

1. CHECKLIST FOR
LABORATORY
By
Dr. S. PUGALENDHI, Emeritus Professor
Dr. P. VIJAYAKUMARY, Assistant Professor
Er. T. AYISHA NAZIBA, II-M.Tech.(REE)

2. GENERAL
• Housekeeping satisfactory
• Aisles not cluttered, paths of egress maintained free of obstructions
• Hazard warning signs on outside at entrance(s)
• Laboratory Authority List at entrances on outside
• Work area separated from study/social areas
• Laboratory Hygiene Plan written and available, including
• Written Standard Operating Procedures available
• Material Safety Data Sheets available
• Emergency response and evacuation plan
• Food not stored in laboratory refrigerators
• Equipment in good condition, preventive maintenance plan in place

3. FIRE SAFETY
• Flammables stored in flammable material storage cabinets
• Class ABC fire extinguisher in laboratory, near door or on path of egress
• Fire blankets available
• Flammable material stocks maintained at minimal levels, within limits
• Refrigerators used for flammables are flammable material storage units or
explosion-proof
• Two well-separated exits, doors swing outward for hazard class labs
• Flammables not stored along path of egress

4. CHEMICAL HANDLING
• Chemicals stored according to compatibility
• Ethers identified by date of receipt and latest date for disposal. Other chemicals
which degrade and become unsafe also treated similarly.
• Other chemicals with notably dangerous properties identified and stored safely
• All containers properly labeled, including secondary containers
• Quantities of chemicals not excessive
• Chemicals stored at safe levels, in cabinets or on stable shelving; no chemicals on
floor
• Chemical waste properly labeled and segregated prior to disposal, removed
frequently

5. • Gas cylinders strapped firmly in place; cylinders not in use capped; oxidizing and
reducing gases properly segregated
• Perchloric acid quantities maintained at minimum levels; perchloric acid hoods
available for hot perchloric acid applications
• Apparatus marked with warning signs or protected by barriers if susceptible to
damage
• Work generating toxic and hazardous fumes done in hoods
• Work capable of causing an explosion behind protective barriers; vacuum vessels
taped; warning signs in place; employees made fully aware of risks, etc.
•

6. VENTILATION
• Ventilation 100% fresh air, 6 to 12 air changes per hour
• Laboratory at negative pressure with respect to corridors
• Hoods located in low traffic draft-free zones
• Hoods capable of maintaining 100 fpm face velocity with sash fully open
• Low-velocity warning alarm on hoods
• Fume generating apparatus with hoods at least 20 cm from sash opening
• Local exhaust units used where hoods not suitable
• Hoods not used for storage of surplus materials
• No modifications made to hoods that would reduce their effectiveness

7. ELECTRICAL
• All electrical circuits three-wire
• No circuits overloaded with extension cords or multiple connection
• No extension cords used unsafely, cords protected or in raceways
• Apparatus equipped with three-prong plugs or double-insulated
• Motors are nonsparking
• Heating apparatus equipped with redundant temperature controls
• Adequate lighting, lights in hoods protected from vapors
• Circuits, equipment provided with ground-fault interrupters as needed
• Electrical equipment properly covered
• Breaker panel accessible
• Deluge shower located so water will not splash on electrical equipment or circuits
• GFI devices in use where use is indicated for personnel safety

8. SAFETY DEVICES
• Eyewash station available, checked at least semiannually
• Deluge shower available, checked at least semiannually
• First aid kit available and fully maintained
• Personal protective equipment: goggles, face masks, gloves, aprons, respirators, explosion shields, escape
breathing masks, available and used as needed
• Evacuation routes marked
• No smoking, other safety signs posted and observed
• Chemical waste properly labeled and segregated prior to disposal, removed frequently
• Biological wastes segregated, stored properly in clearly marked containers, removed frequently
• Sharps containers available and used.
• Radioactive wastes segregated, stored properly in clearly designated containers, removed frequently
• Gas cylinders strapped firmly in place, cylinders not in use capped, oxidizing and reducing gases properly
segregated