Biosafety Levels and Risk Groups Quiz

Risk Groups and Biosafety Levels

• Pathogens are classified into Risk Groups 1 to 4, with Group 4 being the highest risk.

• Risk Group 1: unlikely to cause disease in humans or animals.

• Risk Group 2: can cause disease but unlikely to be a serious hazard to lab workers and the community.

• Risk Group 3: usually causes serious disease but does not readily spread from person to person.

• Risk Group 4: usually causes serious disease and can be readily transmitted from person to person.

• Laboratories are classified into Biosafety Levels (BSL) 1 to 4, with BSL-4 being the highest containment level.

• Most clinical laboratories operate at BSL-2, handling routine specimens under standard precautions.

• BSL-3 labs handle higher-risk organisms such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Risk Group 3 and 4 pathogens.

• BSL-4 labs handle the highest risk pathogens.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• PPE should be the last line of defense against exposures and should be used in conjunction with engineering controls and work practices.
• Mandatory minimum PPE requirements include: protective eyewear, lab coat, closed-toed shoes, and chemical resistant gloves.
• Eye protection is required for several scenarios including working with chemicals, glassware, heating sources, dust, fumes, preserved specimens, and materials that can cause fragmentation or flying particles.
• Eye protection includes safety glasses (with side shields), goggles, and face shields.
• Face shields are used when working with large volumes of hazardous materials or for protection from splashes and flying particles.
• Lab coats provide protection for skin and personal clothing from incidental contact and prevent the spread of contamination.
• Lab coats are available in various materials, including splash resistant, static free, chemical resistant, and flame resistant.
• Gloves should be worn when handling hazardous materials, chemicals of unknown toxicity, corrosive materials, rough or sharp objects, and very hot or cold materials.
• For most circumstances, disposable latex, vinyl, or nitrile examination gloves are sufficient.
• Choose appropriate glove material based on chemical compatibility, degradation rating, breakthrough time, permeation rate, and SDS recommendations.
• Always inspect PPE for damage and contamination prior to use.
• Reusable PPE should be cleaned after each use, while disposable items should only be used once.

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

• The SDS provides detailed information about a chemical, divided into 16 sections.
• Sections include: product and company identification, hazards identification, composition/information on ingredients, first aid measures, fire-fighting measures, accidental release measures, handling and storage, exposure controls/personal protection, physical and chemical properties, stability and reactivity, toxicological information, ecological information, disposal considerations, transport information, regulatory information, and other information.
• Manufacturer labels should include: product identifier, signal word, hazard statements, precautionary statements, supplier identification, and pictograms.

Bloodborne Pathogens

• Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease.
• Examples include hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
• Employers must implement an exposure control plan for the worksite with details on employee protection measures.
• The plan should include engineering and work practice controls, personal protective clothing and equipment, employee training, medical surveillance, hepatitis B vaccinations, and other provisions as required by OSHA.

Bloodborne Pathogens

• Healthcare workers are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, which are infectious organisms found in human blood and body fluids.
• The most concerning bloodborne pathogens are Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
• Standard precautions should be used for all blood and body fluids, treating them as potentially infectious.
• Standard precautions apply to blood, body fluids, secretions (except sweat), excretions, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes.

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

• The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard outlines requirements and recommendations for protecting workers from exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
• The standard includes components like an Exposure Control Plan, preventive measures, methods of control, and procedures for exposure incidents.
• Preventive measures include Hepatitis B vaccination and standard precautions.
• Methods of control include engineering and work practice controls, personal protective equipment, proper housekeeping, and labeling.

Engineering Controls

• Engineering controls isolate workers from hazards and minimize exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
• Examples include self-sheathing needles, sharps disposal containers, disposable resuscitation bags, biological safety cabinets, handwashing facilities, and splash shields.

Work Practice Controls

• Work practice controls specify how to perform tasks safely to minimize exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
• Restrictions include no smoking, eating, drinking, applying cosmetics or lip balm, handling contact lenses, and storing food and beverages where blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) are present.
• No mouth pipetting is allowed.

Sharps

• Sharps are objects that can penetrate the skin, including needles, scalpels, and broken glass.
• Proper handling and disposal of sharps are crucial to prevent injury and potential infection.
• Most hospitals use needle/holder combinations with safety devices to cover needles after use.
• Needleless systems are also available for blood collection without needles.

Sharps Safety Procedures

• Place all needles and sharps in puncture-resistant disposal containers immediately after use.
• Use extreme caution or a safety device when removing scalpel blades from their handles.
• Avoid recapping, bending, shearing, or breaking needles. Do not remove needles from holders or syringes.
• Do not fill sharps containers above the maximum fill line (no more than 3/4 full).

Exposure Incident

• An exposure incident occurs when blood or other potentially infectious body fluid comes into contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin.
• Parenteral exposure is through piercing the skin barrier via needlesticks, cuts, or abrasions.

Exposure Incident Procedures

• If an exposure incident occurs, wash the affected area immediately with soap and water.
• Contact your supervisor immediately, regardless of the time of day.
• Your supervisor will refer you for evaluation and treatment.
• Confidentiality is maintained, and blood testing is only conducted with consent.

Avoiding Exposure

• Safe work practices are essential to prevent infection from bloodborne pathogens.
• Consider how to perform tasks safely to minimize risk.
• Use appropriate engineering controls and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Ask your supervisor if you are unsure about safe task completion.

Test your knowledge on the classification of pathogens into Risk Groups and the corresponding Biosafety Levels in laboratories. This quiz covers key details about each level's risks and required precautions for handling infectious agents. Understand the importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in ensuring safety in lab environments.