University of Maryland Baltimore
Environmental Health and Safety
The below serves solely as an informative guideline to help researchers and laboratory personnel
maintain a safe laboratory environment. Included are major areas of concern that EHS currently
includes in their Laboratory Safety Audit Program. Questions are always welcomed, with training
provided and specific on-site consultation available by appointment.
Radiation Safety performs periodic audits independently. These guidelines are not inclusive of
the Radiation Safety Audit Program.
Please distribute this information freely. Encourage your staff and associates to address issues
found in the laboratory as very serious concerns. The EHS website is currently being updated
with additional references, checklists and advice pertaining to the Laboratory Safety Audit
Program. This information is online at www.ehs.umaryland.edu/OSH/LabAuditWebsite/index.cfm.
Updates and dynamic-interface resources will be forthcoming in the months ahead.
All material is subject to change. Specific questions related to the information below can be
directed to the appropriate division, via http://www.ehs.umaryland.edu/Misc/calllist.cfm
Sample Audit Checklist:
(as of July 06)
Door Signage
Missing or outdated
An updated door sign must be posted at the entrance(s) of the laboratory. Door signage must reflect the current Principal Investigator, emergency contact information, and laboratory hazards. Please visit www.ehs.umaryland.edu, and login to MyEHS to access the Door Sign Request form. Select "More Info" for each hazard to determine applicability to your laboratory.
Safety Showers
Unavailable
Contact your Department Administrator to have a safety shower installed in your work area.
Inaccessible
All material that impedes access to the safety shower must be removed.
Not tested annually
Contact Operations and Maintenance to have the safety shower tested.
No visible signage
A sign identifying the location of the safety shower needs to be installed. Several vendors provide preprinted signs for this purpose. (i.e.- www.labsafety.com, Item # 20393)
Eyewashes/Drench hoses
Unavailable
Have your Department Administrator contact Facilities Management at (410) 706-7570 to have an eyewash installed. Personal or disposable eyewash bottles are not recommended, and must be discarded when expired. Affordable eyewashes can be purchased from several vendors. (i.e.- www.labsafety.com, Item # 8252) Facilities Management will not provide these.
Inaccessible
All material that impedes access to the eyewash station must be removed.
Nonfunctioning
Have your Department Administrator contact Facilities Management at (410) 706-7570 to have the eyewash station repaired.
Not tested monthly
Eyewash stations and drench hoses must be activated regularly to ensure that clear, fresh water is available. Laboratory staff must test the station monthly, and document compliance at or near the station. Several vendors provide pre-printed tags for this purpose. (i.e.- www.labsafety.com, Item # 34023T)
No visible signage
A sign identifying the location of the eyewash or drench hose station needs to be installed. Several vendors provide preprinted signs for this purpose. (i.e.- www.labsafety.com, Item # 20393)
Fume Hoods
Inaccessible
Material that impedes access to the fume hood must be removed.
Improper use or storage
Fume hoods must remain clear of all excess chemicals and equipment. The fume hood sash should be lowered to approximately four inches when not in use, and must be capable of closing fully in an emergency. Ample space must be kept clear to allow the technician a safe working area. All chemicals and equipment not actively being used must be stored appropriately.
Not certified
If the fume hood has failed inspection, all chemical and material hazards must be removed and stored appropriately. Contact Facilities Management at (410) 706-7570 to have the fume hood repaired. Once repaired, contact EHS to have the fume hood re-certified prior to resuming work.
Biosafety Cabinets
Inaccessible
Material that impedes access to the biosafety cabinet must be removed.
Improper use or storage
Biosafety cabinets must remain clear of all excess chemicals and equipment. The biosafety cabinet sash should be lowered to approximately four inches when not in use, and must be capable of closing fully in an emergency. Ample space must be kept clear to allow the technician a safe working area. All chemicals and equipment not actively being used must be stored appropriately.
Exhaust filter obstructed
Material blocking the exhaust filter of the biosafety cabinet must be removed.
Not tested annually
Biosafety cabinets must be certified annually, after repairs, and after relocation. Several vendors offer this service, including B&V at (800) 851-9081, and LFC at (703) 404-4300. If the biosafety cabinet has failed inspection, all biological and material hazards must be removed and stored appropriately. Work may not be resumed until the unit is fully operational and re-certified.
Personal Protective Equipment
Not in use
Eye protection, protective gloves and a laboratory coat must be worn while conducting laboratory experiments. These are minimum requirements applicable to all laboratories. Perform a risk assessment to determine if additional measures are necessary.
Not available
Eye protection, protective gloves and a laboratory coat must be made available to all personnel conducting laboratory experiments. These are minimum requirements applicable to all laboratories. Perform a risk assessment to determine if additional measures are necessary.
Unauthorized respirator usage
Respirators should not be necessary in the laboratory when proper safe work practices are employed. Contact EHS at (410) 706-3490 to review the issue specific to your needs.
Laboratory Safety
Poor housekeeping
Routine maintenance in the laboratory must be improved. Chemicals and equipment that are not in use must be properly stored or disposed of. Walkways, benches and active work spaces must free from obstructions. Ongoing experiments must be organized, labeled and contained, leaving ample workspace for safe work practices.
Evidence of eating, drinking or cosmetics
Eating, drinking or the application of cosmetics in the laboratory is strictly prohibited. Under no circumstances may food, drink or cosmetic products (exception hand cream) be present in the lab. This includes storage of unopened food, water bottles, coffee mugs, nail polish, lipstick, etc. Empty wrappers, cups, containers, etc. must be discarded prior to entering the laboratory. Samples specifically intended for analysis or animal use must be clearly labeled as such.
There are no "clean areas" in a laboratory. Separate break rooms or kitchenettes must be used for all food, drink and cosmetics, and free from the storage of any biological, chemical or radioactive hazard.
Tripping hazards present
Walkways must be free of boxes, equipment or other obstructions. Loose cords must be removed, or secured with protective stripping to prevent friction or damage.
No hand washing materials
A sink must be available with paper towels and liquid soap for hand washing. If a sink needs to be installed, please contact your Department Administrator.
Spill response not available
Absorbent pads, paper towels, vermiculite or oil dry must be available to clean up spills. Materials used to clean up hazardous waste must be labeled and treated as hazardous waste. Many vendors sell prepackaged kits. Alternatively, suggestions for a simple kit may be found on the EHS website, at
Electrical Safety
Electrical panels are blocked
Material that impedes access to the electrical panel must be removed. At least 36 inches in front of the panel must remain clear at all times.
Electrical cords are damaged
Electrical cords must be securely plugged into wall outlets with the grounding prongs intact. Equipment with cracked, frayed or damaged cords must be taken out of service until the cord may be repaired or replaced.
Extension cords in use
Extension cords may not be used as permanent wiring, and must be removed. If additional outlets are required, ask your Department Administrator to arrange for additional outlets to be installed within the laboratory. Please see
http://www.ehs.umaryland.edu/firesafety/extcords.cfm for specific requirements.
Fire Safety
Sprinkler heads are obstructed
Sprinkler heads require a minimum of 18 inches of clearance in all directions. All material that interferes with the performance of the sprinkler heads must be removed.
Combustibles within 18" of ceiling
Cardboard boxes and other combustible materials within 18 inches of the ceiling must be relocated.
Fire extinguisher inaccessible
Material that impedes access to a fire extinguisher must be removed. Specific questions regarding placement or testing of fire extinguishers may be directed to the Fire Marshal by calling EHS at (410) 706-3494.
Fire extinguisher not tested annually
Fire extinguishers must be tested annually or discarded. Several vendors offer testing and recharge services. To discard of a fire extinguisher, contact Facilities Management at (410) 706-7570..
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Cylinders are not secured
Compressed gas cylinders must be secured to a wall, bench mount, floor bracket or other stable fixture to prevent falling. Protective valve caps must be tightly in place when regulators are not in use.
Many vendors provide fixtures and mounting units. Have your Department Administrator contact Facilities Management at (410) 706-7570 to have mounting fixtures installed. (Facilities Management will not provide these.)
Biosafety
Unprotected sharps are present
When not in use, razor blades and other sharps must be stored in a protective device, or disposed of in a disposable sharps container. Manual recapping of needles is prohibited.
Biohazard labels are missing
All equipment and materials used to store or process potentially infectious material must be labeled with the universal "Biohazard" symbol. Several vendors provide pre-printed stickers for this purpose. (i.e.- www.labelmaster.com, Item # H-BBLR)
Clean Air Benches in use
Clean Air Benches are not biological safety cabinets. These benches may not be used when handling cell culture materials or drug formulations, or when manipulating potentially infectious materials. These devices only provide product protection.
Clean air benches should not be used in research, biomedical or veterinary laboratories at the University. For more information, contact the Biosafety Officer at EHS by calling (410) 706-7845.
Vacuum lines are unprotected
Building and laboratory vacuum systems must be protected during vacuum filtration or aspiration procedures. Vacuum lines must be off when not in use.
High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) disposable cartridges must be used to prevent fluid and aerosol contamination of vacuum lines and vacuum pumps. HEPA disposable cartridge filters are available from several scientific supply vendors. (i.e.- www.labsafety.com, Item # 99954)
Biohazardous Waste
Biohazard waste containers are unlabeled
All biohazardous waste containers must be labeled with the Universal Biohazard symbol. For more information regarding the management of infectious materials, consult the Bloodborne Pathogen Control Plan, at
http://www.ehs.umaryland.edu/biosafety/bbp.cfm .
Waste is stored in public areas
Do not store biohazardous waste on the floor, in hallways or in other areas accessible to the general public, where it may be mistaken for regular trash. Waste must be stored in secondary containment, or within lined biohazardous waste boxes (available from EHS). Do not overfill containers.
For proper packaging and management of biohazardous waste, consult the EHS website, at http://www.ehs.umaryland.edu/waste/biologic.cfm ..
No liquid materials are permissible in containers designated for biohazardous, radioactive or broken glassware waste. For proper packaging and management of biohazardous waste, consult the EHS website, at
http://www.ehs.umaryland.edu/waste/biologic.cfm .
Chemical or radioactive waste in the biohazardous waste
Only biohazardous materials may be disposed of in the biohazardous waste containers. Remove chemical or radioactive materials from the containers and dispose of them properly. Place paper towels, equipment wrapping and cardboard boxes in the regular trash. For the proper management of these waste streams, please consult the EHS website, at http://www.ehs.umaryland.edu/waste/waste_disposal_guidebook.cfm ..
Broken glassware boxes used for biohazardous waste
Broken glassware boxes must be lined with durable plastic bags. The boxes may only be used for the disposal of non-infectious, non-contaminated glassware. No biohazardous, chemical, or radioactive materials can go into these containers. Paper towels, gloves and other debris must be placed in the regular trash. For the proper management of these waste streams, please consult the EHS website, at
http://www.ehs.umaryland.edu/waste/waste_disposal_guidebook.cfm .
Chemical Storage
Containers unlabeled or labeled improperly
All containers must be labeled, in English, with their chemical contents. This includes buffers, aspirant waste flasks, autoclavable broths, squirt bottles, etc. Chemical formulas are not permitted as the sole means of identification. Reused containers must be completely defaced of the old label, prior to relabeling with the new contents. Unlabeled containers are automatically considered unknown hazardous waste, and are problematic and expensive to dispose of.
Containers are in poor condition
All chemical containers must be in good condition with no visible damage or deterioration. Caps must be secure, intact, and without chemical residue. Labels must be intact, and fully legible. Containers found to be leaking, rusted, or forming precipitates must be disposed of as chemical waste. Storage of hazardous chemicals for speculative use is not permitted. Itemize chemicals to be removed, and submit the list to EHS for a chemical waste pick-up at
http://www.ehs.umaryland.edu/waste/waste_removal_request_forms.cfm
Corrosives are stored above eye level
The University prohibits the storage of liquid corrosives above eye-level. Storage of corrosive material below eye level minimizes the risk of spills, and bodily injury.
Inhalation hazards used outside a fume hood
Chemicals representing an inhalation hazard must be used in a chemical fume hood. When not in use, chemical containers must be securely capped, and free from exterior contamination.
Improper storage of flammable material
Flammable solids and liquids must be isolated from potential sources of ignition, including acids. No more than 10 gallons of flammable liquids in a laboratory may be stored outside a flammable storage cabinet.
More detailed information may be found on the EHS website, at http://www.ehs.umaryland.edu/firesafety/flam_liq.cfm . Contact the University Fire Marshall at (410) 706-3494 for assistance in selecting a flammable storage cabinet.
Chemical Safety
Not segregated by compatibility
Chemicals must be classified by hazard class, and stored with regard to reactivity. Alphabetic order alone is insufficient, and chemicals are not to be stacked on one another. Use the printed hazard icons on chemical labels to determine hazard class, or the Material Safety Data Sheet if the icons are not present. Information and examples may be found via http://www.ehs.umaryland.edu/waste/segregat.cfm, and http://www.ehs.umaryland.edu/osh/chemincompat.cfm .
Flammables in refrigerators or freezers
Flammable liquids stored in a non-explosionproof refrigerator or freezer must be removed. If flammable liquids (organic peroxides, etc) require storage in a refrigerator, you must use an explosion proof refrigerator. Contact your Department Administrator, or the University Fire Marshal at (410) 706-3494, for assistance in selecting an explosion-proof refrigerator.
Acids are stored with flammables
Acids and flammable liquids must be stored separately from each other. Store inorganic and organic acids in separate secondary containment. Flammable liquids must be stored separately.
Oxidizers are stored with flammables
Oxidizers and flammable liquids must be stored separately from each other. Store oxidizers together, in secondary containment, away from other reactive chemicals. Flammable liquids must be stored separately.
Water-reactives are stored near water
Water-reactive chemicals must be stored in secondary containment, away from faucets, sinks and other sources of moisture. Store water-reactives in a desiccator, or under an inert atmosphere, if available.
Peroxide-forming Chemicals
Not dated upon receipt and opening
Peroxide-forming chemicals must be labeled with the date of receipt, and with the date the material is opened. All peroxide-forming chemicals must be discarded six months after opening, or by the expiration date, whichever occurs first. Request a chemical waste removal through the EHS website, at
Stored beyond expiration date
Expired peroxide-forming chemicals may form very sensitive explosive material, and must be removed from the lab immediately by trained personnel. NEVER handle expired containers, or test chemicals for peroxides within the lab. Request a chemical waste removal through the EHS website, at
http://www.ehs.umaryland.edu/waste/waste_removal_request_forms.cfm .
Chemical Waste
Not labeled "Hazardous Waste"
All containers used for the collection of hazardous wastes must be labeled with the words, "Hazardous Waste". The guidelines on labeling containers are on the EHS website, at http://www.ehs.umaryland.edu/waste/labelchm.cfm. For your convenience, labels that meet these requirements are available via http://www.ehs.umaryland.edu/waste/labels.cfm .
Not labeled with constituents and date
All containers used for the collection of hazardous wastes must be labeled with the chemical names, spelled out in English. Chemical abbreviations, formulas, and structures are not acceptable. In addition, all constituents of a solution must be listed by percentage. Date the label with the date material was first added to the container. The guidelines on labeling containers are on the EHS website, at http://www.ehs.umaryland.edu/waste/labelchm.cfm. For your convenience, labels that meet these requirements are available via http://www.ehs.umaryland.edu/waste/labels.cfm .
Containers in poor condition
All chemical containers must be in good condition with no visible damage or deterioration. Caps must be secure, intact, and without chemical residue. Labels must be intact, and fully legible. Any container found to be leaking, rusted, or forming precipitates must be disposed of immediately as chemical waste.
Storage of hazardous chemicals for speculative use is not permitted. Itemize chemicals to be removed, and submit the list to EHS for a chemical waste pick-up. The guidelines on hazardous waste container management are located on the EHS website, at http://www.ehs.umaryland.edu/waste/contain.cfm .
Containers open or unsealed
Tight-fitting lids are required on all chemical containers. Funnels remaining in the containers, corks with holes, aluminum foil and parafilm are all examples of unacceptable lids. The guidelines on hazardous waste container management are located on the EHS website, at http://www.ehs.umaryland.edu/waste/contain.cfm.
Not stored in secondary containment
All containers storing liquid chemical waste require secondary containment, such as a plastic tub capable of containing the contents in the event of breakage or leakage. The guidelines on hazardous waste container management are located on the EHS website, at http://www.ehs.umaryland.edu/waste/contain.cfm.
Chemical Waste Storage
Waste is not stored at the point of generation
All chemical waste must be stored in the laboratory in which it was generated. Taking hazardous waste to central accumulation areas, or consolidating the waste with other laboratories, is not permitted. Do not place chemical waste in hallways, in areas accessible to the general public, or where it may be mistaken for general trash.
Waste is not under the control of the generator
All hazardous waste must be stored in a controlled location that can be secured by the generator.
Waste is stored in excess of regulatory limits
The maximum amount of waste that can be stored in a laboratory is 55 gallons. The exception to this pertains to the generation of acutely hazardous waste (P-listed), for which the limit is one quart. For a list of acutely hazardous waste visit the EHS website at http://www.ehs.umaryland.edu/waste/pulist.htm
Empty containers are being disposed of improperly
Empty chemical containers may be disposed of in the regular municipal trash or broken glassware boxes, provided they are completely empty and the chemical labels are completely defaced. The only exceptions are containers previously holding acutely hazardous waste, or P-listed waste, as listed here: http://www.ehs.umaryland.edu/waste/pulist.htm . In this instance, the container must be triple-rinsed, with the rinsate collected as hazardous waste. Alternatively, the generator may dispose of the P-listed empty containers through EHS as hazardous waste, by submitting a chemical waste pick-up request. The guidelines for empty containers are located at
http://www.ehs.umaryland.edu/waste/contain.cfm .
Radiation Safety
Unauthorized material is present
Radioactive material may only be stored and used in areas designated for such use by the Radiation Safety Office. Contact the Radiation Safety Officer at (410) 706-6281 to register this area, or cease the use of radioactive materials in this area.
Unregistered lasers are present
Lasers may only be stored and used in areas registered with the Radiation Safety Office. Contact the Radiation Safety Officer at (410) 706-6281 to register this area, or cease the use of lasers in this area.
Other
Used/Waste oil mislabeled
Uncontaminated oil from vacuum pumps and other laboratory equipment should be labeled as "Used Oil". "Used Oil" may be returned to the servicing vendor, or disposed of through EHS. "Waste Oil" is a specific designation for oil
contaminated with chemical hazardous waste (such as PCBs), which must be treated or disposed of at greater expense. "Waste Oil" should only be used when such contamination is known or suspected.
Mercury thermometers in use
The EPA regulates mercury as a hazardous waste for any compound exceeding 0.2 parts per million. The University strongly encourages the use of non-toxic alternatives to mercury-containing thermometers and devices. Several vendors offer digital and alcohol alternatives with comparable range, tolerance and precision at a comparable cost. (i.e.- www.vwr.com, Item # 61066-104)
Existing mercury thermometers and devices may be turned over to EHS for disposal. Contact EHS at (410) 706-7207 to report a mercury spill or release.
