Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plan Audit Checklist [FREE PDF]

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1450 mandates that all laboratories handling hazardous chemicals maintain a written Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) and conduct regular audits to verify its effectiveness. The CHP must address standard operating procedures, exposure controls, employee training, and medical surveillance, with documented reviews at least annually. This checklist guides Lab Safety Officers through a comprehensive CHP audit to ensure regulatory compliance, protect worker health, and maintain records req

  • Industry: Laboratory Services
  • Frequency: Annually
  • Estimated Time: 60-90 minutes
  • Role: Lab Safety Officer
  • Total Items: 39
  • Compliance: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1450 - Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories, GLP 21 CFR 58.81 - Standard Operating Procedures, CAP Accreditation Standards - CHM.12300 Chemical Hygiene Plan, CLIA 42 CFR 493.1101 - Standard; Facilities, EPA 40 CFR 260-270 - Hazardous Waste Management

CHP Document Control & Accessibility

Verify the Chemical Hygiene Plan is current, formally approved, and accessible to all laboratory personnel.

  • Is the Chemical Hygiene Plan current and reviewed within the past 12 months?
  • Is the CHP signed and approved by the Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO)?
  • Is the CHP readily accessible to all laboratory employees during all work shifts?
  • Does the CHP include a list of all particularly hazardous substances (PHS) used in the lab?
  • Are all document revisions tracked with version history in the CHP?

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Confirm that chemical-specific SOPs are written, current, and used by laboratory staff.

  • Are written SOPs available for all procedures involving hazardous chemicals?
  • Do SOPs include specific PPE requirements for each procedure?
  • Are SOPs for particularly hazardous substances reviewed and approved at least annually?
  • Are emergency response procedures (spill, exposure) documented in relevant SOPs?
  • Are decontamination and waste disposal procedures included in chemical SOPs?

Exposure Controls & Engineering Controls

Assess the adequacy of engineering controls, ventilation, and PPE programs.

  • Are fume hoods and biological safety cabinets inspected and certified within the past 12 months?
  • Are permissible exposure limits (PELs) and action levels documented and posted for regulated substances?
  • Is a PPE assessment documented and appropriate PPE available for all chemical hazards?
  • Are eyewash stations and safety showers accessible and inspected weekly?
  • Is air monitoring conducted for chemicals with established exposure limits when indicated?

Chemical Inventory & Storage

Verify that chemical inventories are current and storage practices meet safety and regulatory requirements.

  • Is a current chemical inventory maintained and updated at least annually?
  • Are Safety Data Sheets (SDS) available for all chemicals in the laboratory?
  • Are incompatible chemicals stored separately with appropriate segregation?
  • Are all chemical containers properly labeled with GHS-compliant labels?
  • Are quantities of flammable liquids stored in the lab within approved limits?

Employee Training & Records

Confirm that all lab personnel have received required chemical hygiene training and records are documented.

  • Have all laboratory employees received initial CHP training prior to working with hazardous chemicals?
  • Is annual refresher training documented for all current laboratory personnel?
  • Are training records retained for the duration of employment plus 30 years for exposure records?
  • Is training provided when new chemicals or procedures are introduced to the laboratory?
  • Are training records signed by both the trainer and each employee trainee?

Medical Surveillance Program

Review the medical surveillance provisions of the CHP and verify program implementation.

  • Does the CHP include provisions for medical consultation after potential overexposure events?
  • Are medical surveillance records maintained confidentially and accessible only to authorized personnel?
  • Is a designated physician or licensed health professional identified in the CHP for medical consultations?
  • Have all incidents involving chemical overexposure been documented and reviewed by the CHO?

Chemical Waste Management & Disposal

Ensure hazardous chemical waste is properly labeled, stored, and disposed of in accordance with federal and state regulations.

  • Are all hazardous waste containers properly labeled with waste contents and accumulation start date?
  • Is hazardous waste removed from satellite accumulation areas within regulatory timeframes?
  • Is a licensed hazardous waste disposal contractor used for chemical waste removal?
  • Are waste disposal manifests and certificates of destruction retained for at least 3 years?
  • Are drain disposal logs maintained for any chemicals approved for drain disposal?

Audit Findings & Corrective Actions

Document overall audit findings, deficiencies identified, and required corrective actions.

  • Were any critical deficiencies identified that require immediate corrective action?
  • Have corrective actions from the previous CHP audit been completed and verified?
  • Were any near-misses or chemical incidents identified for review during this audit period?
  • Overall Audit Summary and Key Findings
  • Corrective Action Plan with Target Completion Dates

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Why Use This Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plan Audit Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This laboratory chemical hygiene plan audit checklist [free pdf] helps laboratory services teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for lab safety officer professionals, this checklist covers 39 critical inspection points across 8 sections. Recommended frequency: annually.

Ensures compliance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1450 - Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories, GLP 21 CFR 58.81 - Standard Operating Procedures, CAP Accreditation Standards - CHM.12300 Chemical Hygiene Plan, CLIA 42 CFR 493.1101 - Standard; Facilities, EPA 40 CFR 260-270 - Hazardous Waste Management. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plan Audit Checklist [FREE PDF] cover?

This checklist covers 39 inspection items across 8 sections: CHP Document Control & Accessibility, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Exposure Controls & Engineering Controls, Chemical Inventory & Storage, Employee Training & Records, Medical Surveillance Program, Chemical Waste Management & Disposal, Audit Findings & Corrective Actions. It is designed for laboratory services operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed annually. Each completion takes approximately 60-90 minutes.

Who should use this Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plan Audit Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This checklist is designed for Lab Safety Officer professionals in the laboratory services industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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