Regular and random safety inspections of laboratories, workshops, stores, offices and other rooms and spaces are carried out in order to maintain as high a level of Safety as is practicable, to comply with legal requirements. Demerit points will be meted out for safety violations.
In order to inspect all areas of the Department of Chemistry on a regular, frequent basis, Inspections are divided into two principal formats:-
The PI of the lab is requested to complete a Safety Assessment of the laboratories for which they have responsibility on a regular basis, e.g. monthly. This Assessment, as far as possible, is conducted with the assistance of the researchers who work in those laboratories and assigned lab technologists (whilst remaining the responsibility of the PI) at the same time. A standard Lab Self Assessment Form is used to complete the Assessment and a copy should be kept in the lab. Any necessary remedial work identified by the Assessment should be arranged at this time.
All academic supervisors are required to inspect their own research labs regularly. As a minimum, the PI should visit his/her labs at least once a month. To aid them in the self inspection, a checklist can be found here. An NUS email login may be required to access the checklist
From time to time unannounced, Spot Inspections are carried out. The purposes of this type of Inspection are to ensure that all parts of the Building are visited regularly to see that obvious failings, identified to the PI, are dealt with quickly and to allow a basis for the prioritisation of more in-depth inspections. The reports of the spot inspections may be posted for sharing within the Department (internal use only).
Serious Faults
If, in the course of these Inspections, or by any other means, the Inspection Team, or any of its members, identifies a situation in a laboratory, workshop or other area which, in their opinion, constitutes a serious danger to workers in that area or to any member of the Department of Chemistry, the Departmental Safety Committee will recommend to the Head of Department that that laboratory, workshop or area be closed until such time as the situation has been remedied to the satisfaction of the Inspection Team.
A checklist of items examined in the course of Safety Inspections can be found here.