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Weekly Safety Inspection of School Science Laboratory Instructional Spaces
By Ken Roy
Posted on 2026-10-13
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this blog post are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA).
Being aware of safety hazards in laboratory instructional spaces is critical to creating a safer teaching and learning environment. Conducting a weekly inspection of high school and middle school science laboratory instructional spaces is one way to gain this awareness. The inspection should focus on potential safety hazards and resulting health and safety risks that can change in the time between formal annual inspections. Many school science laboratory instructional spaces are governed by legal safety standards such as state education rules and fire codes, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration legal safety standard requirements apply to most employee workplaces. Schools also need to follow better professional safety practices from organizations such as the American Chemical Society, the National Science Teaching Association, and the National Science Education Leadership Association.
Recommended Weekly Inspection Checklist Items
Safety compliance officers, chemical hygiene officers, and laboratory instructional space instructors can use the following checklist in their weekly inspections.
| Inspection Area | Weekly Inspection Items |
| General housekeeping | Floors clean and dry, clutter removed, aisles clear, benches organized, waste removed, no trip hazards |
| Exits | Exit doors unlocked, pathways clear, exit signs illuminated, emergency lighting functional |
| Emergency equipment | Fire extinguishers accessible, eyewash tested (per school policy), safety shower accessible, first-aid kit stocked, fire blanket available if provided |
| Ventilation | General ventilation operating, unusual odors absent, supply and exhaust vents unobstructed |
| Chemical fume hood | Face velocity indicator normal (if equipped), sash operating properly, sash closed when not in use, storage minimized inside hood, airflow unobstructed |
| Local exhaust systems | Snorkels, extraction arms, and ventilation systems functioning properly |
| Electrical safety | No damaged cords, no overloaded outlets, GFCIs functional where required, panels accessible, no storage in electrical rooms |
| Chemical storage | Containers closed, chemicals labeled, no leaks, shelves organized, incompatible chemicals separated |
| Flammable storage | Cabinets labeled, doors closed, quantities within policy, containers in good condition |
| Corrosive storage | Acids separated from bases, secondary containment present, nitric acid stored appropriately, corrosion not evident |
| Oxidizers | Stored separately from organics and flammables |
| Toxic chemicals | Secure storage, labeling intact, inventory current |
| Peroxide formers | Dates marked, expiration monitored, containers inspected |
| Compressed gas cylinders | Secured with chains or straps, valve caps installed when not in use, regulators in good condition |
| Chemical waste | Containers labeled, waste segregated, lids closed, accumulation dates documented where required |
| Hazard communication | Safety Data Sheets accessible, labels legible, secondary containers labeled, chemical inventory updated |
| Laboratory equipment | Glassware intact, hot plates functioning safely, centrifuges balanced, burners inspected |
| Gas systems | Gas valves labeled, emergency shutoff accessible, tubing in good condition, leaks absent |
| Water systems | Faucets operational, sinks draining properly, emergency eyewash supplied with water |
| Personal protective equipment (PPE) | Goggles available, face shields clean, gloves appropriate, lab coats available and in good condition |
| Biosafety (if applicable) | Biological materials properly stored, disinfectants available, sharps disposed properly |
| Radiation/Laser equipment | Warning labels present, controls functioning, access restricted if applicable |
| Spill preparedness | Spill kit stocked, absorbents available, neutralizers available, cleanup procedures posted |
| Refrigerators/Freezers | No food stored with chemicals, laboratory-only units labeled, chemicals compatible with storage |
| Storage shelving | Heavy items stored low, shelving secure, earthquake restraints if required by local code |
| Documentation | Chemical hygiene plan available, inspections documented, corrective actions tracked. |
Recommended Follow-Up Actions
An effective inspection checklist program should not stop at identifying potential safety hazards and health and safety risks; results need to be addressed with follow-up actions:
- Assign task a priority (high, medium, or low).
- Assign task to a specific responsible person.
- Give a target completion date for the task.
- Someone other than the person who performed the work (when practical) should verify the issue has been addressed.
- Carry the task forward for subsequent weekly inspections until the issue is considered closed.
This process creates a documented record of potential safety hazard and health and safety risk identification and correction.
Using a checklist consistently each week helps an instructor identify potential safety hazards and resulting health and safety risks before they become serious safety issues or compliance findings. Many schools adapt these items into a digital inspection form with pass/fail fields, photo attachments, corrective action assignments, and due dates so deficiencies can be tracked through resolution. These actions need to be based on legal safety standards and better professional safety practices to ensure a safer teaching and learning instructional space for both students and teachers.
Submit questions regarding health and safety issues in science and STEM instructional spaces to Ken Roy at safersci@gmail.com. Follow Ken Roy on X: @drroysafersci.
The mission of NSTA is to transform science education to benefit all through professional learning, partnerships, and advocacy.