Lab Safety Audit Report & progress

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
LABORATORY SAFETY AUDIT REPORT - 2012
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INTRODUCTION
The objective of this Laboratory Safety Audit is to evaluate the Overall Safety initiatives, existing control
measures and its effectiveness. In order to understand the current situation & take necessary corrections,
the Safety & Security Committee has been entrusted the responsibility to HSE Specialist.
The recommendations would emphasize the overall improvements required for safety initiatives in the
Labs that contribute to the minimization of Loss/Accident potential eventually.
It is intended that this Executive Summary will shed light on common safety issues in the labs. Detailed
individual lab reports are available and are ready to be submitted to the committee as required.
Findings and Recommendations (Common Factors):
1. Absence of Documented Lab Safety Procedures:
All laboratories in FMHS are operating without written Laboratory Procedure which makes it difficult
for anyone to follow a systematic approach towards safe operation. At present, the approach which
is followed regarding the laboratory safety is different from person to person.
A standard approach is very much required and a written policy will help in improving the overall
safety initiatives in the labs. Otherwise, whenever any new staff taking charge will have no clue on
the kind of procedure he should follow in the lab finally ends up in following his own approach, which
may not be safe and could make the matter complicated further.
2. Chemical Segregation, Labeling & Storing
a. It is observed that chemicals are not segregated as per the class in most of the labs. Those
who have segregated the chemicals are not following the correct method of segregation.
Segregating chemicals in an Alphabetical order is not safe as per the standard chemical
segregation practices. Most of the labs were found to be mixing the chemicals and storing it
without checking its compatibility properly.
b. For eg: storing corrosives with flammables.
c. Most of the labs are found to be not labeling the chemical cabinet.
d. Flammables were found storing in a normal cabinet. It should be stored in Safety cabinet.
3. Absence of Documented Chemical Handling Procedures:
Although most of the lab staff is aware of the specific hazards associated with chemical handling,
none of the labs have the written Safe Chemical Handling procedure (Please see the comments in #1)
4. Chemical Spillage kit and Spillage plan:
There is no chemical spillage kit available in any of the laboratories and in case of a spillage; there is
no plan/procedure available to handle the situation safely.
Chemical spillage kit should be provided and Laboratory staff should have access to spill control
materials appropriate to the type and amount of chemicals used or stored in the lab

5. Material Safety Data Sheet:
Majority of the labs are not maintaining the Material Safety Data Sheet in their respective
laboratories.
Hard copy of all the MSDS have to be made available all the time in the Lab. Keeping the soft copy of
the MSDS is not recommended as it could be difficult to get it in case of computer hard disk or
network failure.
6. Keeping Excessive Quantity of chemicals
It is observed that number of Laboratories are keeping at least 6 months stock of chemicals
(flammables, corrosives, solids etc) due to the immense delay in getting it. Currently the
procurement process is lengthy and hence, the chemical procurement is delayed immensely. This has
prompted the lab to keep big quantity as a stock.
This poses a big risk as most of the labs are facing space/store shortage issue. Accumulating
hazardous chemicals in bulk quantity is really matter of concern as the condition & kind of facility
inside the store to keep such quantity poses enormous risk.
7. Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs)
a. It is observed that most of the labs are not using the PPEs (lab coats, gloves, goggles etc) all
the time due to the reason that there is no standard lab safety policy available to follow
uniformly.
b. Most of the labs do not have stock of appropriate personal protective equipment such as
goggles, respiratory protections, gloves for different kind of chemicals etc.
This matter should be given utmost priority and strictly be implemented as it could pose a
real threat to individuals’ health in the long run. Lab safety training should be provided to all
laboratory staff to create awareness on lab safety and best practices.
Review & assess the requirements and quantity of PPE’s for each lab by the department head
and procure as per the individual lab requirements (eye wash, eye protection equipment,
special hand gloves, etc).
8. Eye Wash Solution Kit:
Most of the laboratories Eye wash solution kit was found to be empty.
A new set of Eye wash solution kit has to be provided. It should be filled regularly to ensure that the
solution is available in case of emergency.
9. Fire Extinguisher:
Fire Extinguisher is not provided to all the labs. Many labs are yet to have the fire extinguishers.
Fire extinguisher has to be provided and it is highly recommended to mount it on the wall as it will be
easier to locate and handle it.

10. Lack of awareness about emergency evacuation
Currently, majority of the lab staff do not have any information about the emergency evacuation
procedures, Emergency contact number for reporting an incident, location of the assembly area and
their individual responsibilities during emergency situation.
An emergency awareness training to has to be provided to all staff as soon as possible.
Laboratory emergency contacts and specific laboratory hazards must be posted at the
principal entrance to each laboratory, for emergency response personnel use.
Posting of evacuation routes is recommended as a part of the Emergency Action Plan.
11. Storage space for the labs
a. Some of the labs have pointed out that they are in short of place for storing their chemicals &
consumable items as few of the stores which they used in the past is now converted in to labs
which is prompting them to store bulk quantity of chemicals and consumables in the lab itself.
b. It is observed that some of the labs are showing tendency to keep the outdated/obsolete
equipment in the lab even though they are of no use. It is noticed that most of the items are
kept it just because it is recorded against individual name or they are unaware about the correct
hand over procedures.
c. Some of the labs are not utilizing their space efficiently and found to be unarranged
It is recommended to provide a central store which should be shared between the labs and
individual cabinets (with lock) should be provided to each lab to avoid mix up.
It is recommended to send the obsolete items to central store and hand over officially.
It is recommended to rearrange the lab as much as possible/reasonably well to have more
space.
12. Carton boxes
Most of the labs were found to be storing a lot carton boxes, both light and heavy on the top of the
cabinets.
Heavy Carton boxes have to be removed from the top and stored in a store room or any available
free space on the floor.
13. Absence of Safety posters
None of the labs have safety warning/caution posters.
In order to create safety awareness, it is imperative that safety information/warning/caution
posters must be posted inside and at the laboratory entrance as required.