Lab Safety Procedures

• Identifying and mitigating potential hazards in work environments is important
• Components of the National Fire Protection Association hazardous material labeling system should be stated and interpreted

Learning Safety

• Working safely requires knowledge of existing hazards
• Working safely also requires knowledge of the basic safety precautions associated with hazards
• Understanding the application of common sense for patients, coworkers, and themselves is important

Organizations

• CDC: Centers for Disease mandates safety procedure manuals
• OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration mandates safety procedure manuals
• CLSI: CLSI: Clinical And Laboratory Standards Institution provides the guidelines for writing the procedures and policies

Types of Safety Hazards and Injuries

• Biologic hazards: Infectious agents cause bacterial, fungal, viral, or parasitic infections
• Sharps hazards: Needles, lancets, and broken glass cause cuts, punctures, or are blood-borne
• Chemical hazards: Preservatives and reagents lead to exposure to toxic, carcinogenic, or caustic agents
• Radioactive hazards: Equipment and radioisotopes causes radiation exposure
• Electrical hazards: Ungrounded or wet equipment and frayed cords cause burn or shock
• Fire/explosive hazards: Open flames and organic chemicals cause burns or dismemberment
• Physical hazards: wet floors, heavy boxes, and patients cause falls, sprains, or strains

Biological Hazards

• These are signified by a specific symbol, usually a trefoil shape in yellow or green or a symbol representing a potential danger from biological substances

Transmission

• A susceptible host includes: The elderly, infants, immunocompromised patients, and anyone!
• Pathogens include bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites
• Portal of entry includes the: mouth, nose, eyes, and cuts in skin
• Reservoirs consist of: People, animals, soil, food, water,
• The mode of transmission includes: Direct contact, indirect contact, and vectors
• The portal of exit consists of: Coughing/sneezing, bodily secretions, and feces

Breaking the chain of infection

• Breaking the link between infectious agents and susceptible hosts is usually best achieved through immunizations and healthy lifestyles
• Hand hygiene breaks the potential reservior link
• PPE (personal protective equipment), disinfection and sterilization of equipment breaks the portal of entry link
• By disinfecting and practicing hand hygiene you break the means of transmission link
• PPE, standard precautions and patient isolation breaks the portal of exit link

Standard Precautions

• Performing hand hygiene is included
• Wearing gloves is included
• Mouth, nose and eye protection are included
• A gown is important
• Patient care equipment standards are important
• Following environmental control standards are important
• Following linen handling procedures are important
• Considering occupational health hazards and blood-borne pathogens are important
• Patient placement when dealing with infections should be considered
• Respiratory hygiene / cough etiquette should be considered

Biological waste disposal

• Dispose of all biological waste, except urine, in labeled containers with the biohazard symbol
• Urine can be discarded in a laboratory sink under a Plexiglas shield, avoiding splashes, followed by flushing with water
• Disinfect the sink daily using a 1:5 or 1:10 dilution of sodium hypochlorite

Sharp Hazards

• Dispose of all sharp objects in puncture-resistant, leak-proof containers with the biohazard symbol
• Do not overfill biohazard sharp containers and always replace them when the safety capacity mark is reached

Chemical Hazards

• First aid for skin contact with chemicals is to flush the affected area with a large amount of water for 15 minutes and seek medical attention
• Only mix chemicals together if specific instructions are followed and must be added in the order specified
• Always add acid to water to avoid sudden splashing
• Pipetting by mouth is unacceptable in the laboratory
• Should be labeled with a description of their particular hazard(s) like: poisonous, corrosive, flammable, explosive, teratogenic, carcinogenic,

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

• OSHA Federal Hazard Communication Standard means all employees have a right to know about the chemical hazards present in their workplace
• Contained information includes: physical and chemical characteristics, fire and explosion potential, reactive potential, health hazards and emergency first aid procedures, methods for safe handling and disposal, primary routes of entry, exposure limits and carcinogenic potential

Radioactive Hazards

• Radioactivity may be encountered in the laboratory when procedures using radioisotopes are performed
• The amount of radiation exposure is related to a combination of time, distance, and shielding
• Display the radiation symbol on the doors of all areas where radioactive materials are present

Electrical Hazards

• In the event of an electrical hazard the electrical source must be removed immediately
• Turn off the power

Fire/Explosive Hazards

• Laboratory personnel should be familiar with these procedures:
• Rescue: rescue anyone in immediate danger
• Alarm: activate the institutional fire alarm system
• Contain: close all doors to potentially affected areas
• Extinguish/Evacuate: attempt to extinguish the fire, or evacuate

Questions cover essential lab safety protocols, including radiation exposure, chemical handling (MSDS), employee rights (OSHA), carcinogens, hazard types, fire safety, and electrical hazards. It emphasizes emergency procedures and important safety measures within a laboratory setting.