Self-Inspections
A self-inspection is a walk-through of your area(s) by you or someone in your department with the objective of identifying any unsafe conditions. The inspection should cover every area that is occupied or used by members of your department on a regular basis. This includes but is not limited to offices, laboratories and common rooms.
- All work areas should complete the appropriate Self-Inspection Checklist by the due date.
- The completed form(s) are maintained by the department Health and Safety Contact (HSC).
- Completed checklists and a record of the actions taken to correct identified unsafe conditions are kept on file by the department for three years (Santa Clara County and Cal/OSHA requirements).
General Workplace Self-Inspections
General Workplace Self-Inspections are conducted in ALL work areas at least ONCE PER YEAR to evaluate fire and electrical safety, office ergonomics and general safety hazards in the workplace. Each department or division in the School of Medicine is required to self-inspect work areas, document the results, make necessary corrections, and maintain records for completing the process. Use the General Workplace Inspection Checklist to prepare.
Quarterly Lab Self-Inspections
Quarterly Lab Self-Inspections are a quarterly walk-through conducted by a department member with the objective of identifying any unsafe conditions in laboratories/shops that are using or storing hazardous materials or waste. Use the Laboratory Inspection Checklist to prepare.
Monthly Inspection Form for Hazardous Materials Storage Area
Monthly Inspection Form for Hazardous Materials Storage Area is used to inspect rooms that are designated as hazardous materials storage areas and are not occupied by any personnel on a routine basis. Use the Hazardous Materials Storage Area: Monthly Inspection to prepare.
Self-Inspection Schedule
| Quarter | Quarter Ends |
Form |
|---|---|---|
Quarter 1 |
March 31 |
|
Quarter 2 |
June 30 |
|
Quarter 3 |
September 30 |
|
Quarter 4 |
December 31 |
|
Self-Inspection Instructions
Department Contacts
- Distribute self-inspection information to members of your group.
- Collect and file completed inspection forms returned by your work area contacts.
- In LAB AREAS, make sure that lab contacts have walked through ALL ROOMS for their PI and have included the ROOM NUMBERS on the Lab Inspection Checklist.
- Check forms for items needing correction and assist if necessary. (e.g. work order requests, etc.)
- Check the Life Safety Boxes and verify that the information on the Contact Notification form is current.
- Notify the Safety and Emergency Management to in advance if your department will not be able to meet the due date.
Work Area/Lab Contacts
- Make sure to check all the rooms listed for your PI/Chemical Owner. If the rooms on the list do not match chemical storage locations, update the information in ChemTracker
- Training and support for ChemTracker is available through the University EHS office by submitting an online ChemTracker Support Request.
- LABS: Complete self-inspections in your work area using the LABORATORY INSPECTION CHECKLIST for ALL work areas including labs, offices, shared rooms such as common rooms, dark rooms, cold rooms, TC rooms, fumehood rooms, coldrooms, etc.
- SHOPS: Complete self-inspections in your work area using the SHOP AREA INSPECTION CHECKLIST.
- Don't forget to record the room numbers for all rooms at the top of the form.
- Record findings, report unsafe conditions to staff who can get them fixed in your department, correct any problems and document in writing the actions taken to correct identified hazards.
- Return completed forms to your department contact.
- Share findings and corrections with other members in work area.