Checklist Facilities and Safety

Is there a written procedure on how to act in case of a suspected laboratory associated infection/laboratory accident whereby a staff-member has potentially become infected?

Can the access control system, protecting the laboratory from unauthorized access, be overridden in case of an emergency such as fire?

In laboratories where the presence of first aid providers is necessary: have enough staff members been appointed as first aid provider such that continuous presence of at least one first aid provider is ensured?

Does the Biosafety Manual contain an explanation of the tasks and responsibilities of first aid providers?

Have the Personal Job Descrptions of the first aid providers been adapted to reflect the authorizations of their position as first aid provider?

Are primary sample collection facilities separated from the laboratory rooms?

Are laboratory rooms where incompatible procedures are being undertaken separated from each other?

Are the rooms designed and furnished in a logical way enabling a unidirectional workflow and preventing unnecessary movements of people through the rooms?

Is there a dedicated area for breaks/lunches?

Is the pressure of the biosafety level III regularly monitored and recorded?

Is the negative pressure system included in the preventive maintenance program of the laboratory?

Has a Facilities & Safety Assessment been performed?

Are the action points in this action plan from the Facility & Safety Assessment formulated according to the SMART method?

Have completed action points from the Facility & Safety Assessment been signed and dated for completion?

Are emergency numbers available near telephones and clearly visible?

Is a primary sample collection facility available and physically separate from the laboratory activities?

Does the patient sample collection facility allow for the protection of privacy of patients?

Is the waiting area and primary sample collection facility accessible for physically handicapped patients?

Does the laboratory demonstrably adhere to procedures for processing and disposal of different types of waste produced?

Does lab staff adhere to guidelines on safe disposal of waste?

Is potentially infectious material properly incinerated?

Is the area around the fire pit/incinerator free from clutter?

Are separate, clearly distinguishable containers present for different types of chemical waste?

Are trashcans for (bio)hazardous waste clearly distinguishable to prevent confusion with the bins for normal waste?

Is continuing delivery of electricity guaranteed through a working generator and/or Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) system in case of a power failure?

Are samples stored under appropriate conditions, protected from unauthorized access and demonstrably easily retrievable?

Is equipment stored under appropriate conditions protected from unauthorized use?

Are documents and records stored under appropriate conditions, protected from fire, insects, humidity and other harmful elements?

Are documents and records stored in a logical manner so that they are demonstrably easily retrievable?

Does the biological safety manual have a logical structure with table of contents, an introduction and a title page clearly stating the words “Biosafety Manual”?

Does the Biosafety Manual contain preventive safety procedures?

Are the Biosafety Manual chapters signed by the author, reviewer and Laboratory Management?

Is the Biosafety Manual read and signed by all staff members?

Does the retention schedule for storing different types of materials include the storage durations for samples and slides?

Is an SOP present describing how to clean the laboratory building?

Is a cleaning schedule present?

Is the laboratory cleaned on a regular basis?

Is the Hazardous Material Register up to date?

Take a sample by comparing the amount of several materials as noted in the register and in reality.

Are there spill kits present in adequate numbers and are these kits complete

Have critical environmental/equipment parameters been identified?

Are all Critical Parameter Log Sheets filled out completely and up-to-date?

Are first aid providers present in the laboratory?