Occupational Health and Safety Standards

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of Universal Precautions?

To reduce the risk of blood borne transmission (correct)

To protect patients only

To allow safe handling of food in laboratories

To eliminate all infectious agents

Which of the following materials are required to be provided to employees under OSHA's standards for Occupational Exposure?

Gowns, gloves, and sharps disposal containers (correct)

Protective eyewear only

Immunization records only

Surgical masks only

What does Standard Precautions encompass in clinical settings?

Protocols for specific illnesses only

Only high-risk patients

Care for all staff and patients regardless of their infectious status (correct)

Exclusively for emergency situations

What is the significance of the N95 mask in regard to airborne precautions?

It filters out 95% of particulates that are at least 0.3 microns in size Signup and view all the answers

Under occupational exposure guidelines, which activity is strictly prohibited in the work area?

Applying lip balm Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended concentration of hypochlorite solution for disinfecting surfaces contaminated with blood borne pathogens?

5.25% Signup and view all the answers

What should be done for employees who have been accidentally exposed to blood borne pathogens?

They should receive medical follow-up Signup and view all the answers

What does Body Substance Isolation (BSI) specifically target?

Transmission of pathogens from moist body substances Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)?

To provide for health and safety at work Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following classifications refers to individuals who are never exposed to blood and body fluids?

Category 3 Signup and view all the answers

What is included in the Biosafety Level 1 (BSL 1) basic safety practices?

Mechanical pipetting Signup and view all the answers

What does the formula RISK = HAZARD X EXPOSURE imply?

Risk can be reduced by lowering either hazard or exposure Signup and view all the answers

Which biosafety level requires workers to wear full body garments with respiratory protection?

Biosafety Level 3 Signup and view all the answers

What does 'biohazard' specifically refer to?

Living organisms that pose health risks Signup and view all the answers

What is a crucial component of the chain of infection?

Transmission routes Signup and view all the answers

Which organization collaborates globally to promote biosafety and biosecurity?

BioRisk Association of the Philippines Signup and view all the answers

What is typically the role of a biosafety cabinet?

To protect users from exposure to hazardous biological materials Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between biosafety and biosecurity?

Biosafety focuses on preventing exposure, while biosecurity focuses on preventing theft or misuse of pathogens. Signup and view all the answers

What practice is NOT considered part of Standard Precautions?

Vaccination against infectious diseases Signup and view all the answers

At which biosafety level is routine medical testing for workers required?

Biosafety Level 3 Signup and view all the answers

Which transmission route is NOT part of the chain of infection?

Fungal spores Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a standard practice in BSL 2 procedures?

No personal protective equipment Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of work practice controls in a laboratory setting?

To mandate measures that reduce or eliminate exposure to hazards Signup and view all the answers

Which biosafety cabinet class allows for both safe handling of materials and protection of the user?

Class II Signup and view all the answers

What is the first action to take in the event of a chemical spill according to the containment procedures?

Contain the spill Signup and view all the answers

Which step is NOT part of the RACE acronym for effective fire safety practices?

Extinguish fire as soon as possible Signup and view all the answers

What is a key reason for using donning protocols for personal protective equipment (PPE)?

To prevent occupational exposure to hazards Signup and view all the answers

How should biological waste be disposed of in a laboratory?

All biological waste must be placed in containers labeled with the biohazard symbol Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a category of safety signs found in laboratory settings?

Innovation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a component of the Hierarchy of Controls?

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Signup and view all the answers

What emergency procedure should be followed after a needlestick injury?

Report the injury according to institutional policy Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Hazards in the Clinical Laboratory

Hazards in a clinical laboratory encompass various types, including biological, chemical, physical, electrical, and fire/explosive hazards.
A hazard is something with the potential to harm.
A risk is the likelihood of a hazard causing harm. Risk = Hazard x Exposure.
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) sets out employer and employee duties to ensure safe and healthy work conditions in workplaces.
OSHA's role includes setting and enforcing standards, providing training, outreach, education, and assistance to workers.
OSHA establishes categories of exposure to blood and bodily fluids: category 1 is daily exposure, category 2 is regular exposure, and category 3 is no exposure.

Objectives

Define the difference between a hazard and a risk.
Explain OSHA and other bodies addressing occupational hazards.
Define biohazards and describe the chain of infection.
Define biosafety and biosecurity.
Describe the classification of microorganisms according to risk groups.
Discuss universal precautions, body substance isolation, and standard precautions.
Explain standard precautions and discuss biosafety levels.

Safety First

Safety equipment such as safety goggles, hair in ponytail, gloves, long-sleeved fastened coat, long pants, and enclosed shoes are essential.
Know the location of these safety items in the lab.

Occupational Safety and Health Act

This act aims to provide for the health and safety of workers at work and in connection with work activities.
An advisory council for occupational health and safety is established.
The act outlines employer duties and ensures employee safety.
All incidents and accidents must be recorded, and the act is enforced by inspectors.

Health and Safety Compliance

Essential elements include first aid and firefighting training; OHS Act management training; health and safety representative training; induction training for new employees and contractors; and risk-related training.
Noise surveillance, safe guarding machinery, and ventilation/hazardous chemical surveys are key components.
Employees should be kept up to date through information boards and toolbox talks, with health and safety committee meetings arranged regularly.

Biosafety versus Biosecurity

Biosafety involves containment principles to prevent accidental exposure to biological agents.
Biosecurity involves protecting valuable biological materials to prevent unauthorized access, loss, theft, misuse, diversion, or intentional release.

Risk Group Classification of Biological Agents

Risk group 1 agents are unlikely to cause diseases in humans.
Risk group 2 agents may cause diseases in humans, but treatment/prevention is available.
Risk group 3 agents can cause serious diseases in humans, with available treatments/prevention.
Risk group 4 agents cause deadly diseases in humans, and no treatments/vaccines are available.

Biosafety Levels (BSL)

BSL-1 represents basic safety practices, with limited access and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
BSL-2 involves additional safety practices and requires using biosafety cabinets and appropriate PPE.
BSL-3 enhances safety precautions, emphasizing the use of HEPA filters and more specialized PPE.
BSL-4 emphasizes complete containment and use of specialized equipment and PPE for highly dangerous pathogens.

Chemical Spills

Contain the spill.
Leave the area.
Evoke/activate emergency procedures (eyewash shower and medical assistance).
Access Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDs).
Notify supervisor.

Ergonomic Hazards

Proper posture, chair height, and workstation layout are essential to prevent ergonomic hazards from workplace activities.

Fire Hazards

Understand the different classes of fires (A, B, C, D, K) and the appropriate fire extinguishers for each class.

Waste Disposal

Classify and correctly dispose of different types of waste (biological, chemical, radioactive, sharps) using designated containers and specified procedures.

Hierarchy of Controls - Most Effective to Least Effective

Elimination (remove the hazard completely)
Substitution (find a safer alternative)
Engineering controls (safety features in a product)
Administrative controls (safety rules/procedures)
PPE (personal protective equipment)

Safety Practices in the Laboratory

Know the location of safety equipment (fire extinguishers, eyewash stations, first-aid kits)
Follow instructions and safety procedures.
Dress appropriately (lab coats, safety glasses, gloves).
Avoid experimenting on yourself or others.
Don't taste or sniff chemicals. Dispose of waste correctly.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE includes gloves, gowns, face shields, and respirators/masks, used to protect healthcare workers during patient interaction and procedures, using proper donning and doffing procedures.

Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette

Educate personnel to control respiratory secretions and prevent droplet/fomites transmission.

Transmission-Based Precautions

Additional controls including masks/respirators for airborne diseases, hand hygiene for contact, and droplets/spatial separation of patients.

Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals

This system provides standardized, globally recognized methods for classifying and labeling chemicals.

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Description

This quiz covers essential topics related to Universal Precautions and OSHA standards for occupational exposure. It includes questions about materials needed for compliance, the significance of N95 masks, and proper procedures for handling bloodborne pathogens. Test your knowledge on safety protocols in clinical and work environments.