Environmental Health & Safety : Laboratory Safety Audits

Laboratory Safety Audits

What are laboratory audits?

Laboratory audits provide an opportunity for departments, faculty, students, and staff to reemphasize safety by focusing on safety topics specific to each research laboratory. The laboratory safety audits are conducted by EH&S staff whom have research laboratory experience and by trained fire prevention professionals. Each auditor uses a 24 question audit survey to assess the overall safety of the laboratory, but also relies on professional experience to observe safety conditions and make recommendations.

Preparing for a laboratory safety audit

Laboratory audits are unannouced visits from EH&S professional staff, but a laboratory can be prepared for an audit by adhering to laboratory safety guidelines:

First, the laboratory safety rules provide 10 general laboratory safety points that are covered during an audit.

Second, laboratory waste plays a major role in the audit process due in large part to the laws that govern it. The online tag program developed by the University provides a computerized method to comply with all waste regulations and audit questions.

Third, each laboratory is also required to maintain certain safety documents such as the chemical hygiene plan, emergency contacts, and a laboratory door placard designating the hazards within each laboratory.

Following the information provided in these three guidelines will enhance the audit process.