Chemical Handling, Storage and Disposal Checklist

Personnel

1) How many lab staff have been trained in safe procedures when working
with hazardous

chemicals (documented)?

2) All employees aware of emergency procedures in case of an accident

involving hazardous

chemicals. Yes No N/A

3) All employees are aware of the Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL). Yes No
N/A

4) Employees aware of the chemical SDS. Yes No N/A

5) Employees follow safe handling instruction of hazardous chemicals. Yes No

N/A

6) Employees wear appropriate PPE when handling chemicals. Yes No N/A

7) Employees wash their hands before and after handling chemicals. Yes No
N/A

Handling and labelling chemical containers

1. All containers are clearly labelled as to contents. Yes No N/A

2. Chemical containers are labelled with the appropriate hazard warning (e.g.
poison, corrosive,

etc). Yes No N/A

3. Labels are readable and free of encrustation or contamination. Yes No N/A

4. Labels are firmly attached to containers. Yes No N/A

5. All container labels include both date of receipt and group name. Yes No
N/A

6. All chemical container lids are tightly sealed. Yes No N/A

7. All chemical containers free from dents and in good working condition. Yes
No N/A

8. Chemical substances held in their original container. Yes No N/A

Storage areas

1. Storage rooms/areas are properly marked or identified. Yes No N/A

2. Storage rooms are secured whenever not in use and are available only to
authorised personnel.

Yes No N/A

3. Storage areas are well illuminated. Yes No N/A

4. Storage areas are well ventilated. Yes No N/A

5. Aisles in the storage area are free from obstruction. Yes No N/A

6. Ladders with handrails are available where needed. Yes No N/A

7. There are minimum quantities of chemicals stored in the work area. Yes No
N/A

Storage shelves

1. Large bottles and containers are stored on shelves near the floor. Yes No
N/A

2. Containers of chemicals are stored below eye level. Yes No N/A

3. Where possible shelves have raised edges or rim guards to prevent the
accidental dislodging of containers. Yes No N/A

4. Reagent bottles or containers do not protrude over the shelf edges. Yes No
N/A

5. Enough space is available so that chemicals are not overcrowded. Yes No

N/A

6. Empty bottles are removed from shelves. Yes No N/A

7. Shelves are level and stable. Shelving units are securely fastened to wall
or floor. Yes No N/A

8. Shelves are clean-free of dust and chemical contamination. Yes No N/A

Storage containers

1. Storage containers are inspected periodically for rust, corrosion, or

leakage. Yes No N/A

2. Damaged containers are removed or repaired immediately. Yes No N/A

3. Chemicals are kept in airtight bottles, not in beakers or open vessels. Yes
No N/A

4. Stoppers form an airtight seal with containers. Yes No N/A

5. Stoppers are easily removed from bottles or containers. Yes No N/A

Chemical storage

1. There is an accurate inventory for the chemicals. Yes No N/A

2. Chemicals are not exposed to direct sunlight or localised heat. Yes No N/A

3. Containers of corrosive chemicals are stored in trays large enough to

contain spillage or leakage.

Yes No N/A

4. Chemicals are stored by, reactive class (e.g. flammables with flammables,
oxidizers with

oxidizers). Yes No N/A

5. Incompatible chemicals are physically segregated from each other during

storage. Yes No N/A

1. Acids

1. Large bottles of acids are stored in acid cabinets. Yes No N/A

2. Oxidizing acids are segregated from organic acids and flammable and
combustible materials. Yes

No N/A

3. Acids are separated from caustics and from active metals such as sodium,
magnesium, and potassium. Yes No N/A

4. Acids are segregated from chemicals that can generate toxic gases on
contact, such as sodium cyanide and iron sulfide. Yes No N/A

5. Bottle carriers are used for transporting acid bottles. Yes No N/A

6. Absorbents or acid neutralizers are available for acid spills. Yes No N/A

2. Caustics

1. Caustics are stored away from acids. Yes No N/A

2. Solutions of inorganic hydroxides are stored in polyethylene containers.
Yes No N/A

3. Absorbents or caustic neutralizers are available for spills. Yes No N/A

3. Flammables

1. Flammables are kept away from any source of ignition: flames, heat or
sparks. Yes No N/A

2. Where refrigerators are used for flammable liquid storage they are
internally ’spark-free’. Yes No N/A

3. Bonding and grounding wires are used where flammables are stored and
dispensed. Yes No N/A

4. Absorbents are available for leaks or spills. Yes No N/A

4.Peroxide-Forming Chemicals

1. Peroxide-forming chemicals are stored in airtight containers in a dark,

cool, and dry place. Yes No N/A

2. Peroxide-forming chemicals are properly disposed of before the date of

expected peroxide formation. Yes No N/A

3. Suspicion of peroxide contamination is immediately evaluated by use of

safe procedures. Yes No

N/A

4. Chemicals are labelled with date received, date opened, and disposal
date. Yes No N/A

5. Water-Reactive Chemicals

1. Chemicals are kept in a cool and dry place. Yes No N/A

2. In case of fire, a Class D fire extinguisher is used. Yes No N/A

6. Oxidizers

Oxidizers are stored away from flammable, combustible, and reducing agents
(e.g. zinc, alkaline metals).

Yes No N/A

7. Toxic Compounds
Toxic compounds are stored according to the nature of the chemical, with
appropriate security employed where necessary. Yes No N/A

Disposal

1) Waste chemicals are labeled as waste and stored in a suitable location

until final disposal.

Yes No N/A

2) Bins are clearly marked with their waste stream. Yes No N/A

3) Containers are tightly closed. Yes No N/A

4) Standard operating procedures are established and are they being

followed when cleaning up

chemical spills. Yes No N/A

5) There is a dedicated sink for acceptable liquid waste. Yes No N/A

6) The sink is clearly marked up. Yes No N/A

7) Are “Hazardous Waste” signs in place and clearly visible. Yes No N/A

8) Waste chemicals are disposed of appropriately. Yes No N/A

9) How are they disposed of?

10) All waste containers stored in waste storage area. Yes No N/A

11) Records are kept of the chemicals disposed of. Yes No N/A

Working area and housekeeping

1. Cleanliness and order are maintained in the storage areas at all times. Yes
No N/A

2. Unlabeled, contaminated, or undesirable chemicals are discarded properly.

Yes No N/A

3. Chemicals in storage cabinets and on shelves are inspected for

decomposition on a regular basis.

Yes No N/A

4. Unused chemicals are never returned to stock bottles. Yes No N/A

5. Packing materials and empty cartons are removed at once from the area.
Yes No N/A
6. Waste receptacles are properly marked and easily located. Yes No N/A

7. Separate disposal containers are available for broken glass. Yes No N/A

8. There is a fumehood, an exhaust fan or open window for adequate

ventilation, when using hazardous chemicals. Yes No N/A

9. Exit doors are unobstructed. Yes No N/A

Emergency preparedness

1. Equipment and supplies for cleaning up spills are readily available. Yes No
N/A

2. Fire extinguishers are immediately accessible. Yes No N/A

3. Fire extinguishers are periodically inspected and maintained. Yes No N/A

4. Eye-wash fountains and safety showers are provided in areas where

corrosive chemicals are handled. Yes No N/A

5. Chemical spill kits are available with instructions on how to use them. Yes
No N/A

6. Respirators are stored in a convenient, clean and sanitary location, and

are they adequate for emergencies. Yes No N/