1. LABORATORY INSPECTIONS
Jerry Gordon
Manager For Laboratory Safety Programs

2. Who Is This Training For?
For all faculty, staff, graduate assistants, and DSRs who want to take a proactive approach to operating their labs safely by identifying potential issues through laboratory self inspections.

3. Objectives Identify reasons to conduct self inspections of labs
Identify areas of concern and common issues found in labs
Identify corrective actions to take
Identify best management practices to address areas of concern

4. Why Inspect Labs??? Determine compliance with regulations
Raise level of awareness for lab personnel
Identify and address issues before a “real” inspection
Opportunity for additional training
Health and safety check of laboratory facilities
Outlet for faculty, staff, and graduate student concerns

5. Inspecting Labs How to inspect labs
Use of checklists vs. “the walk around”
Include faculty, staff, and graduate students
Send a copy of the final report to the faculty
Best to go with experienced inspector first
It takes time and practice to be consistent
Cooperation vs. confrontation
Provide solutions, not just citations

6. Inspecting Labs Recommended frequency of inspections
Weekly by lab occupants
e.g. Friday afternoon cleanups
Formal once-a-month by designated lab representatives or DSRs
Minimum once per semester
Voluntary yearly consultations by EH&S
Provides a second set of eyes
Incorporates any changes to the regulations
Can provide recommendations for similar issues from other labs

7. Inspecting Labs What to bring along during an inspection The checklist
A notepad and pen
Scotch tape
Permanent marker
Multi-tool (screwdrivers, wire cutters, etc)
Examples of signs and labels to hand out
Digital camera is useful for documentation and training pictures

8. Inspecting Labs When issues are found:
Take corrective action to address the issue immediately
Do you need to document the issue if corrected in front of you?
Notify others in the lab of any issues discovered
Use labels and signs as reminders
Include as topics for discussion at lab group and safety committee meetings

9. For This Training Program…
Should
Recommendation by EH&S as a best management practice for labs
Things that outside inspectors LIKE to see when they go through a lab
Must
Regulatory requirement involved
Specific items outside inspectors look for to determine compliance with regulations

10. Inspection Areas Housekeeping General Safety Chemical Safety
Chemical Waste / EPA
Other Wastes
Other Regulations
Emergency
Communication

11. Housekeeping Arguably THE most important issue in your lab
Gives a general impression of the overall condition of your lab
Can have a significant impact on the outcome of an inspection by an outside agency
Citable OSHA violation
Indication of more serious problems

12. Housekeeping
Includes benches, hoods, cabinets, sinks, refrigerators and freezers
Chemical containers, sharps, trash, clutter
All chemical spills must be cleaned up
Includes drips from containers, splashes on cabinet fronts or in hoods, etc
Keep overhead storage to a minimum
Do not store heavy items overhead

13. Housekeeping
When requesting maintenance work, please be considerate of maintenance staff by:
Ensuring all chemicals and apparatus have been removed from the work area
Ensuring the work area is clean of chemical spills or residue
Notifying them of any potential hazards or possible chemical contamination

14. General Safety Personal Protective Equipment Electrical Safety
Refrigerators
Machine Guarding
Fume Hoods
Gas Cylinders
Respirators

15. Personal Protective Equipment
The department or unit is responsible for deciding what PPE is required
Has the lab completed an assessment of the hazards in their work area and determined the appropriate PPE?
Assistance with hazard assessments and choosing the right PPE can be obtained from EH&S
Ex. See the glove selection chart in the CHP

16. Personal Protective Equipment
Is the appropriate PPE available and in good condition?
Is the appropriate PPE being worn?
Have the lab workers been trained on proper use of the PPE?
Has this information been included in the lab’s Standard Operating Procedures?

17. Electrical Safety
Maintain plugs, cords, and equipment in good condition
Get repaired immediately if needed
Look for cracked cords, bare insulation
Electrical tape is not acceptable
Extension cords are for temporary use only
Use power strips if necessary
Do not cascade power strips and extension cords

18. Electrical Safety Do not block electric power panels
Need to maintain clearance and have ready access to breakers
Ensure all missing breakers are reported to building coordinator
Missing breakers need breaker caps installed
Emergency cut off switches and breakers must be labeled
Contact building coordinator for assistance

19. Electrical Safety
Do not store oxidizers or flammables around power panels or other ignition sources
Be aware when using electrical devices around sinks and other sources of water
Use a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) around wet areas

20. Electrical Safety Do not alter or repair fixed wiring in buildings
Contact building coordinator for assistance
All electrical devices or equipment must be third party tested
Underwriters Laboratories – UL listed

21. Refrigerators Do not store food in chemical refrigerators
Chemical refrigerators should be labeled as “Chemicals Only, No Food”
For sample storage, include an identification key on outside of refrigerator
Should store liquid chemicals in secondary containers such as trays
Practice good housekeeping
Clean up all spills

22. Refrigerators Clean refrigerators on a regular basis
Defrost freezers on a regular basis
Only special rated flammable storage refrigerators may be used for storage of flammable liquids

23. Refrigerators
All refrigerators should have an ECO disposal registration sticker
Check with your DSR or Building Coordinator OR
Contact Facility Coordinator or Anne Wildman at ECO at

24. Cold Rooms Same principles of refrigerator storage apply
No storage of food
Should not store flammable liquids and cryogenic gases in cold rooms
Flammability and explosion hazard
Asphyxiation hazard

25. Machine Guarding All moving parts need to be properly guarded
Includes belts, pinch points, and blades
Vacuum pumps, hydraulic presses, cutting devices, grinders, rotating shafts

26. Fume Hoods Hoods are not storage cabinets Keep sash as low as possible
Temporary storage for experiments is acceptable
Excess storage interferes with air flow
Any equipment stored in hoods should be elevated to allow air to flow properly under equipment
Keep sash as low as possible
Safety measure during use
Energy conservation measure when not in use

27. Fume Hoods Hoods are not disposal devices
Illegal to evaporate hazardous waste
Do not use heated Perchloric acid in standard fume hoods
Vapors can form shock-sensitive compounds that can explode
Requires a Perchloric acid fume hood with a special wash down function

28. Gas Cylinders Must be secured upright at all times
Includes half size cylinders
Use of chains is preferred
Label with a Full/In Use/Empty tag
Replace cap when not in use

29. Gas Cylinders Keep away from ignition sources
Separate Oxygen and fuel cylinders
At least by 20 feet or a half hour fire wall
Only order what you need – do not stockpile on loading docks
Just-In-Time delivery by Airgas
Next day service

30. Respirators Includes half face and full face respirators
Does not include dust masks
Must be in the Cornell University Respirator Protection Program
If job requires a respirator
And for voluntary use
Contact Dustin O’Hara at

31. Chemical Safety Proper Labeling Chemical Segregation Chemical Storage
Peroxide Formers

32. Chemical Labeling All containers must be labeled
Includes wash bottles, reagent bottles, and other chemical containers
Labels must identify contents
For original containers
Tape label if it is falling off
Relabel with permanent label
Deface old labels that do not accurately describe contents of chemical containers

33. Chemical Labeling Labels on non-original containers should include:
Full chemical name
Hazards present > flammable, corrosive, health hazards
If using structures, formulas, or abbreviations
Should have a key explaining abbreviations
Recommend using EH&S Right-To-Know labels (see

34. Chemical Labeling Should date containers when received and opened
Dispose of expired and old chemicals
Especially recommended for peroxide formers

35. Chemical Segregation Store chemicals according to hazard class
Do not store chemicals by:
Alphabetically
Carbon number (organic chemicals)
Liquids versus solids
Small bottles versus large bottles
Whatever fits on the shelf
Until chemicals have been segregated

36. Chemical Segregation Benefits of segregation by hazard classes
Safer storage
Increase knowledge about the chemical
Identify potentially explosive chemicals
Identify multiples of the same chemical
Read container labels and MSDSs
Assistance with lab cleanouts and segregating chemicals is available, contact EH&S for more information

37. General Hazard Classes
Flammable liquids
Flammable solids
Water reactives
Oxidizers
Cyanides
Compressed gases
Poisons
Organic acids
Inorganic acids
Nitric acid
Perchloric acid
Bases
Radioactive
Biohazards

38. Chemical Storage Minimize amount of chemicals stored
Take advantage of Just-In-Time delivery
Store small bottles in front of large bottles
Store with labels facing out

39. Chemical Storage
Store older and used bottles in front of full containers
Use up the older containers and containers with smaller amounts remaining first
Do not store hazardous liquids above eye level
Especially no acids or bases
Other chemicals injurious to the eyes

40. Chemical Storage
Recommend storing chemicals in secondary containers such as trays, buckets, or bottle holders
Recommend labeling cabinets and storage areas with hazard class labels
Rule of thumb - should not store more than 10 gallons of flammables outside a flammable cabinet
Includes flammable chemicals in use

41. Peroxide Formers Hazards of peroxide formers
Flammable
Can form potentially explosive crystals
All peroxide formers should be tested for peroxides every 6 months from the date opened
Record test date and results on container
Should also record date opened
Test strips available at Chemistry stockroom
Minimize quantities stored

42. Peroxide Formers Common examples include:
Ethyl ether
Dioxane
Tetrahydrofuran
Sodium amide
Potassium metal
There are many others out there – read material safety data sheets

43. Chemical Waste / EPA Hazardous Waste Issues
Satellite Accumulation Areas
Other Wastes
Universal Wastes
Used Oil

44. Hazardous Waste Issues
All hazardous waste containers must be labeled with the words “Hazardous Waste” and with words identifying the contents
All hazardous waste containers must be kept closed
Containers must be in good condition
EPA and “Inherently waste-like”

45. Hazardous Waste Issues
Do not store chemicals in or around sinks without secondary containment
Waste should be stored in secondary containment
Trays, buckets, etc
Segregate by hazard class

46. Hazardous Waste Issues
Leave some airspace in waste containers
Do not accumulate excessive amounts of waste
Accumulate waste in the smallest size container needed for the experiment
Date containers when you are ready to submit a waste tag to EH&S

47. Hazardous Waste Issues
Satellite Accumulation Area
The term EPA uses for where you generate your waste
Hazardous waste must be stored at or near the point of generation
Means in the lab the waste was generated
Do not move waste between rooms
EPA would interpret this as creation of a 90 day storage area similar to what EH&S maintains

48. Other Wastes
Check with building manager first to see what program they have for other wastes
Universal wastes
Used oil
Solutions containing Silver

49. Universal Wastes Includes used batteries and light bulbs
Needs to be labeled with the words “Universal Waste _______”
Universal waste needs to have an accumulation start date
Dispose of within one year
Recommend disposal within 9 months

50. Used Oil Must label container with the words “Used Oil”
Must store used oil in a proper container in good condition
Keep containers closed to minimize spills
Should store in secondary containers such as trays

51. Used Oil Do not mix other waste with used oil
Doing so can result in hazardous waste
Contact your building manager for the location of used oil drum in the building

52. Solutions Containing Silver
EH&S has a program to recycle Silver
Using a Silver filtering unit
Examples include:
Photographic fixers
Silver nitrate staining solutions
Contact your DSR for the location of the nearest Silver filtering unit or call Nathan Clark at EH&S at

53. Other Regulations Radioactive Materials Biohazardous Materials Lasers
Pesticides
Shipping
Security

54. Radioactive Materials
All rooms using radioactive materials must be listed on the radioactive materials permit
Exposure areas marked
All rad work surfaces must be labeled with rad signs or tape around the perimeter
No food or drink are allowed in rad labs

55. Radioactive Materials
Radioactive stocks must be locked up if no one is in the lab
Contact Agnes Morris with questions at

56. Biohazards Requirements for Biohazardous materials
Access to room must be restricted
Includes proper signage on door
Hygiene and decontamination protocols are required
No food or drink are allowed in labs with biohazardous materials

57. Biohazards Biological Safety Cabinets
Used for containment procedures for aerosols/splashes
Not designed for use as a chemical fume hood
Requires annual certification by an outside contractor
Vet school has a contract with B&V Testing
Other schools need to make their own arrangements

58. Biohazards
Training may include Blood Borne Pathogen and/or Basic Biosafety training
Self audit form available on the EH&S webpage
Contact the Biosafety Officer - Frank Cantone at with any questions

59. Biohazard Sharps Sharps that require disposal in a sharps container
Needles and syringes
Or any item contaminated with a biohazardous agent or used in a biomedical laboratory
Pasteur pipettes, razor blades, scapels, microscope slides, and broken glass

60. Biohazard Sharps Must use a commercially available sharps container
Puncture resistant
Leakproof
Labeled with the biohazard symbol
Used food containers are NOT acceptable

61. Biohazards
All Regulated Medical Waste non-sharp items must be placed in red biohazard bags
Plasticware, gloves, toweling, etc
Must have a completed Cornell University Medical Waste Tracking Tag for disposal of Regulated Medical Waste

62. Biohazards Dispose of Regulated Medical Waste through EH&S
Vet College has separate procedures
Contact Kevin Fitch with questions at

63. Lasers
There are special requirements for class 3A and higher Lasers

64. Lasers Class 3A Lasers must be labeled with
The words “Caution” or “danger”
The hazard class
Power output
Type of laser
Wavelength
Pulse duration, if applicable
The room/work area must also be labeled with this information

65. Lasers Class 3B or 4 Laser requirements
Labeling similar to Class 3A requirements
Signs, including lighted signs when in use
Proper eye protection
Interlocking and/or blocking
Power control / cutoff switches
Standard Operating Procedures

66. Lasers There are special requirements for class 3A and higher Lasers
Proper training is also required
EH&S offers a Laser Safety training class
Contact Cindy Martin at for more information

67. Pesticides Pesticide use requirements
Proper labeling of containers
Proper training
Proper certification
Agricultural use, including greenhouses, require Worker Protection Standard (WPS) training
Contact Eric Harrington at or

68. Shipping
If shipping hazardous materials (including packages with dry ice), then you need proper training
DOT Hazardous Materials Shipping training
EH&S offers this training class
Contact Mike Lonon at for more information

69. Security
Understand that security of laboratories is a real issue in today’s world
Recognize that security is related to but different than laboratory safety
Accidental vs. intended
Realize there are simple steps you can take to help protect your laboratory and your research materials

70. Security Steps You Can Take
First identify what items you should try to protect
Take a fresh look at your building and work areas
Minimize the quantities of highly hazardous materials kept on hand
Utilize substitution or disposal
Control access to research areas
Keep doors locked when no one is present

71. Security Steps You Can Take
Secure your highly hazardous materials
Locked storage cabinets
Know who is in research areas
Question people you don’t know
“Can I help you?”
Consider using ID badges
Be informed and train research group members on your security policy

72. “Security of Hazardous Materials
Highly recommend attending the new EH&S training program:
“Security of Hazardous Materials
Used in Research”
Contact Czora at EH&S at for more information

73. Emergency Aisle Space Fire Extinguishers Combustible Storage
Spill Kits
Emergency Procedures
Eyewash/Showers
HASP

74. Emergency
Keep corridors and hallways clear of equipment, boxes, and other items
Aisle space
Storage of bottles, waste, boxes, equipment, wires, cords on floors
Need minimum of 36” aisle space between benches and equipment

75. Fire Extinguishers Do not block fire extinguishers
Check to make sure extinguishers are fully charged
If not, contact Clayton Bronson at
Do not block or wedge fire doors

76. Combustible Storage Combustibles include:
Wood, paper, boxes, plastics
Keep amount of combustibles stored to a minimum
Keep away from sources of ignition
Electric power panels, open flames, etc

77. Combustible Storage Ceiling clearance for the entire room
Sprinklered areas - must not store combustibles within 18” below the crown of the sprinkler head
Nonsprinklered areas - must not store any combustibles within 2 feet of ceiling

78. Eyewash/Showers Ensure easy access to eyewash and emergency showers
Handheld bottles not acceptable
Should test eyewashes weekly
Run/flush for 2-3 minutes
EH&S does annual inspections
Contact EH&S at when new units are installed

79. Spill Kits In case of an emergency or when in doubt, CALL 911 or
Call when using a cell phone
Spill kits are recommended, but need proper procedures and training
EH&S offers the training class “Cleaning Up Small Spills”

80. Hazard Assessment Signage Program (HASP)
All labs should have HASP signage on outside of door
HASP will be available on the EH&S webpage soon
Need to submit updates to your DSR
HASP files need to be sent to EH&S to convert the updates for you
Contact Robin Goodloe at or

81. Communication Chemical Hygiene Plan Standard Operating Procedures
Material Safety Data Sheets
Training

82. Chemical Hygiene Plan
Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) needs to be readily available
Required by OSHA
Recommend keeping hard copy in lab
Electronic version is acceptable
As part of the campus CHP, you still need to have site specific standard operating procedures

83. SOPs
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are required for handling highly hazardous materials:
Highly toxic chemicals
Carcinogenic materials

84. SOPs SOPs include information such as: Chemical hazards
Authorized personnel
Training requirements
Use location
Personal Protective Equipment
Waste disposal
Decontamination
Exposure
Spill control

85. SOPs See Chemical Hygiene Plan for more information
Generic and specific examples are available via the EH&S webpage - ww.ehs.cornell.edu
EH&S offers a “Writing SOPs” training class

86. Material Safety Data Sheets
Responsibility of supervisors to ensure MSDSs are accessible
Paper or electronic format
Should have MSDS websites bookmarked
Should be able to produce a MSDS within 5 minutes
EH&S recommends keeping hard copy of MSDSs in the lab
Always read the MSDS before working with new chemicals

87. Training
All lab workers are required to attend laboratory safety training
Should attend the EH&S training program “Chemical Safety for Laboratory Workers - Graduate Students and Employees”
Recommend hazardous waste training provided by EH&S for all generators of hazardous waste
Required by some departments and colleges

88. Training
To see a complete list of EH&S training, go to and point to Training, then click on Safety Education Course Listing

89. Keys To Success Cooperation vs. confrontation
Provide solutions, not just citations
Be patient and persistent with changes
Be proactive and schedule a Laboratory Workplace Consultation with EH&S to get started NOW!
Voluntary assistance
Includes a consultation report
Contact EH&S at
Or call Agnes Morris at

90. My Offer To You….
This training is available to all DSRs, faculty, staff, and graduate assistants at your location
“Hands On” In-Lab training is also available
You do the inspections
I’ll provide assistance and advice
to set up a time for this training program or for In-Lab training on inspecting your labs

91. Manager For Laboratory Safety Programs
QUESTIONS???
Your comments are appreciated, please fill out a training evaluation form. Thank You!
Jerry Gordon
Manager For Laboratory Safety Programs