Laboratory Inspections

It is the aim of the Environmental Health & Safety Department to work cooperatively with principal investigators and laboratory workers to achieve compliance with University safety policies, the Chemical Hygiene Plan, and governmental regulations. 

EH&S Inspections

Periodically, EH&S will conduct inspections of the laboratories on campus. The frequency of the inspections will depend upon the hazards present in each lab. These inspections are not intended to be punitive in nature but rather an opportunity to conduct a hazard assessment of the operation(s), identify areas that are not up to standard, and implement corrective actions to maintain safety as a primary goal.  EH&S inspections will be conducted using the Risk and Safety Solutions software. Visit the RSS Inspection page for more information about the inspection software tool.  

The laboratory inspection report identifying deficiencies and areas for improvement will be directed to the laboratory's Principal Investigator, and any applicable department designee. These items must be corrected within 30 days of receipt of the laboratory inspection report. If the items cannot be corrected within that timeframe, the Principal Investigator or designee must submit a corrective action plan detailing the expected corrections and estimated date of completion within the same 30 days. The Principal Investigator may designate a responsible party to submit the report. Any inspection finding posing eminent danger (likely to cause a serious hazard, injury, disability or death) must be corrected immediately.

Safety Self-Inspections

In addition to the inspections conducted by EH&S, the department must also conduct periodic self-inspections to ensure students are working in a safe environment. Visit the Safety Self-Inspections page for more information on self-inspections.

Regulatory Inspections

On occasion SSU may be visited by federal, state, county or city regulatory inspectors. Some of these groups may contact EH&S or the Research Office to initiate an inspection, but others may just present themselves at a lab or building. If this occurs, it is recommended that you follow these procedures:

• Contact EH&S at 707-664-2100 (or safety@sonoma.edu) to inform them of the inspection. Provide the affiliation of the inspector when calling to assure the proper response from EH&S.
• Request identification or credentials from the inspector. Write down the inspector's name and affiliation. If satisfactory credentials are not provided, do not offer any further assistance and contact Sonoma State  PD immediately.
• Contact your PI, department chair and/or administrative manager to inform them of the inspector's presence. The department chair and the director of EH&S should advise the administration that the inspector is on site and arrange for any close-out conferences requested.
• Do not decline the inspection, however ask the inspector if they can wait until one or more of the above individuals can join the inspection. At a minimum, the PI or EH&S representative should be present before proceeding. If EH&S is not present before the inspection starts, please take notes of what is said and/or visited until they arrive.
• Advise the inspector that EH&S is on their way to assist with the inspection/investigation.
• The inspector must always be accompanied by you or another SSU personnel during the inspection so do not allow them unescorted access to your facility.
• Ensure both the escort and the inspector wear all appropriate or required personal protective equipment.

If you are contacted by a regulatory agency to schedule an inspection, please inform EH&S and allow the appropriate personnel to be present to assist with the inspection.

If you have any questions regarding these procedures, please contact EH&S at 707-664-2100 (or safety@sonoma.edu)

You can also checkout Surviving an Inspection for helpful information.