Safety in Clinical Chemistry Laboratory

Safety in Clinical Chemistry Laboratory

• Safety in clinical chemistry labs is crucial for everyone, including lab workers, cleaners, visitors, and the workers themselves.
• Safe laboratory practices are the responsibility of all who enter the lab.
• All lab staff should value safety.

Chemical Safety

• Chemical safety awareness is paramount in clinical labs.
• Knowledge of chemicals, their hazards, and proper handling is vital to minimize injury in the event of accidental exposure.
• Standard operating procedures (SOPs) are needed.
• Maintain an inventory of all chemicals.
• Use SDSs (Safety Data Sheets)
• Label and store chemicals properly.
• Keep an inventory of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Engineering controls are also necessary.
• Establish procedures for waste removal and disposal, along with any requirements for employee physical or medical consultations.
• Training requirements are essential.

General Guidelines

• Be familiar with pictograms and hazard codes used to indicate chemical risks.
• Key codes and their meanings are presented (see detailed list in the pictograms on page 4)
• All storage containers need labeling.
• Quantitites of highly flammable liquids (e.g., methanol, chloroform), over 1 liter, should be kept in metal cabinets.
• Avoid keeping large chemical inventories.
• Never use a mouth pipette; use bulb pipettes instead
• Empty chemical containers should be cleaned, rinsed, and dried thoroughly before discarding.

Operating Procedures

• Develop specific procedures for the proper disposal of chemical spills or accidents in labs.
• Chemical splashes in the eye must be immediately flushed with copious amounts of water.
• Limit the amount of flammable materials used.
• The flammability of solvents is determined by flammability classifications.
• Store large amounts of volatile solvents in safety cabinets.
• Safety cabinets should be properly vented, and self-closing doors are recommended.

Storage and Chemical Inventory

• Only keep the amount of chemicals needed
• Obtain chemicals in plastic containers if possible
• Rotate chemical inventory and note expiration dates.
• Discard chemicals if not used within a year, especially peroxide-forming compounds.
• Label all secondary containers.
• If possible, position corrosive, flammable, and reactive chemicals below eye level.

Chemical Waste

• Laboratories are considered waste generators according to RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) regulations, and require permits for proper waste disposal.
• Hazardous, corrosive, or flammable materials should not be poured down drains.
• Organic solvents with boiling points under 50°C, hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, nitro compounds, mercaptan, Freon, azides, peroxides, and concentrated acids and bases are examples of prohibited waste disposal. Appropriate procedures must be in place.

Biological Hazards

• Lab personnel must be aware of potential exposure to infectious agents such as HBV and HIV.
• Centrifuge accidents, needle punctures, spilling infectious materials, cuts/scratches from contaminated glassware, and removing stoppers from blood tubes are examples of potential hazards.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• PPE includes specialized clothing or equipment worn by employees to protect against lab hazards.
• PPE includes, but is not limited to gloves, eyewear, lab coats, and footwear

Fire Safety

• Labs should have the means to extinguish small fires, contain fires, and extinguish clothing that catches fire.
• Fire safety training programs (including practices, demonstrations, and knowledge) are recommended.

Electrical Safety

• Working with electricity can be dangerous.
• Lab technologists work with electricity, both directly and indirectly.
• Electrical safety precautions are essential.

Laboratory Hoods (Ventilation)/Biosafety Cabinets

• Laboratory hoods (or fume hoods) are used to exhaust unwanted fumes from chemical reagents.

Safety Manual

• A written safety manual should be made available to all lab staff.
• The manual should outline policies, procedures, and job responsibilities for each lab member.

Training

• Ongoing training for lab staff in safety-related activities is essential.
• New employee orientations and continuing education for laboratory staff should be conducted in adherence with local, state, and federal regulations.

This quiz focuses on the essential safety practices in clinical chemistry laboratories. It covers topics such as chemical safety awareness, proper handling of hazardous materials, and the importance of following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Assess your understanding of safety protocols critical to maintaining a secure laboratory environment.