#  Lab Assessments and Inspections 

 



## Summary

How to conduct safety assessments and inspections that evaluate lab equipment and activities.

## Who is this for?

Labs and research.



 

 

##  Lab safety assessments and inspections at Harvard 

Lab assessments and inspections include checklist-based general observations and more targeted reviews of particularly hazardous processes identified by EHS and school, department, and lab representatives.

EHS conducts annual or biennial research lab safety assessments and inspections that supplement routine inspections conducted by lab staff.



 

##  Inspection schedule 

Conduct these lab safety inspections and certifications according to the inspection schedule.

Contact EHS about other types of inspections.

SortRequired frequency for common lab safety inspections and certifications.Inspection TypeInspection FrequencyEHS biosafety inspection (labs registered with the Committee on Microbiological Safety (COMS))

Annually (may coincide with EHS inspection)

EHS general lab inspection

Annually

Emergency shower inspection

Twice a year

Eyewash station inspection

Weekly

Fume hood or biosafety cabinet certification

Annually

Lab personal protective equipment (PPE) assessment

Annually or when lab work changes

Laser equipment certification

Every two years

Peer inspection

Annually (if applicable)







 

##  Lab hazard assessments 

Lab hazard assessments are based on regulatory requirements and best risk assessment management practices.

[Contact your Lab Safety Advisor (LSA)](/resource/ehs-safety-officers "EHS Safety Officers") to request an assessment of new equipment or new or modified lab processes that may use:

- Biological hazards.
- Hazardous materials.
- High voltage equipment.
- Lasers.
- Nanomaterials.



 

##  Related resources 

Find documents and online tools to manage lab assessments and inspections.

 

 



  [### Assessment and Inspection Management System

 ](/resource/assessment-and-inspection-management-system)Manage lab safety inspections, personal protective equipment (PPE) assessments, and radiation-related materials and activities



 

 

   [### Electron Microscope Safety Form

 ](/resource/electron-microscope-safety-form)Form to safely use an electron microscope



 

 

   [### Emergency Eyewash Station, Facewash Station, and Safety Shower Inspection Schedule

 ](/resource/emergency-eyewash-station-facewash-station-and-safety-shower-inspection-schedule)When to inspect emergency eyewash stations, facewash stations, and safety showers



 

 

   [### Eyewash and Facewash Station Annual Inspection Form

 ](/resource/eyewash-and-facewash-station-annual-inspection-form)Form to conduct an annual eyewash or facewash station inspection



 

 

   [### Nanomaterials

 ](/resource/nanomaterials)Work with nanomaterials and nanoparticles



 

 

   [### New and Renovated Lab Survey Form

 ](/resource/new-and-renovated-lab-survey-form)Form to submit safety information about proposed lab construction and renovations



 

 

   [### Personal Protective Equipment Hazard Assessment Form

 ](/resource/personal-protective-equipment-hazard-assessment-form)Form to conduct a personal protective equipment (PPE) hazard assessment



 

 

   [### Radiation Personal Survey Form

 ](/resource/radiation-personal-survey-form)Form to survey for personal radiation contamination



 

 

   [### Safety Shower Semi-Annual Inspection and Equipment Form

 ](/resource/safety-shower-semi-annual-inspection-and-equipment-form)Form to conduct a semi-annual safety shower inspection



 

 

   [### Satellite Accumulation Area Inspections

 ](/resource/satellite-accumulation-area-inspections)Weekly hazardous waste storage satellite accumulation area (SAA) inspections



 

 

   [### X-Ray Cabinet Safety Form

 ](/resource/x-ray-cabinet-safety-form)Form to work safely with an X-ray cabinet



 

 

   [### X-Ray Diffraction and Fluorescence Unit Safety Form

 ](/resource/x-ray-diffraction-and-fluorescence-unit-safety-form)Form to work safely with an X-ray diffraction or fluorescence unit



 

 

  

 

 

 

 

##  EHS support 

Contact [lab\_safety@harvard.edu](mailto:lab_safety@harvard.edu) or your [LSA](/resource/ehs-safety-officers "EHS Safety Officers") for more information about lab inspections and assessments, including:

- Fire department inspections.
- Regulatory inspections.



 

 

 See also:- [ Labs and Research ](/audience/labs-and-research)
- [ Lab Assessments and Inspections ](/topic-areas/lab-assessments-and-inspections)