What are different aspects for laboratory inspection? Why chemistry laboratory inspection is more crucial than physics laboratory?

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W hat is a Self-Inspection?

Laboratory self-inspection is a check of one's own physical space, processes, and practices to identify unsafe conditions. An effective self-inspection program focusing on safety and health issues includes assessing facilities, verifying that safeguards and safety equipment are available, and verifying that approved safety practices are being followed.

The occupant of a work space is the most knowledgeable on the conditions and operations that occur on a daily basis. The laboratory professional using a given instrument to perform a specific assay for a particular sample type has the most intimate, proximal knowledge of the safety issues involved in any particular process. Including laboratory staff in the inspection process helps the laboratory remain ever prepared for an audit or inspection.1 From the vantage point of the laboratory bench, the staff member can determine whether appropriate controls, as listed in Table 1, are in place.

Any unsafe work practices observed during a self-inspection can become an opportunity for training. Adult learners are result-oriented and usually like to be viewed as leaders making choices through active participation in the process. Learning by doing will result in longer-term recall and the incorporation of safer practices at the work bench

The foundation for implementing a laboratory self-inspection program covering safety and health in clinical laboratories is already in place in most clinical laboratories. Laboratory safety inspections can identify and prevent problems before they occur; however, the verification format needs to include more than a review of manuals and records.

• Quality assessment (QA) programs in existence encourage laboratory management teams to fundamentally shift the organization's mindset and culture to one that embraces quality management systems concepts.
• Self-inspection checklists follow the format and requirements for other elements in a laboratory's QA program.
• Safety and health is included in laboratory accreditation programs, with questions and supporting information available for members to use as part of their pre-review process.
• Checklists are used in laboratories as an effective way to keep track of maintenance and calibration activities.

Why Safety and Health Audits?

Laboratory workers have the legal right to a safe workplace. OSHA, as established by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, enforces protective safety and health standards in all United States workplaces.According to OSHA,

Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health.

Twenty-five US states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands have developed and currently operate their own OSHA-approved safety and health programs. These programs may have slight variations from those of federal OSHA but the standards of those programs must be at least as effective as those of federal OSHA. Since 1991, California is one of the US states with an approved state OSHA program. Cal OSHA requires all private employers with 20 or more employees to have a written, effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) in place.15 Material available from the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) provides guidance on elements to include in the written plan.

The benefits of an effective IIPP not only include improved workplace safety and health but also better morale, increased productivity, and overall reduced costs of doing business.OSHA also provides examples of effective IIPPs that have been shown to successfully reduce workplace injuries and illnesses.

Why Use a Checklist?

A checklist format, although not stipulated as a requirement by OSHA, provides a concise outline of key points for auditing safety and health in clinical or research laboratories. Table 2 lists key elements to consider when developing an effective checklist. . The document has the following qualities:

• Outlines standards applicable for the major hazards that laboratory workers are most likely to encounter in their daily tasks.
• Describes the hierarchy of controls framework used to systematically remove or reduce the potential for exposure to workplace hazards. 
• Includes a program description for potential hazards and applicable regulations arranged by classes of hazards:
• Chemical
• Biological, blood-borne pathogens
• Working with research animals
• Compressed gases, cryogens, and dry ice
• Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation
• Ergonomic
• Trips, slips, and falls
• Noise
• Equipment (autoclaves, centrifuges, bio safety cabinets, fume hoods, and lockout/tag-out devices)
• Electrical safety
• Fire safety
• Examine existing conditions
• Measure practices after safety training has been completed
• Record observations and correct deficiencies
• Verify continued correction
• Include a mechanism to identify trends and recurrent deficiencies
• Engage staff participation for awareness of policies and procedures

The end results and goals are to minimize and reduce safety and health risks, to create a safe workplace, and to promote safe work practices.

For clinical laboratories, safety and health considerations are required under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) revisions adopted in 2003 as part of developing an effective QA program to monitor quality throughout the testing process. Most laboratory accreditation programs include safety as part of QA in evaluating all facets of the laboratory's technical and nontechnical operations.

Chemistry lab inspection

Chemistry Lab

Teachers and teacher-aides should lead by example and wear personal protective equipment; follow and enforce safety rules, procedures, and practices; and demonstrate safety behavior and promote a culture of safety. They should be proactive in every aspect of laboratory safety, making safety a priority. The following is a checklist for teachers highlighting essential information for working in the high school laboratory. This is a general safety checklist and should be periodically re-evaluated for updates.

Upkeep of Laboratory and Equipment

Conduct regular inspections of safety and first aid equipment as often as requested by the administration. Record the inspection date and the inspector’s initials on the attached equipment inspection tag.

Notify the administration in writing if a hazardous or possibly hazardous condition (e.g., malfunctioning safety equipment or chemical hazard) is identified in the laboratory and follow through on the status. Never use defective equipment.

Record keeping

Keep organized records on safety training of staff for as long as required by the school system. Keep records of all laboratory incidents for as long as required by the school system.

Safety and Emergency Procedures

Educate students on the location and use of all safety and emergency equipment prior to laboratory activity.

Identify safety procedures to follow in the event of an emergency/accident. Provide students with verbal and written safety procedures to follow in the event of an emergency/accident.

Know the location of and how to use the cut-off switches and valves for the water, gas, and electricity in the laboratory.

Know the location of and how to use all safety and emergency equipment (i.e., safety shower, eyewash, first-aid kit, fire blanket, fire extinguishers and mercury spill kits).

Keep a list of emergency phone numbers near the phone.

Conduct appropriate safety and evacuation drills on a regular basis.

Explain in detail to students the consequences of violating safety rules and procedures.

Maintenance of Chemicals

• Perform regular inventory inspections of chemicals.
• Update the chemical inventory at least annually, or as requested by the administration. Provide a copy of the chemical inventory to the local emergency responders (i.e., fire department).
• Do not store food and drink with any chemicals.
• If possible, keep all chemicals in their original containers.
• Make sure all chemicals and reagents are labeled.
• Do not store chemicals on the lab bench, on the floor, or in the laboratory chemical hood.
• Ensure chemicals not in use are stored in a locked facility with limited access.
• Know the storage, handling, and disposal requirements for each chemical used.
• Make certain chemicals are disposed of properly. Consult the label and the Material Safety Data Sheet for disposal information and always follow appropriate chemical disposal regulations.

Preparing for Laboratory Activities

Before each activity in the laboratory, weigh the potential risk factors against the educational value.

Have an understanding of all the potential hazards of the materials, the process, and the equipment involved in every laboratory activity.

• Inspect all equipment/apparatus in the laboratory before use.
• Before entering the laboratory, instruct students on all laboratory procedures that will be conducted.
• Discuss all safety concerns and potential hazards related to the laboratory work that students will be performing before starting the work. Document in lesson plan book.

Ensuring Appropriate Laboratory Conduct

• Be a model for good safety conduct for students to follow.
• Make sure students are wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (i.e., chemical splash goggles, laboratory aprons or coats, and gloves).
• Enforce all safety rules and procedures at all times.
• Never leave students unsupervised in the laboratory.
• Never allow unauthorized visitors to enter the laboratory.
• Never allow students to take chemicals out of the laboratory.
• Never permit smoking, food, beverages, or gum in the laboratory.

This information is from the School Chemistry Laboratory Safety Guide created by the U.S. Consumer Safety Product Commission (CPSC), Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Inspections of chemistry lab is crucial than physics lab because of the presence of so many chemicals .these chemicals require lots of time to inspect .where as in physics lab limited apparatus is present which can easily inspect .