• No Food or Drink in work area

• Workers and students completed appropriate Safety Training course(s)

• Unattended Experiments identified and controlled

• Workers are conversant in specific Operational Safety Procedures (OSP) or Guidelines for hazardous equipment and operations

• Procedures observed for hazardous Waste Disposal on campus

• Hazardous Laboratory secured against unauthorized entry

• Accurate hazard warning Placard posted at entrances

• Warning Signs and Labels (Radioactive, Carcinogens, Flammable, Laser, etc.) at designated work areas,  refrigerator , freezer and other storage areas

• Lab-specific SDS collection available and be familiar 

• HKUST Safety Manual available

• Know Emergency Procedures and familiar with escape route

Good storage and handling practices

• Current chemical inventory available
• No excessive chemical stock.  Return to CLS
• No expired chemicals. Disposed of out-dated chemicals
• Chemical containers properly labeled, in good condition and closed properly
• Only compatible chemicals are stored together
• Secondary containment for stored chemicals as necessary. Polyethylene trays for separate storage of acids and bases
• Chemicals stored at safe levels, in cabinets or on stable shelving (but not on high levels)
• Synthesized chemicals labeled by reactants, possible products and probable hazards
• Work capable of causing an explosion behind protective barriers, vacuum vessels taped, etc.
• Buddy system established for solo operation of hazardous work.
• Special arrangement made for unattended hazardous work conducted outside normal hours or overnight

Flammable chemicals

• Stored in flammable cabinet and/or explosion-proof or flammable storage refrigerator
• Stored away from sources of heat and ignition
• Not stored along path of egress or in aisle space

Peroxide formers

• Dated upon receipt and opening, and not stored beyond expiration. 
• Test for peroxides regularly

Highly toxic chemicals, carcinogens, alkaline metals and hydrides, etc.:

• Identified, properly stored and secured or locked
• Used in designated work area, fume hood or glove box
• Perchloric acid quantities maintained at minimal levels, used only in perchloric acid hood
• Water & air reactive compounds are properly stored (i.e. immersed in appropriate solutions, desiccants, etc.)

General tidiness

• Facility, ceiling, furniture, work areas, sinks, solvent cabinets and equipment are generally clean and in good structural condition

Storage

• Items not in use are stored away
• Overhead storage is minimized and restrained from falling

Work area

• Door viewing panel not covered or blocked
• Work area separated from study or social areas
• Exits not blocked
• Aisles and public areas not cluttered, path of egress maintained free of obstructions
• Floor clean and non-slippery, clear of clutter and chemicals. No trip hazard
• Suitable warning signs and tags utilized

Personal Practices

• Lab coats and safety glasses/ goggles worn by all where necessary
• Proper gloves are used as needed
• Other personal protective equipment used properly as needed
• No inappropriate clothing and shoes (shorts, sandals, slippers, etc.)
• Gloves removed before handling telephone, door handle or leaving laboratory
• No mouth pipetting

Gas cylinders and Gas tubing

• Maintained in an upright position and secured to structural component of the building
• Fitted with appropriate flow regulators (type and rating)
• Labels attached and show correct use status
• Cylinders in good condition and hydraulic tested within 5 years. Return old and un-use cylinders to CLS
• Gas tubing of suitable pressure rating, labeled with gas type and secured properly
• Flash back arrestor installed in supply line of flammable gas
• Copper tubing NOT used for acetylene cylinder
• Beware of the asphyxiation hazard of using liquid nitrogen

Toxic and Hazardous Gas Cylinder

• Stored in protected and vented cabinets away from heat and combustible materials
• Extremely toxic gas stored in approved toxic gas cabinet equipped with exhaust and alarm system and emergency shut off valve
• Use lecture bottle size cylinder whenever possible
• Close the cylinder valve and bled the gas when not in use
• Protective caps in place when not in use for toxic or corrosive gas cylinders

General Requirement

• The total volume of wastes stored is less than 300 L.
• A standard chemical waste container is used.
• The labels on the container are clear, intact and adhere firmly to the container.
• The waste container is in good condition and the caps are kept tightly closed.
• The Chemical Waste Log Sheet is filled out properly.
• The chemical waste containers do not obstruct the fire exit route.
• The storage area is dry and clean.
• The booklet "Procedures for Disposal of Chemical Waste" is available.

For chemical wastes stored at a workplace with volume < 50 L:

• The location for waste storage or the spill tray bears a standard Chemical Waste Warning Label which is displayed prominently.
• The standard liquid chemical waste container is put inside a spill tray or a spill retention structure is available.
• The spill tray or cabinet is free of other substances except the waste container(s).
• Incompatible wastes are prevented from mixing in case of spill.

For chemical wastes stored at a workplace with volume > 50 L but < 300 L:

• The waste containers are enclosed by a at least a 3-sided structure.
• The storage structure is only for the storage of chemical wastes.
• A standard chemical waste warning sign is displayed prominently at the storage structure.
• The storage structure of liquid chemical wastes(d) has a retention capacity for 20% of the total wastes stored or the volume of the biggest container, whichever is the greater.
• The enclosed storage structure has vent holes or ventilation facility.
• Incompatible chemical wastes are separated by barriers to prevent mixing, in case of spill.
• The storage structure has no connection to the sewer or a surface water drain.

Remedial action is necessary if the answer to any one item is "NO".

(a)   Storage of more than 300 L must obtain prior approval by HSEO. 

(b)   For small volume waste generators, the container for temporary storage of chemical waste should be labeled with waste type and content. The locations of the standard chemical waste containers that the chemical waste will be finally disposed of should be marked on the bottle.  HSEO designed a standard label for such non-standard container, and a copy is available through each Departmental Safety Officer.

(c)   A Chemical waste log sheet is not necessary for some waste types. They are "Spent Film Fixer & Developer", "Spent Lube Oil", "Spent Organic Gel, Lab", "Spent Metal Sludge", "Spent Phenol Sludge" and "Rags with Solvents/Oils". A Chemical waste log sheet is not attached to these containers upon delivery by HSEO.    Photocopy of the chemical waste log sheet can be made from the booklet "procedures for Disposal of Chemical Waste" appendix E and "The HKUST Safety and Environmental Protection Manual" appendix 16E.

(d)   A spill tray or retention structure is not necessary for solid wastes.

Fume Hood

• All work generating toxic/hazardous vapor, fume, or aerosol performed in hood 
• Local exhaust units used when hoods are not suitable
• "Do Not Use" sign for hood not in working function
• (Green) pilot air flow indicator lamp proper functioning
• Certification current (check sticker on front panel)
• Front sash at appropriate level when hood is in use/ not in use
• Fume generating apparatus at least 20 cm from face of hood
• Low-velocity warning alarm functions properly
• Storage within the hood minimized and containers kept sealed

Biological Safety Cabinet

• Certification current (check sticker on front or side)

Ventilation

• Negative pressure in laboratory not disturbed by constantly opened door or ceiling tile

Posting, Labelling and Security

      All access to area(s) are properly posted with:

• Radiation sign and RUA
• No unauthorized entry
• TLD badge must be worn
• All equipment and work areas are properly labeled
• Radioactive materials properly stored and secured

Personnel and Dosimetry

• all radiation workers registered with HSEO
• TLDs worn by radiation workers
• Good housekeeping.  Never do this in your lab.

Radiation Field Management

• Sufficient shielding available and use
• Calibrated survey meters available and use
• Radioactive material properly stored
• Periodic facility contamination evaluation performed and documented

Contamination Control

• Personal protective equipment are used (lab gowns and gloves)
• Secondary containment of liquid being employed

Radioactive Waste Management

• All wastes are stored according to their physical forms
• All wastes are stored according to radionuclides
• All stored wastes are properly shielded
• Radioactive waste log sheet filled out properly
• Waste packed and tied properly and not too much
• Liquid waste not filled too much

Records and Documentation

• Inventory update and complete for all radionuclides
• Self survey records available

Others

• Fill out Equipment Hazard Manifest for potentially radiation contaminated equipment before sending out to DMSF for service

Electrical Circuit

• All electrical circuits are three-wire with earthing
• No circuits overloaded with extension cords or multiple connections
• Proper wiring and plugs and no- frayed wires
• Electrical control panels/ switches not obstructed
• Large metal surfaces (work bench, racks, etc.) on which electric equipment is used or stored is grounded

Equipment

• Apparatus equipped with earthing or double insulated
• High voltage equipment (>600 V) with additional electrical hazard label
• Heating apparatus equipped with redundant temperature controls
• No exposed electrical parts
• No damaged enclosure or casing
• Equipment NOT close to water source

Extension cords and multiple connections

• Extension cords not used as permanent wiring
• Approved extension cords, extension cords with circuit breakers, and multiple connectors used properly

Exit Route and General Preparedness

• Fire Escape Route updated and posted
• Workers familiar with escape route and participate in fire drill
• Exit signs readily visible/ illuminated
• Fire exit routes clear of obstruction
• Fire or smoke doors not held or propped open
• Fire and smoke doors effective and in good order with self-closing devices working properly

Fire fighting equipment and installation

• 450 mm clearance maintained from sprinkler heads
• Fire alarm breakglass and hose reels unobstructed
• Fire alarm and PA system audible
• Fire hoses in designated place, properly folded and with nozzle attached.  Instruction in place
• Fire extinguishers, fire blankets and sand buckets available and easily accessible (on path of egress and unobstructed)
• Fire extinguisher and hose reel inspected and maintained within one year (see label)
• Type D fire extinguisher (blue color on campus) available if potential of metal fire exists

Pressure Safety

• Current pressure equipment inventory in your department available
• Warning sign of high pressure equipment posted
• Pressure equipment certified* or exempted (the Boilers and Pressure Vessels Ordinance).  Current certificate posted
• Pressure equipment's body, pressure relief device, and the associated pipe lines free from obvious signs of rust, defect, wear and tear, etc.
• Workers are conversant in specific Operational Safety Procedures (OSP) or manufacturer's instructions for operating the pressure equipment

         *Contact MDMF-IMR about the certification

Communication and General Preparedness

• Emergency 8999 number sticker on telephone set
• Emergency notification procedures, contacts, and phone numbers are posted
• Emergency procedures and Updated Fire Escape Route posted
• Emergency ventilation switch (in laboratory) unobstructed and function properly
• Exit signs readily visible/ illuminated
• Hazardous materials not stored along exit route and exit route free from obstruction
• Two well-separated exits, doors swing outward for chemistry laboratories or other high hazardous laboratories

Training  

• All personnel familiar with documented emergency evacuation plan.
• Fire extinguisher familiarization and use provided
• First aid trained individuals available for medical emergencies
• Lab personnel training is up-to-date?
• Departmental safety induction training held for new employees
• Specific training provided for specified process

Chemical spill

• Chemical spill kit, cleanup procedures available and training provided if considered necessary by departmental plan
• Safety showers and eyewashes (inspected monthly) easily accessible/ unobstructed

First Aid

• First aid box easily accessible and adequately stocked
• First-aider name posted on first aid box
• First aid box contain a copy of first aid instructions
• Medication items not stored in first aid box
• Antidotes available if hydrofluoric acid is used