Lab Safety and Hazards

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary consideration in a laboratory environment?

Personal safety (correct)

Cost-effectiveness

Productivity

Efficiency

Which type of hazard is not typically found in a laboratory environment?

Biological

Chemical

Physical

Meteorological (correct)

What is the primary purpose of a safety shower?

To clean equipment

To extinguish fires

To flush contaminated skin or eyes (correct)

To wash hands

What is the term for the process of reducing the number of microorganisms on a surface?

Disinfection Signup and view all the answers

What type of fire extinguisher is used for electrical fires?

Class C Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in managing a broken tube in a centrifuge?

Contain the spill Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of personal protective equipment (PPE)?

To protect the laboratory worker Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a substance that inhibits the growth of microorganisms?

Antiseptic Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of an eyewash station?

To flush contaminated eyes Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if your feet do not touch the floor while sitting on an ergonomically designed chair?

Use the chair's foot rings Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of having a waste container in the BSC?

To dispose of hazardous materials Signup and view all the answers

Why should you avoid excessive movements of the hands and arms through the front opening?

To prevent contamination of the BSC Signup and view all the answers

What should you do upon completion of work in a BSC?

Allow enough time for the air to purge Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of emergency showers and eyewash stations?

To minimize the effects of accident exposure to chemicals Signup and view all the answers

What is critical in the event of a corrosive substance exposure?

The first 10-15 seconds after exposure Signup and view all the answers

Why should you keep clean items separate from dirty items in a BSC?

To reduce contamination risk Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of using emergency showers in cases of accident exposure?

They minimize the effects of accident exposure Signup and view all the answers

Why should you routinely remove the work surface and disinfect the tray beneath?

To reduce contamination risk Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended action when handling chemicals and the skin or eyes come into contact with them?

Flush with water for 15 minutes Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to store liquids below eye level?

To prevent accidental spills Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a safety data sheet (SDS)?

To include possible hazards, first aid treatment, and dilution and mixture concentration Signup and view all the answers

Why should pregnant lab staff avoid areas displaying the radiation symbol?

Because radiation exposure can cause harm to the fetus Signup and view all the answers

What should you do when working with radiation?

Wear a badge that registers radiation exposure Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended action when handling a chemical spill?

Clean up the spill immediately using a spill kit Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a chemical-resistant container in a spill kit?

To hold the kit contents such as a 5-gallon plastic bucket Signup and view all the answers

Why should you minimize the quantities of chemicals in the laboratory?

To reduce the risk of accidents Signup and view all the answers

Why should you segregate chemicals by reactivity class and flammability?

To prevent incompatible chemicals from coming into contact Signup and view all the answers

What is the main priority when handling a biological spill?

Containment Signup and view all the answers

What type of hazard is radiation an example of?

Physical hazard Signup and view all the answers

What should you do with loose clothing in a laboratory?

Not wear it at all Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a safety hood in a laboratory?

To separate a lab employee from a specimen Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with caustic materials after use?

Dispose of them according to the SDS sheets Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of performing preventative maintenance on laboratory equipment?

To ensure the equipment is safe to use Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with biological waste in a laboratory?

Dispose of it in a biohazard container Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of maintaining equipment logs in a laboratory?

To track the maintenance history of the equipment Signup and view all the answers

What should you do with open-toed shoes in a laboratory?

Not wear them at all Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if someone else wants to view the Safety Data Sheets?

Have it on hand and available for them to view Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the response team in the event of a biological spill?

To provide guidance on the cleanup process Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended dilution of bleach or other disinfectant solution for cleaning up a biological spill?

1:10 Signup and view all the answers

How long should you allow the bleach solution to contact the spill area?

30 minutes Signup and view all the answers

What should you do after wiping down contaminated equipment or furniture with disinfectant?

Re-clean the area with disinfectant solution Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum amount of spill material that is usually considered a large spill?

10 ml Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if the spilled material goes through the grills to the catch tray?

Pour disinfectant to dilute the spill Signup and view all the answers

What should you do first in the event of a large spill?

Inform others in the area and move out of the room for 10-30 minutes Signup and view all the answers

What should you do after removing the paper towels and re-cleaning the area with disinfectant solution?

Remove your gloves Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Laboratory Safety

Laboratory safety is a top priority to ensure patient and personal safety.

Types of Hazards

Chemical hazards: e.g., flammable liquids, toxic gases
Physical hazards: e.g., radiation, noise, temperature (cold or hot), mechanical
Biological hazards: microorganisms capable of causing disease, e.g., HIV
Ergonomic hazards: elements related to workplace design that stress the body physically or mentally
Psychosocial hazards: conditions of work that cause psychological stress to the worker, e.g., sexual harassment

Lab Safety Rules

Nothing should be put in one's mouth
Hands must be washed frequently
Do not apply cosmetics in the lab
No food should be placed in lab refrigerators
Loose clothing should not be worn
Long hair should be pulled back
Open-toed shoes are prohibited in all areas of a lab
Caustic materials must be disposed of according to SDS sheets
Biological waste should be disposed of in a biohazard container and needles in a sharps container

Safety Equipment

Safety showers and eyewash stations: provide on-the-spot decontamination and allow workers to flush away hazardous substances
Fire extinguishers: different types are available for various types of fires (e.g., Class A, B, C, D)
Personal protective equipment (PPE): includes safety goggles, face shields, gloves, and laboratory coats

Disinfection and Antiseptics

Disinfection: process of eliminating or reducing microorganisms on a surface
Antiseptics: substances that inhibit the growth of microorganisms on living tissue
Examples of disinfectants and antiseptics: commonly used in laboratory settings

Dealing with Broken Tubes in the Centrifuge

Containment procedures: protocols for safely managing broken tubes in a centrifuge
Decontamination steps: including equipment maintenance procedures

Operating a Fire Extinguisher

Procedures for handling biological spills: including containment, disinfection, and waste disposal

Biological Safety

Definition of a biological spill: biological spillage is where a bodily fluid (e.g., faeces, urine, and blood) has been spilt
Steps for responding to a biological spill: put on gloves, cover the area, prepare a bleach solution, soak paper towels, apply to the spill area, allow a 30-minute contact period, and clean up

General Safety Precautions

Make sure equipment is safe to use
Recognize and report any malfunctions
Perform preventative maintenance
Maintain equipment logs
Store reagents safely
Use safety hoods and biological safety cabinets (BSCs) correctly
Follow proper procedures for working with radiation

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Description

This quiz covers the importance of patient and personal safety, types of hazards present in laboratory environments, and lab safety rules.