EH&S Laboratory and Shop Inspection Program

Description
The Laboratory and Shop Inspection Program is a campus-wide inspection program designed to improve regulatory compliance and increase campus awareness of environment, health and safety issues. Rooms on campus where hazardous materials are used or stored are inspected annually. An inspector from the Office of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) conducts the inspections which typically last 15 minutes per room. The EH&S inspector works with campus Department Safety Coordinators (DSCs) to schedule and carry out the inspections in such a way that teaching, research and other campus operations experience minimal interruptions.

To ensure wide coverage of safety issues, the focus of these inspections changes annually.  The inspection checklist (see links at left) for 2007/08 addresses compressed gasses (including lecture bottles), clutter as a safety concern in laboratories, chemical inventory door signs, and unwanted hazardous material. EH&S has prepared a Laboratory and Shop Inspection Program guidance document which offers help in correcting issues that are raised during the inspections.

Responsibilities
Campus safety is a shared responsibility. Faculty and staff including PIs and deans, directors and department chairs, are directed by campus policy to ensure adherence to environment, health and safety regulations, principles and practices.

How to Prepare for the Annual Inspection
EH&S provides your Department Safety Coordinator with advance notice of your inspection schedule. In addition, the Laboratory and Shop Inspection Program guidance document contains information about how to resolve issues raised during the inspection. Contact Celia Shryne (3-7961 or cshryne@berkeley.edu) with any questions or concerns about the Laboratory and Shop Inspection Program.