 |
|
ABC of Safety in the Biological Sciences
| Floors: | |
| Clean? | |
| Clear of obstacles? | |
| Damaged surface? | |
| Free from spills? | |
| Loose covering? | |
| Rough or uneven. | |
| Wet or slippery floors, especially in histology laboratories. | |
| Aisles: | |
| Adequately lit? | |
| Clean and clear of obstacles? | |
| Congestion in work place or of traffic flow. | |
| Free from protrusions? | |
| Wide enough? | |
| Equipment: | |
| Adequate for the job? | |
| Adequate guarding? | |
| Adequate work space? | |
| Clean? | |
| Noise level satisfactory? | |
| Well maintained? | |
| Work surfaces: | |
| Clean? | |
| Clear of electrical leads? | |
| Damaged surface? | |
| Free from spills? | |
| Tidy and uncluttered? | |
| Lighting: | |
| Are the light fittings optimally placed in relation to work? | |
| Do any tasks require special or additional lighting? | |
| Have employees complained about any aspect of the lighting in the past? | |
| Is there good light reflection from walls and ceilings? | |
| Laboratory adequately lit? | |
| Light fittings well maintained? | |
| No direct or reflected glare? | |
| Windows: | |
| Any draughts? | |
| Clean? Any broken? | |
| Easy to open? | |
| Ledges free of obstacles? | |
| Well fitting? | |
| Electrical: | |
| Adequate supply of sockets? | |
| Are extension cords used? | |
| No broken plugs, sockets or switches? | |
| No frayed or worn wires? | |
| No unprotected leads over benches or access ways? | |
| Hygiene: | |
| Adequate supply of lockers? | |
| Adequate toilet facilities? | |
| Adequate washing facilities? | |
| Facilities for drying and storing outdoor clothing. | |
| Poor housekeeping. | |
| Provision of protective clothing? | |
| Room for eating, drinking and meal preparation? | |
| Staff rest room? | |
| Supply of safety equipment? | |
| Chemical, toxic corrosive and dust hazard: | |
| Adequate ventilation for dust, fumes and vapours? | |
| Antidotes readily available for poisons? | |
| Emergency eye wash station? | |
| Emergency shower? | |
| Provision of appropriate safety handling equipment? | |
| Provision of fume cupboards for toxic substances? | |
| Provision of monitoring equipment for gases, radiation, etc.? | |
| Safe storage, labelling and handling protocols? | |
| Safety control: | |
| Appropriate protective clothing supplied? | |
| First aid equipment readily available? | |
| Gas, electric and other utilities clearly marked and suitably sited? | |
| Safety equipment safely stored and readily available? | |
| Storage: | |
| Adequate space? | |
| Clear traffic areas? | |
| Decomposed or contaminated containers. | |
| Enough shelves? | |
| Free of rubbish? | |
| Inflammable or explosive characteristics displayed. | |
| Poisonous characteristics displayed. | |
| Suitable storage for disposal of various wastes? | |
| Unsafe high level storage that could collapse. | |
| Unsafe storage or exposure to heat, moisture, vibration, flame, sparks, chemicals or electrical current. | |
| Use of unsafe storage containers | |
| Ventilation: | |
| Faulty ventilation particularly in storage areas. | |
| Fire safety: | |
| Access to fire equipment clear and unobstructed? | |
| Adequate provision of fire extinguishers, regularly checked? | |
| Adequate training for staff in fire fighting and use of equipment? | |
| Clear instructions displayed in the event of a fire? | |
| Correct operation of fire doors? | |
| Emergency telephone number displayed? | |
| Fire doors and exists clearly marked? | |
| Flammable and explosive material suitably and safely stored? | |
| Regular evacuation to familiarise staff with evacuation procedures? | |
| Sprinkler systems or other alarms regularly checked for operation? | |
| Look at Staff For | |
| Failure to follow safety protocols. | |
| Failure to use supplied safety equipment. | |
| Horseplay in the laboratory. | |
| Lack of adequate footwear. | |
| Lack of adequate protective clothing. | |
Table 4: Checklist 2
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