Lab Safety Checklist: Inspection Items and the Facility Fixes Behind Them
A practical laboratory safety checklist for monthly walk-throughs and annual audits — PPE, chemical and flammable storage, fume hoods, eyewash and showers, fire, electrical, egress and training — plus the storage, containment and layout changes that close the findings for good.
14
Checklist categories
10 sec
Eyewash reach target (ANSI Z358.1)
Weekly
Plumbed eyewash activation
Annual
Typical fume hood certification
Shop Lab Safety Storage and Emergency Supplies
Flammable cabinets, spill containment and first aid supplies we sell online. Larger cabinet runs, plumbed eyewash and safety showers, and lab layouts are quoted by our team; some common sizes are in stock at select manufacturers, subject to confirmation.
How to Use This Lab Safety Checklist
Most lab safety checklists are written for the people who work at the bench: wear your goggles, label your bottles, keep the aisle clear. Those items matter, and every one of them is below. But when the same finding shows up on three inspections in a row, the cause is usually the room, not the people — no cabinet for the solvents, no clear floor in front of the eyewash, no place to put cylinders except leaning against the bench.
This checklist is organized so that each section ends with the facility fix: the storage, containment, ventilation or layout change that removes the hazard instead of reminding people about it. Walk the lab with it monthly, use the full list for an annual audit, and run it again whenever you add a process, a chemical class or a piece of equipment.
Adapt it to your lab
This is a general facility checklist, not a substitute for your Chemical Hygiene Plan under the OSHA Laboratory Standard (29 CFR 1910.1450), your biosafety manual or your institution’s EHS program. Your fire marshal, EHS officer and authority having jurisdiction decide what is required for your occupancy and processes.
The Laboratory Safety Checklist
Tick each item during the walk-through. Anything left unticked becomes an action item with an owner and a date. The first nine sections apply to nearly every lab; the later sections apply when the hazard is present.
1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Lab coats are available in the right sizes and worn whenever work is underway; flame-resistant coats where pyrophorics or large solvent volumes are handled.
- Safety glasses or splash goggles are used for eye protection; face shields are available for splash-prone tasks.
- Gloves (nitrile, latex, neoprene or other materials) matched to the chemicals in use are accessible, and a glove compatibility chart is posted.
- Closed-toe shoes and long pants are worn in the lab.
- PPE is stored at the lab entry, not on benches or inside fume hoods; contaminated coats are not taken home.
2. Chemical Safety and Labeling
- All chemicals are clearly labeled with the full name and hazard, including secondary containers and squeeze bottles.
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS, formerly MSDS) for every chemical are accessible to everyone in the lab, on paper or electronically.
- A current chemical inventory exists and matches what is on the shelves.
- Incompatible chemicals (acids and bases, oxidizers and flammables, water-reactives) are segregated, not stored alphabetically.
- Chemicals are not stored on the floor, on top of cabinets, or above eye level; large bottles sit on the lowest shelves.
- Shelving that holds chemicals has lips or edge guards, and is anchored or seismically restrained where required.
- Spill kits are available, stocked for the chemical classes in use, and easy to reach.
Why storage is the most common finding
Chemical storage findings repeat because labs grow faster than their cabinets. A lab that started with one flammable cabinet adds a second process, the overflow goes onto an open shelf, and the bottles end up grouped by convenience rather than compatibility. The fix is capacity: enough dedicated, separated storage for each hazard class, sized for the inventory the lab really carries.
Our safe chemical storage guide covers segregation in more depth, and chemical storage cabinets explains the cabinet types.
3. Flammable and Corrosive Storage
- Flammable liquids outside of approved safety cans or cabinets are limited to what is needed for the day’s work.
- Flammable cabinets are closed and latched, not propped open, and the doors self-close where the cabinet is designed to.
- Cabinet quantities stay within the cabinet’s labeled capacity and your fire code limits (NFPA 30 and NFPA 45 set the framework; your fire marshal confirms the numbers).
- Cabinet vents are either sealed with the factory bungs or properly ducted — never left open to the room.
- Corrosives are stored in corrosion-resistant cabinets or trays, below eye level.
- Flammables are refrigerated only in refrigerators or freezers rated for flammable-material storage, never in a household or standard unit.
4. Compressed Gas Cylinders
- Every cylinder is secured upright with chains, straps or a bench/wall bracket, including empties.
- Valve caps are on cylinders that are not in use.
- Cylinders are labeled with contents and status (full, in use, empty).
- Flammable gases and oxidizers are separated as your fire code requires.
- Regulators and tubing are compatible with the gas and in good condition.
- Cylinders are moved only on a cylinder cart, never rolled or dragged.
5. Fume Hoods and Ventilation
- Fume hoods are operational, with a current certification label (most programs test annually under ANSI/AIHA Z9.5 and ASHRAE 110 guidance).
- Airflow monitors or alarms work, and users know what the alarm means.
- Sashes are kept at or below the marked working height and closed when the hood is not in use.
- Hoods are not used as storage; equipment sits at least six inches behind the sash plane and does not block the baffles.
- Cross-drafts from doors, supply diffusers or walkways near the hood face are minimized.
- Air quality is monitored where chemical exposure is possible, and local exhaust (snorkels, canopy hoods) captures point sources.
When the hood is the problem, not the user
A hood that fails its face-velocity test, or one placed beside a door or a busy aisle, cannot be fixed with training. Hood placement, the exhaust system and make-up air are design decisions. Ductless hoods need a filter-change program; ducted hoods depend on the building exhaust fan, which is usually outside the hood supplier’s scope.
See our laboratory fume hoods overview and the walk-in fume hood guide for tall apparatus and drum work.
6. Emergency Eyewash Stations and Safety Showers
- Eyewash stations and safety showers are present wherever corrosive or injurious materials are used (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.151(c)).
- Each unit can be reached within about 10 seconds, on the same level, with no doors or obstacles in the path (ANSI/ISEA Z358.1).
- The floor area in front of the unit is clear and marked; nothing is stored beneath or in front of it.
- Plumbed units are activated weekly and the activation is logged; all units are inspected annually.
- Self-contained eyewash units have fluid within its expiration date.
- Highly visible signage identifies each unit.
The 10-second rule is a layout rule
Whether an eyewash can be reached in time is decided by where it sits on the floor plan. When a lab is rearranged, a new bench run or a storage rack can quietly lengthen the path or put a door in the way. Check the route from every hazardous workstation each time the layout changes, and keep the floor in front of the unit marked and open.
Labs USA, our laboratory division, has a deeper guide to lab safety showers and eyewash stations.
7. Fire Safety
- Fire extinguishers of the right type are in place, mounted, visible and inspected monthly.
- Smoke detectors, fire alarms and sprinkler heads are functional and unobstructed.
- Storage stays at least 18 inches below sprinkler deflectors (NFPA 13), including on top of tall shelving.
- Lab personnel know the location of fire exits, pull stations and evacuation routes.
- Ignition sources are controlled near flammables; open flames are attended.
8. Electrical Safety
- Electrical cords are intact and not frayed, pinched or run under doors and rugs.
- Outlets and power strips are not overloaded or daisy-chained; extension cords are not used as permanent wiring.
- Electrical panels are easily accessible with the required clear working space in front of them.
- GFCI protection is present near sinks and wet processes.
- Equipment in classified hazardous locations, including lighting, is rated for that location.
9. General Lab Environment, Housekeeping and Egress
- Work areas are clean and free of clutter.
- Aisles and exits are clear of obstructions; carts, boxes and equipment are not parked in egress paths.
- Food and drinks are not allowed in the lab area, and lab refrigerators are labeled “No Food.”
- Proper signage is displayed where needed (biohazard, radiation, laser, chemical hazards) and the door sign lists hazards and emergency contacts.
- Heavy items are stored low; step stools are available so no one climbs shelving.
- Glassware and sharps have dedicated, labeled storage and disposal containers.
Clutter is a storage capacity problem
Blocked aisles and overloaded benches are the most common housekeeping findings, and they almost always mean the lab has less storage than it needs. Mobile carts, wall shelving and high-density storage move supplies off benches and out of the walkway without adding floor area.
Our laboratory furniture page covers benches, casework and bench-level storage, and the lab layout configurator helps sketch clear aisles before anything is ordered.
10. Biological Safety (labs working with biological materials)
- Biological waste is disposed of properly, in labeled, closed containers.
- Biosafety cabinets are certified (typically annually) and not cluttered or blocking the front grille.
- Autoclaves and sterilization equipment are functioning properly and validated.
- Lab personnel are trained in handling biological materials at the lab’s biosafety level.
- Hand-washing sinks are available near the exit.
11. Cold Storage, Equipment and Tools
- All equipment is in good working condition, with guards in place and service dates current.
- Emergency shut-offs for equipment, gas and utilities are known and easily accessible.
- Tools are used only for their intended purpose.
- Refrigerators and freezers holding samples are temperature-monitored and alarmed; flammables are only in rated units.
- Centrifuge rotors are inspected and balanced; vacuum glassware is shielded or taped.
12. Hazardous Waste
- Chemical waste is disposed of according to regulations and the institution’s waste program.
- Waste containers are closed, labeled with contents and the accumulation start date, and kept in secondary containment.
- Satellite accumulation areas are at or near the point of generation and do not exceed allowed volumes.
- Incompatible wastes are never combined.
Containment for waste and bulk liquids
Waste containers and bulk liquids are where spills turn into incidents. Spill trays under carboys, spill pallets under drums, and a defined accumulation area keep a leak contained and make inspections faster. For larger volumes, ventilated waste cabinets keep vapors out of the room.
13. Security and Access Control
- Lab doors are closed and locked when unattended.
- Controlled substances, select agents and high-value items are in locked storage with access logs.
- Visitors are escorted and wear appropriate PPE.
14. Training, Documentation and Emergency Procedures
- All lab personnel have completed safety training, and training records are up to date.
- The Chemical Hygiene Plan is current, accessible and reviewed annually.
- An evacuation plan is posted and known by all lab personnel.
- Emergency contact numbers are posted and easily visible.
- First aid kits are stocked and easily accessible.
- Incident and accident reports, including near misses, are documented and reviewed for safety improvements.
Additional Items (specific to your lab’s operations)
- Radiation sources or lasers: postings, interlocks, dosimetry and authorized-user lists are current.
- Cryogens: oxygen monitoring where liquid nitrogen is dispensed in small rooms; cryogenic gloves and face shields available.
- Ergonomics: bench heights, seating and pipetting stations are adjusted to the people using them — see ergonomics in lab design.
- Other hazards specific to your processes: add them here with an owner and a frequency.
This checklist is a general guide and should be adapted to fit the specific safety requirements of your laboratory. Regular review and adherence to this checklist can help maintain a safe and compliant lab environment.
How Often to Check Each Item
A checklist is only useful when it is run on a schedule. The intervals below are common starting points; your EHS program, manufacturer instructions and local code take precedence.
| Frequency | What to check | Who usually does it |
|---|---|---|
| Daily / each use | Fume hood airflow indicator, sash height, PPE use, aisles clear, waste containers closed | Lab users |
| Weekly | Activate plumbed eyewash and showers and log it; check spill kits and first aid supplies | Lab manager or designee |
| Monthly | Full walk-through with this checklist; fire extinguisher visual check; chemical storage and labeling | Lab manager / safety officer |
| Semiannual | Chemical inventory reconciliation; expired chemicals removed; shelving and anchor condition | Lab manager |
| Annual | Fume hood and biosafety cabinet certification; eyewash/shower inspection; Chemical Hygiene Plan review; training refresh | EHS and certified contractors |
| On change | Re-run the full checklist after a new process, chemical class, equipment purchase or layout change | Lab manager with EHS |
Common Lab Safety Findings and the Facility Fix for Each
These are the findings that tend to repeat from one inspection to the next. Each one has a physical fix that stops it coming back.
| Recurring finding | Why it keeps happening | Facility fix |
|---|---|---|
| Solvent bottles on open shelves or benches | Not enough flammable cabinet capacity | Add listed flammable cabinets sized to the real inventory |
| Acids stored with bases or on metal shelving | One cabinet for everything | Separate corrosive cabinets or lined storage by hazard class |
| Cylinders unsecured or leaning on benches | No brackets at the point of use | Wall/bench brackets and a cylinder cabinet or cage for reserves |
| Fume hood full of bottles and equipment | No other ventilated storage | Ventilated cabinet storage and bench space outside the hood |
| Eyewash blocked or too far away | Layout changed after install | Re-plan the eyewash route with the casework layout; mark the floor |
| Boxes and carts in the aisle | Storage capacity below supply volume | Mobile carts, wall shelving or high-density storage |
| Extension cords running equipment | No bench-level power | Casework with integrated power and data |
| Storage within 18 in. of sprinklers | Tall shelving filled to the top | Lower top shelves or cap storage height |
How MH-USA Helps Close Lab Safety Findings
MH-USA designs, supplies and installs the storage, casework and safety equipment behind most facility-type findings, for labs inside manufacturing plants, hospitals, universities, utilities and research buildings. For dedicated laboratory furniture and lab equipment our laboratory division, Labs USA, works on the same projects. Starting from an empty room? Begin with setting up a laboratory.
Walk-through
Share your latest inspection report or walk the lab with us; we sort findings into behavior items and facility items.
Layout
We map storage, hoods, eyewash routes and aisles on a floor plan so fixes do not create new problems.
Specify
We select cabinets, containment, shelving, casework and ventilation to match your hazards and code requirements.
Install
We deliver, install and anchor the equipment, and hand over documentation for your next inspection.
Have an inspection report with repeat findings?
Send it to us. We’ll turn the facility items into a layout and a quote, and point out which ones can be solved with products we sell online.
Related Laboratory Planning Guides
Comprehensive Laboratory DesignPlan the whole lab — casework, hoods, utilities and safety equipment — with one design team.
Laboratory Equipment ChecklistWhat to plan and buy for a new lab or expansion, with the space and utility needs of each item.
Safe Chemical StorageHow to segregate, contain and store laboratory chemicals by hazard class.For staff training, Labs USA publishes a practical lab safety training playbook.
Lab Safety Checklist FAQs
What should be on a lab safety checklist?
How often should a laboratory safety inspection be done?
How often do eyewash stations need to be tested?
How far can an eyewash station be from a hazard?
Can flammable liquids be stored in a regular lab refrigerator?
Does MH-USA install lab safety storage and equipment?
Turn Your Lab Safety Checklist Into Fixes That Stick
Tell us what your last inspection found. We’ll design the storage, containment and layout changes and install them.