There is an aspect to lab safety that has been overlooked. Lab clutter. I had a lab that was old (since closed) to begin with, but with a lot of messiness to it. Old equipment that was unused/outmoded/broken that took up valuable lab bench space and impeded the work that was going on. It took a lot of jawing and threats during the inspections to finally get rid of most of it. The difference was amazing afterwards.
It also led to incomplete cleanups of the bench tops which were hazards also. Who knew what the residue contained.
Lab inspections should be mandatory at all labs for all the reasons given from cleanliness to outdated chemicals and to cracked/chipped glassware. This has been an excellent discussion and a challenge to all lab inspectors.
Ken Smith (ex CIH, Retired)
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**med.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Daniel Crowl
Sent: Monday, February 01, 2016 9:26 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Laboratory Safety Inspections
I think the lab inspections should be used as a very important performance monitoring function. It will give you good information on how well the safety program is working and how to improve it. The lab is where the safety program "wheels hit the road." Deficiencies in the lab may also show weaknesses in upper management or other places far removed from the lab.
=E2=80=8BDan Crowl
Chemical Engineering
University of Utah
On Mon, Feb 1, 2016 at 9:51 AM, TILAK CHANDRA <tilak.chandra**At_Symbol_Here**wisc.edu> wrote:
Lab inspection benefits:
=E2=80=A2 Laboratory safety inspections enhance overall laboratory safety and
awareness
=E2=80=A2 Improves connectivity and relations between safety and labs/department
=E2=80=A2 Reduces communication gaps between safety and researchers
=E2=80=A2 Aids to know about the chemical process and safety mechanism
=E2=80=A2 Provides mechanism to improve the LSCHPs and SOPs for chemical
manipulations.
Good luck.
Tilak
Tilak Chandra, Ph.D.
Chemical Safety Specialist
UW-Madison
tchandra**At_Symbol_Here**fpm.wisc.edu
Ph. 608-890-0255
608-622-9761 (Cell)
"--our job in safety is to make the task happen, SAFELY; not to interfere with the work-" Neal Langerman
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**med.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of April Karr
Sent: Friday, January 29, 2016 5:55 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Laboratory Safety Inspections
All,
Trying to do a little benchmarking; could you please share with me:
1.) Does your Institution do laboratory safety inspections?
2.) What areas are covered (general safety, chemical safety, biosafety, etc)?
3.) How often?
4.) How did you justify the need for these inspections to leadership?
Thanks much!
April Karr | Chemical Safety Officer/Laboratory Safety Advisor
Oregon Health & Science University
Environmental Health & Radiation Safety | Mail code: PP170
3181 SW Sam Jackson Pk Rd |Portland, OR 97239
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