Inspections and maintenance
Inspection and maintenance is one element of the Health, Safety, and Environment Management System (HSEMS), which is a framework of policy, procedure and program-level documents in support of safe working and learning activities at the University of Alberta.
U of A senior administrators, supervisors, staff and students have legislated and university-mandated roles and responsibilities related to inspection and maintenance. Review the Inspection and Maintenance Assignment of Accountability and Procedure to learn more.
Regular inspections
Annual inspections
Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) conducts annual inspections of laboratories (including shared spaces, storage rooms, cold rooms and autoclave rooms) to verify safe work practices and answer questions. If you are a new researcher or have a new laboratory on campus, complete the New PI Survey to declare the work that you plan to do.
HSE generally schedules inspections several weeks in advance. You will receive an email notification of the laboratory inspection and a link to the inspection checklist. To prepare for the inspection:
- Review the inspection checklist and address any outstanding issues.
- Check your laboratory registry on ARISE to ensure that it is up-to-date.
- As the PI, be prepared to accompany the HSE representative during the inspection (approximately 60 minutes on average). If you are unavailable, assign another member of the research group who is familiar with all elements of the laboratory and is able to register the laboratory in ARISE (or make updates to the registry).
- Assemble documentation that is part of the inspection process.
- Write down any questions you (or your research group) have for HSE.
Following the inspection, HSE will send you an electronic report with any outstanding items that may need follow-up. If you have questions regarding the report, contact hse.info@ualberta.ca.
In addition to annual inspections, HSE also conducts inspections related to the use of biohazardous materials, nuclear substances, and lasers or x-ray equipment.
On a regular basis
In between annual inspections, complete the laboratory safety checklist on a monthly basis and conduct eyewash testing weekly to maintain safe, healthy and environmentally-responsible practices in the workplace.
For office or administrative areas, use this template to conduct a monthly or quarterly safety inspection.
Laboratory repairs or maintenance
Complete the Facilities and Operations work requisition form, including information about hazards in the space. Attach a hazard assessment as necessary.
Moving equipment
Thinking of moving or surplussing equipment? Equipment MUST be decontaminated before it's moved. Follow the steps below:
- For biological safety cabinets: contact HSE at hse.info@ualberta.ca for assistance.
- For any other equipment: complete and submit an equipment decontamination form.
Top Inspection Findings & Corrective Actions
Found a mystery chemical?
Broken fumehood, eyewash or emergency shower?
Facilities & Operations (F&O) tests and maintains fumehoods, plumbed eyewash stations and emergency showers.
Contact F&O at 780-492-4833.