Comprehensive Lab Inspections by EHS Chemical Safety are pre-announced through the building manager, lab manager, and Department Chair.

Inspections are completed using a 76 point check list. A copy of the checklist is available.  Inspection reports are generated and sent to the PI within 3 days of the inspection.

Types of Comprehensive Inspections
  • Routine (Pre-Notification through building manager, lab manager, or RTK coordinator)
  • As a result of an accident (Conducted as part of the accident investigation No special notification given)
  • As a result of a highly hazardous situation identified in a Quick Check inspection or some other means (Emergency – no notification given)
  • By request from the department, PI, or facility manager (Pre-notification through requesting party - surprise inspections only when specifically requested)
  • Comprehensive Inspection Reports are provided to the PI, lab manager, Department Chair, and the GIT Chemical and Environmental Safety Committee (CESC) Chair
  • Work order generation: EH&S submits work order requests directly to appropriate maintenance group
  • Follow up procedures: Re-inspection will occur between 1 day and 6 weeks after inspection, depending on the level of hazard involved.
  • Failure to Correct Notifications are sent to the Department Chair, School Dean, CESC Chair, and the GT Institute Council on Environmental Health and Safety Chair (with a cc to the PI) only if safety issues remain after the re-inspection.
  • Routine inspections are done on a building-wide basis.  Department Chairs will receive a summary of the inspection results for all of their department’s labs in that building, referred to as a “Report Card”, within a month of the building’s inspections having been completed.
  • Lab closures or work stoppages are avoided whenever possible, however, in the event of a safety hazard that poses an imminent threat to the health and safety of Georgia Tech personnel, or presents a serious hazard of property damage, the lab will be closed and/or a particular process will be stopped until the safety hazards are remediated.  Disciplinary action up to and including termination of contract may be taken against PIs who fail to remediate safety hazards in their labs. 

Frequency of Comprehensive Inspections

It is the intent of GT EHS to conduct comprehensive lab inspections every two years.  However, this frequency is subject to personnel availability, and to the risk level posed by the nature of the research being conducted in the lab.  New research, as indicated by new research proposals involving chemical agents will result in a re-inspection of any lab that has not been inspected in the last 12 months.