Appendix C to Part 627 - Laboratory Safety Inspection Checklist

C-1. The checklist that follows is not an exhaustive list of the items to consider when inspecting facilities where etiologic agents are used. It does provide some basic guidelines to remind safety and nonsafety professionals of the things that need to be considered in the laboratories they manage. The checklist should be used as follows: All area should be inspected using the general list in C-2. Certain items are optional, such as radiation safety. If no radioactive material is present in the room, then this would not be applicable. For BL-1 facilities the list in C-2 is adequate, while BL-2, BL-3, and BL-4 facilities must use the list in C-2 together with the appropriate list in C-3 to C-5.

C-2. Basic checklist

(a) Housekeeping

(1) Is the room free of clutter?

(2) Are all aisles from the work areas to the available exits maintained clear of obstructions?

(3) Are all safety equipment items unobstructed and ready for use?

(4) Is the room clean?

(b) Fire safety

(1) Is the fire extinguisher hung in its proper place, ready for use, and unobstructed?

(2) Are there excess flammables located outside National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) approved cabinetry?

(3) Are all Class IA flammables that are in breakable containers in pint or smaller containers?

(4) Are all Class IB flammables that are in breakable containers in liter or smaller containers?

(c) Chemical safety

(1) Are the chemicals stored with compatible materials?

(2) Have the chemical fume hoods been certified in the last 6 months?

(3) Are the eyewash and deluge shower unobstructed and ready for use?

(4) Is the eyewash and deluge shower tested regularly to document proper operation?

(5) Is the organic waste container maintained in a closed position?

(6) Are all reagents and solutions properly labeled?

(7) Is a spill kit within a reasonable distance from the work areas?

(8) Is appropriate protective clothing available for the chemical hazards present?

(9) Is there a written hazard communication program?

(10) Have the personnel in the laboratory been trained in the provisions and principles of the hazard communication program?

(11) Are MSDSs located where they are available to the laboratory workers?

(12) Is there a written chemical hygiene plan?

(d) Radiation safety

(1) Are the radioactive materials stored double-contained?

(2) Is the containment for the radiation waste container adequate to preclude the spread of radiation?

(3) Are all containers appropriately labeled with radiation labels?

(4) Are all entrances to the room appropriately labeled?

(e) Electrical safety

(1) Are excess extension cords being utilized?

(2) Are there any frayed cords in the room?

(3) Are there any cords on the floor across normal traffic patterns in the room?

(f) General laboratory safety

(1) Are sharps discarded and destroyed in a safe manner?

(2) Are work surfaces decontaminated daily and after a spill?

(3) Is the appropriate attire worn by everyone in the room?

(4) Is there evidence that personnel eat, drink, smoke, or store food, drinks, or tobacco in the room?

(5) Was mouth pipetting observed?

(6) Are all gas cylinders secured and are all cylinders not in use capped?

(7) Are cylinders of oxidizers stored at least 20 feet from cylinders of flammable gases in the same room?

(8) Are the contents of the cylinders clearly labeled?

(9) Are the cylinders transported on appropriate dollies or hand trucks?

(10) Is there a written respiratory protection program where respirators are used?

(g) Etiologic agents

(1) Are all containers of etiologic agents appropriately labeled?

(i) Are freezers, refrigerators, and similar storage units labeled with the biohazard warning sign?

(ii) Are the storage and shipping containers adequate and properly labeled?

(2) Have all personnel been adequately trained in general microbiological techniques?

(3) Are laboratory doors kept closed when experiments are in progress?

(4) Are all operations conducted over plastic-backed absorbent paper or spill trays?

C-3. Biosafety level 2 supplemental checklist

(a) Are all floor drains filled with water or suitable disinfectant?

(b) Is the SOP for an etiologic agent spill signed by all personnel who work with etiologic agents in the room?

(c) If biological safety cabinets are used, have they been certified within the last year?

(d) Are the appropriate decontaminants available?

(e) Are all entrances to the laboratory posted with—

(1) The appropriate special provisions for entry?

(2) The universal biohazard symbol?

(3) The name and telephone number of the laboratory director or other responsible person?

(f) Is entry limited and restricted?

(g) Are gloves being worn when handling infected animals or infectious or toxic materials?

(h) Is eye and respiratory protection being worn in rooms where nonhuman primates are present?

(i) If materials are being transported off-site for decontamination, is the containment adequate?

C-4. Biosafety level 3 supplemental checklist

(a) Is laboratory clothing decontaminated before being sent to the laundry?

(b) Are all windows and penetrations through the walls and ceilings sealed?

(c) If biological safety cabinets are used, have they been certified within the last year?

(d) Are the appropriate decontaminants available?

(e) Are all entrances to the facility posted with—

(1) The appropriate special provisions for entry?

(2) The universal biohazard symbol?

(3) The name and telephone number of the laboratory director or other responsible person?

(f) Is entry limited and restricted?

(g) Are gloves being worn when handling infected animals or infectious or toxic materials?

(h) Is eye and respiratory protection being worn in rooms where nonhuman primates are present?

(i) Do the monitors indicate that the room is under negative pressure relative to all entrances?

(j) Are all vacuum lines protected with HEPA filters and liquid disinfectant traps?

(k) Is the autoclave being properly maintained and certified?

(l) Is the foot, elbow, or automatic handwash sink operating properly?

(m) Are all operations with etiologic agents being conducted inside biological safety cabinets or other approved engineering controls?

(n) Are all infected animals housed using appropriate primary containment systems?

(o) Do all personnel who enter rooms housing infected animals wear appropriate respiratory protection?

(p) Do personnel who exit rooms having infected animals leave their protective clothing in the animal and laboratory rooms?

(q) If available, has the UV pass box ouput been certified within the last 3 months?

C-5. Biosafety level 4 supplemental inspection checklist

(a) Precautions for all areas.

(1) Are all penetrations through the walls and ceilings sealed?

(2) Are the appropriate decontaminants available and used properly?

(3) Are all entrances to the facility posted with—

(i) The appropriate special provisions for entry?

(ii) The universal biohazard symbol?

(iii) The name and telephone number of the laboratory director or other responsible person?

(4) Is access to the laboratory controlled strictly and documented?

(5) Do the monitors indicate that the room is under negative pressure relative to all entrances?

(6) Are all vacuum lines protected with HEPA filters and liquid disinfectant traps?

(7) Is the autoclave being properly maintained and certified?

(8) Is the foot, elbow, or automatic handwash sink operating properly?

(9) Do the self-closing doors to the facility operate properly?

(10) Do personnel completely exchange street clothing for laboratory clothing before entry and shower upon exiting?

(11) Is the dunk tank disinfectant fresh and appropriate for the agents in use?

(b) Suit areas.

(1) Are all operations with etiologic agents conducted in Class I or II biological safety cabinets?

(2) Do the procedures in place ensure that, as much as possible, the contamination remains inside the cabinets (such as ensuring that everything removed from within the cabinets, such as gloves being worn, instruments, glassware, or similar items, are decontaminated or properly packaged first)?

(3) Are the Class I or II cabinets in the facility certified every 6 months?

(4) Does the suit decontamination shower have adequate appropriate decontaminant available?

(5) Has the suit decontamination shower been used or tested in the last month?

(6) Is the ventilated suit air supply and emergency air supply adequate and working properly?

(7) Is the emergency alarm system working properly?

(8) Are all of the one-piece positive pressure suits available for use in serviceable condition?

(9) Are infected animals housed in appropriate primary containment systems?

(10) Is the static pressure in the suit area negative to all surrounding areas?

(c) Nonsuit areas.

(1) Are all operations with etiologic agents conducted inside Class III biological safety cabinets?

(2) Were the Class III biological safety cabinets certified before initiating the current operation?

(3) Are all infected animals housed in Class III cabinet containment caging systems?