Audience: Principal Investigators and Laboratory Assistants in State-Registered Laboratories
The Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) informed Yale during its most recent inspection that, moving forward, all inspection findings will be documented in the inspection closeout report, even if they are corrected immediately during the inspection.
As a result, inspection findings may be associated with the laboratory and the Principal Investigator and could impact, delay, or jeopardize the certification of the entire building. Please also be aware that CT DPH inspection reports are subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and may be available to the public.
While EHS will continue to assist laboratories through pre-inspections, consultations, and regulatory guidance, it is ultimately the responsibility of Principal Investigators to ensure that their laboratories remain compliant and inspection-ready at all times.
Common Findings During CT DPH Inspections and EHS Pre-Inspections
The following issues have frequently been identified and would likely result in an inspection citation:
- Two chairs positioned at a biological safety cabinet (BSC), suggesting that two individuals may be working simultaneously in the BSC, which is prohibited.
- Inadequate biological agent inventory records, including inventories that are not maintained at the individual vial level or that contain discrepancies.
- Evidence of food or beverages in the laboratory.
- Inappropriate laboratory attire, such as shorts or open-toed shoes, worn while working in the laboratory.
- Non-research-related plants present in laboratory areas.
- Laboratory doors propped open when they are required to remain closed at all times.
- Gas cylinders not properly labeled as full, empty, or in service.
- Unsecured gas cylinders. Cylinders must be properly secured with appropriate restraints at the correct height to prevent tipping.
- Working with hazardous materials without appropriate PPE, including required safety glasses or other task-specific protective equipment.
- Incomplete eyewash inspection records, including missing sign-offs on weekly inspection logs. DPH inspectors may review records from the previous three years.
- Biological safety cabinets that have not been certified within the past 12 months.
- Expired disinfectants, including diluted bleach solutions that have exceeded their expiration date or stock disinfectant containers that are past expiration.
- Improperly configured vacuum flask systems or vacuum flasks that are missing required labels indicating contents and preparation date. Bleach-containing flasks should be emptied and refreshed at least weekly.
Please note: CT DPH inspectors may also cite deficiencies identified in non-state registered laboratory spaces that support or are associated with state-registered laboratory operations. All laboratory areas should therefore be maintained in compliance and kept inspection-ready, regardless of whether the space itself is listed on a state registration.
Laboratories should routinely review their spaces, approval letters, training requirements, inventories, equipment certifications, and safety practices to ensure compliance before an inspection occurs.
If you have any questions, please contact Environmental Health & Safety at ehs@yale.edu or via your Safety Advisor.
Thank you for your attention and cooperation.
Kevin Charbonneau
EHS Executive Director
Office of Environmental Health and Safety
Email: kevin.charbonneau@yale.edu
Phone: 203-737-2139 / Mobile: 203-410-8527