#1 Science Forum For Lab Technicians

It is my turn to have a Physical Audit next month in the chemical area of the school. Fun times for the start of the year.
Any good hints of things to make sure we have organized.
I'm not to concerned regarding this as my stock take was done late last year. The only thing I really need to update is the MSDS - make sure they are all current.

A few things off the top of my head:

Correct storage/segregation. If you have dangerous goods cabinets, ensure only dangerous goods of the correct class are stored in that cabinet. The one I've seen trip up other areas in the school is Class 2 Flammable Gas (e.g. aerosol cans) getting chucked in the Class 3 Flammable Liquids cabinet.

If you don't have dedicated cabinets, ensure each class is segregated from each other on the shelves (in its own compartment, not directly below another DG class). Also ensure correct segregation within DG classes (acids and bases separated mainly).

Compliant labelling - ensure every container has correct GHS compliant labels and diamonds. Also ensure they're legible - ink hasn't rubbed off, spills haven't made them hard to read.

Check your containers (reagent jars and bottles, droppers etc.) for condition. Especially true for the lids/dropper teats. Replace any teats where it looks like the rubber is starting to go. For lids, check that they're in reasonable nick. It's usually the strong acids and iodine solutions where the lids can deteriorate. Also watch for any dried chemical residue - that one's more an issue for bases like NaOH if it dribbles when you pour and you forget to wipe it off.

Make sure the shelves are clean with no traces of chemical spills (unless it's ancient and obviously not the result of a current issue).

Make sure concentrated and high molarity solutions have bunding around their bottles.

A small point . MSDS were changed to SDS in June 2015

The change from Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to Safety Data Sheets (SDS) was mandated by OSHA, with the transition officially taking place by June 1, 2015. This change was part of the adoption of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).

Little things like that shows them that you are up with the latest WH&S compliance . So label the ring binders as SDS not MSDS

I really wouldn’t sweat it though . The fact that you care enough to ask says you probably run a tight ship . You’ll be fine .

But if you get an arse inspector , they’d be an arse to the best lab as well .

Working in an Anglican school , we have compliance checks we have to complete pretty much every term . They include SDS expiry . Hazardous Chem Register . Out of date Chemicals and disposal . Searching for unlabelled or poorly labeled containers . Suitable PPE . IE , do we have enough lab coats , safety glasses , gloves , masks etc .
Do the eyewash and showers operate ?

Do you have obvious bottles for heavy metal waste ? This shows you are collecting it and disposing of it correctly .

An organic waste bottle would be good too . You probably don’t need more , but more would be better . Labeled of coarse ……. And if it looks like a professional label , thats probably going to be more than enough . Risk assess labels or anything from Chemwatch will get you ticked off .