APPENDIX F: Laboratory Hazard Assessment Checklist

• I. Pre-Operational Planning
• II. Experimental Scale and Design
• III. Spill/Emergency Planning
• IV. Waste Disposal

I. Pre-Operational Planning (top)

[ ] Toxicity	Including possible routes of exposure (inhalation, skin absorption, etc.) and symptoms of overexposure (see Material Safety Data Sheet)
[ ] Flammability	Flash point, boiling point, vapor pressure, explosive limits
[ ] Warning Properties	Can odor or irritation adequately warn of over-exposure (odor threshold vs. permissible exposure limit)
[ ] Laboratory Equipment	Are machine guards or interlocks in place and functioning (e.g. vacuum pumps)
[ ] Storage Precautions	Are safety cans or isolated storage required (should they be stored or disposed of)
[ ] Incompatible Materials	Should certain materials be segregated (e.g., flammables and oxidizers)
[ ] Reagent Instability/Decomposition	Should materials be dated for disposal (e.g., ethers); should materials be kept refrigerated to prolong shelf life
[ ] Protective Clothing	Is the material of choice relatively impervious to the substances in use
[ ] Gloves	Is permeability a consideration
[ ] Eye Protection	Is the eye protection suitable for the type of work being done, including protection against splashes, etc.
[ ] Heat Sources/Power Requirements	Can open flames be avoided
[ ] Electrical Equipment	Is it grounded properly and insulated or are ground fault interrupters appropriate
[ ] Circuit Protection	Are there properly sized fuses or circuit breakers
[ ] Vacuum/Pressure Systems	Have connections been leak tested, hydrostatically tested, properly vented, and traps installed when necessary
[ ] Ventilation/Containment	Does the work need to be done in a fume hood or a glove box to provide the needed level of containment

II. Experimental Scale & Design (top)

[ ] Quantity	Are there ways to minimize the amount of materials used without affecting results (e.g. microscale)
[ ] Ambient Conditions	Are special conditions necessary to carry out the reaction (e.g., cold room or dry box)
[ ] Time Constraints	Can the experiment be safely run unattended or overnight; should Public Safety be notified

III. Spill/Emergency Planning (top)

[ ] Lab Personnel	Are others in the laboratory aware of what you are doing
[ ] Fire Extinguishers	Are special types required; are you aware of their location and proper use (e.g., Class D for metals)
[ ] Emergency Response	Do you have a response planned in the event of a spill; would evacuation be necessary
[ ] Spill Cleanup	Are materials on hand to absorb/neutralize; is the needed protective equipment (e.g., self-contained breathing apparatus) on hand and have you been trained on its use
[ ] Safety Shower/Eyewash	Are you aware of the locations and methods Fountain of operation

IV. Waste Disposal (top)

[ ] Labeling	Are containers clearly, indelibly and accurately (IUPAC name when possible) labeled and dated when opened
[ ] Segregation	Are incompatible wastes kept segregated
[ ] Containers	Are suitable containers with adequate closures available
[ ] Quantities	Are quantities on hand kept to a minimum
[ ] Recycling	Is it feasible to safely recover/recycle used solvents

Appendix E