Unit 3 LABORATORY SAFETY INFECTION CONTRO, QC_1.0.docx

 1  Patient and personal safety should always be a priority 1.1,1.3.1,1.3.21.3.3,1, 3.3.8 3.4,1.3.5,2.2.2 2  1. **Types of Hazards to be aware of in a laboratory** 1. Identify and categorize various types of hazards pre...

 1  Patient and personal safety should always be a priority 1.1,1.3.1,1.3.21.3.3,1, 3.3.8 3.4,1.3.5,2.2.2 2  1. **Types of Hazards to be aware of in a laboratory** 1. Identify and categorize various types of hazards present in laboratory environments, including chemical, biological, physical, ergonomic and psychosocial hazards. 2. **Describe lab safety rules.** 2. Describe the basic set of lab safety rules to maintaining a secure work environment. 3. **Describe some of the safety equipment and how to use them safety** 3. Provide detailed descriptions of essential safety equipment such as safety showers, eyewash stations, fire extinguishers, and emergency exits, along with instructions on  4. **Describe personnel protective equipment and how and when to use them** 4. Describe the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) and provide guidance on selecting, wearing, and disposing of PPE correctly. 5. **Define disinfection and antiseptics** 5. Define disinfection and antiseptics, including their respective mechanisms of action, and offer examples of commonly used disinfectants and antiseptics in laboratory settings.  6. **How to deal with broken tubes in the centrifuge.** 6. Describe the protocols for safely managing broken tubes in a centrifuge, including containment procedures, decontamination steps, and equipment maintenance. 7. **Describe the different types of fire extinguishers.** 7. Explain the different types of fire extinguishers available, their suitable applications for various types of fires (e.g., Class A, B, C, D). 8. **How to operate a fire extinguisher** 8. Provide step-by-step instructions on how to operate a fire extinguisher effectively in the event of a fire emergency, including proper stance, aiming, and discharge techniques.  9. **What to do in case of a fire** 9. Outline emergency procedures to follow in the event of a fire. Use RACE. 10. **Rules for oxygen safety** 10. Describe the protocols for safely handling and storing oxygen cylinders. 11. **Rules for electrical safety** 11. Define electrical safety rules and precautions, including guidelines for equipment inspection, grounding, and safe work practices to prevent electrical hazards.  12. **Rules for radiation safety** 12. Describe the basic radiation safety protocols, including guidelines for working with radioactive materials, handling radiation-emitting equipment, and implementing shielding measures. 13. **Rules for chemical safety** 13. Describe the guidelines for chemical safety, including procedures for handling, storing, labeling, and disposing of hazardous chemicals safely  14. **What is in a spill kit** 14. Detail the contents and usage of spill kits for containing and cleaning up chemical spills, including absorbent materials, personal protective equipment, and disposal procedures. 15. **What to do when there is a small chemical spill.** 15. Describe the step-by-step instructions for responding to small chemical spills, including containment, neutralization, and cleanup procedures 16. **What to do when there is a big chemical spill**. 16. Describe the step-by-step instructions for responding to small chemical spills, including containment, neutralization, cleanup procedures and notification procedures, and coordination with emergency responders.  17. **What to do when there is a biological spills** 17. Describe proper procedures for handling biological spills, including containment, disinfection, and waste disposal. 18. **What to do when there is a spill in Biological safety** 18. Describe the safety protocols for responding to spills within a biological safety cabinet, including containment, decontamination, and equipment maintenance procedures.   - Chemical Hazards -- eg. Flammable liquids, toxic gases etc. - Physical Hazards -- caused by physical aspects of the environment, eg. Radiation, noise, temperature ( cold or hot), mechanical. - Biological Hazards -- microorganisms that are capable of causing disease, eg HIV - Ergonomic Hazards -- elements related to the design of the workplace which stress the body physically or mentally - Psychosocial Hazards -- conditions of work that causes psychological stress to the worker, eg. Sexual harassment.     - 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 are to be disposed of according to the SDS sheets - Biological waste should be disposed of in a biohazard container and needles in a sharps container.  1. Make sure that the equipment is safe to use 2. Recognize and report any malfunctions 3. Perform preventative maintained 4. Maintain equipment logs 5. Store safely any reagents safely  - Safety hood -- a device that separates a lab employee from a specimen by a glass front. Fumes and aerosols are drawn through a HEPA filter( High Efficiency Particulate Air filter)& to the top of the hood - Safety showers & eye wash stations- 15 minutes is required after an accident and should be within a 10 sec walk ( 55 ft or 16.7 m) - Chemical spill kits -- include absorbents and neutralizers to clean up acid, alkali, mercury and other types of spills.  - Fire alarm - Emergency Blanket -- used to keep an injured person warm - Fire hose cabinet - Fire extinguisher - Gas shut off valve - SDS - Safety manual  -  A **Fume hood** is a type of local ventilation device that is designed to limit exposure to hazardous or toxic fumes, vapors or dusts. A fume hood is typically a large piece of equipment enclosing five sides of a work area, the bottom of which is most commonly located at a standing work height - Fume hoods typically protect only the user, and are most commonly used in laboratories where hazardous or noxious chemicals are released during testing, research, development or teaching.   - **Laminar flow cabinets** are configured to protect the work on the work surface. They do not protect the operator as the airflow pushes aerosols or particulates from the work surface toward the operator**.** - A **biological safety cabinet** biosafety cabinet (BSC) ---defined biosafety level. - The primary purpose of a BSC is to serve as the primary means to protect the laboratory worker and the surrounding environment from pathogens. - All exhaust air is HEPA-filtered as it exits the biosafety cabinet, removing harmful bacteria and viruses. This is the most critical part of the BSC, - Several different types of BSC exist, differentiated by the degree of biocontainment required. 1. Use an ergonomically designed chair. Make sure your feet touch the floor. If not use the chair's foot rings. 2. Adjust the stool height so that the underarms are level with the bottom of the sash 3. Arrange materials to limit reaching and twisting. 4. Perform the procedure as far to the rear as possible. 6. Working in a BSC, one person at a time 7. Avoid excessive movements of the hands and arms through the front opening 8. Keep a bottle of disinfectant inside while working 9. Keep clean items separate from dirty items 10. Have a waste container in the BSC 11. Upon completion of the work, allow enough time for the air to purge. 12. Close all containers 13. Disinfect the interior surface 14. Routinely remove the work surface and disinfect the tray beneath  31     34  - The first 10 to 15 seconds after exposure to a hazardous substance, especially a corrosive substance, are critical. Delaying treatment, even for a few seconds, may cause serious injury.   - Accidental chemical exposures can still occur even with good engineering controls and safety precautions. As a result, it is essential to look beyond the use of goggles, face shields, and procedures for using personal protective equipment. Emergency showers and eyewash stations are a necessary backup to minimize the effects of accident exposure to chemicals.   - Emergency showers and eyewash stations provide on-the-spot decontamination. They allow workers to flush away hazardous substances that can cause injury. - Emergency showers can also be used effectively in extinguishing clothing fires or for flushing contaminants off clothing. - They should be on the same floor level as the hazard - Should be free of obstacles - Should be installed no more than 10 sec walking distance ( 17 m or 55 ft) from the area with hazards - Identified with a highly visible sign - Furnished with inspection tags  39  - Gloves - Masks - Gown - Goggles - N95 Respirator [REMEMBER TO REMOVE GLOVES AND] [WASH YOUR HANDS] ========================================================================= 40  - In the lab, specimen collection areas are regularly decontaminated with 5-10% bleach solution or other strong disinfectant to render the areas free from pathogenic microorganisms. - Disinfectants are chemical compounds used to remove or kill pathogenic microorganisms. 41 - When adding water and acid together. - Acid can react strongly with the water in the exothermic reaction. This reaction means that it will release the heat. If the heat is high enough, it can possibly boil the water. If you do pour acid to water, the water will not splash. - **Remember** to add the acid slowly into the water. - Acid into water , dilutes the acid - Slowly reduces splashes. - If you forget remember A and W   - It does not matter if the chemical is a powder or liquid, remember do not take to chemical from the stock container. - Pour approximate want you need in a smaller container. Then measure the correct amount. - You do not what to contaminant the entire stock. - Make sure that you use the proper PPE and safety hood  - When you are pouring chemical liquids make sure that you use a funnel. - You what that liquid chemical to directly to the other container. - You do not want the chemical to splash or drip on to the counter or yourself. - Use proper PPE and safety hood  - Disinfectants are chemical compounds used to remove or kill pathogenic organisms. - In the lab, specimen collection areas are regularly decontaminated with 1:100 dilution bleach solution or other strong disinfectant to render the areas free from pathogenic microorganisms - If it is a spill 1:10 dilution  - Antiseptics are chemicals used to inhibit the growth of microorganism and are used to clean skin. E.g. 70% isopropyl alcohol - Antiseptics may be used on human skin, whereas disinfectants are generally used on surfaces and instruments because they are too corrosive for direct use on skin.  - Turn off centrifuge - Put on proper PPE - If the canisters are unsealed , waited 30 min. to allow aerosols to settle. - Slowly open up centrifuge ,remove all broken tubes and buckets - Remove the tubes that are intact. Wipe with 1:10 dilution of bleach, rinse and put in a rack to dry - Place the buckets, lid and contents in a container of bleach for 30 minutes under BSC - Put on gloves - Drain bleach from container - Empty remaining debris into a sharps container - Remove any floating debris from the bleach container and put in an biohazard container - The Bung might have to be replaced - Flush the canister, lid and rack with water - Wipe down the bowel of the centrifuge twice with disinfectant and rinse with water - Reassemble the centrifuge   - A multipurpose extinguisher is an ABC extinguisher -- used for all kinds of fires - Hold the extinguisher upright, pull the pin, and direct the spray at the base of the fire. - [P] -- Pull the pin - [A] -- aim - [S] -- squeeze the handle - [S] -- sweep the base of the fire - That it only takes 3 hours for a cigarette to burst into flames   - Fuel - Heat - Oxygen  - If you are with a patient, remove the patient from danger - Immediately find the nearest alarm box and pull the lever - Report the fire - If you can, attempt to extinguish the fire by using a fire extinguisher  - Use RACE  - Unplug any electrical equipment - Close all doors and windows - If evacuation is necessary do not use the elevators. Use the stairs - If clothing is on fire, stop, drop and roll. - If caught in a fire, crawl to the exit - **[DO NOT]:** panic, run, abandon patients, reenter the building or block entrances! - Keep combustibles away from heat producing devices - Do not allow devices that produce sparks in areas where O~2~ is in use - Store gas cylinders securely, away from patients and cap cylinders when not in use - Keep maintenance and storage areas clean and free from trash - Keep hallways and stairways clear - Be sure that the exit signs are always lighted and that emergency lighting is in working order - Keep safety showers and eyewash stations clear of clutter - Never prop open emergency doors - These doors not only let people in and out but also prevent fire from spreading  - Do not smoke in the room - Do not use electrical appliances - Do not use candles or open flames - Do not use oil, alcohol and talcum powder - Do not use Vaseline ( petroleum product) - Fabrics that can produce static electricity should be avoided - Ask for instruction if you have to touch any O~2~ equipment  - Follow all safety regulations - Never use equipment until you have been instructed as to the correct use - Do not use if electrical cord is damaged - Use only 3 prong plugs ( 3rd prong is for grounding) - Make sure your hands are dry - Unplug equipment before doing maintenance  - As a lab assistant you should be aware of the healthcare facility's radiation safety procedure. - Pregnant lab staff should avoid areas displaying the radiation symbol. - When working with radiation you must wear a badge that registers radiation exposure. - Best way to protect yourself is:   - Wear gloves - Read labels on chemical containers at least three times: 1. when you pick up the container, 2. before you pour the chemical, and 3. after you have poured the chemical - Do not use chemicals that do not have a label. - Use in well ventilated areas - Clean up spills immediately using a spill kit. (usually contains an absorbent material and a neutralizer) - If the skin or eyes come into contact with a chemical, immediately flush with water for 15 minutes. - Read the SDS sheet (safety data sheet). This is provided by the manufacturer and includes possible hazards, first aid treatment, and appropriate dilution and mixture concentration as well as indications and uses. - E.g. *Picric Acid is very explosive if dry. Wet down spills and absorb with Sodium bicarbonate. Carefully scoop into a glass container*  - Store chemical in a secure location - Minimize quantities - Keep away from direct sunlight or sources of heat - Store liquids below eye level - Maintain an inventory - Segregate chemical by reactivity class and flammability. - When necessary use safety cabinets     - A chemical-resistant container to hold the kit contents such as a 5-gallon plastic bucket or Rubbermaid™ container. - This is to hold the all the equipment needed to contain a chemical spill  - 2 pairs chemical splash goggles. - 2 pairs chemical-resistant gloves. - 2 pairs plastic, vinyl or rubber shoe covers. - 2 disposable lab coats, aprons, or coveralls.  - General neutralizing agents for acids and bases. - Chemical-specific neutralizers such as those for formaldehyde - Chemical-specific neutralizers such as those for solvents. (Xylene)  - Plastic scoop, dust pan, or shovel. Use plastic (polypropylene) when non-sparking tools are needed. - Plastic broom or brush for solids (polypropylene). - 3-5 thick, heavy duty waste bags. DO NOT use red biohazard waste bags for non- biohazard spill debris.  - Cardboard box to hold waste bag containing spill debris. - Sealing tape. - EHS hazardous waste labels. - Forceps or tongs for picking up broken glass or other sharps. - Detergent or general cleaner for final cleanup.    - There are 2 types of spills - small spills - big spills  - These are spills that you can clean up yourself or with the help of other staff members  1. Use proper PPE and look up information on the Safety Data Sheets 2. Control the spread of the liquid. Make a dike around the outside edges of the spill. Use absorbent materials such as vermiculite, cat litter, or spill pillows. 3. Neutralize acids and bases. Work from the outside in.  - The neutralized spill residue or the absorbent should be scooped, swept, or otherwise placed into a plastic bucket or other container. - Dispose of the wastes. Keep cleanup materials separate from normal trash. Promptly place cleanup wastes in an appropriate hazardous waste receptacle.  - These are spills that you can not clean up yourself or with the help of other staff members. - You need outside help  1. Evacuate immediate area. 2. Use the proper PPE 3. Establish barriers and post warning signs 3. Call a -- Code Brown 4. Look at the Safety Data Sheets and have it on hand , just in case other people what to look at it.  5. Wait in a safe area for the response team. Your knowledge of the area will assist the team. 6. Do not allow unauthorized personnel to enter the contaminated area. Until safe to do so    - **Definition of a biological spill** -- Biological spillage is where a bodily fluid (such as faeces, urine and blood etc.) has been spilt.  - 1) Put on gloves. - 2\) Cover an area twice the size of the spill with paper towels. - 3\) Prepare 1:10 dilution of bleach or other disinfectant solution - 4\) Soak paper towels with the bleach solution or other disinfectant solution - 5\) Apply bleach soaked paper towels to the spill area. - 6\) Allow a 30 minute contact period. - 7\) Wipe down any contaminated stationary equipment or furniture with disinfectant. - 8\) Use forceps, tongs, or broom to remove broken glass and other items; place in sharps container  - 9\) Remove towels and re-clean area with disinfectant solution. - 10\) Remove gloves - 11\) Wash your hands - Usually greater than 10 ml - **Steps:** 1. Inform others in the arena and move out of the room for 10 -- 30 minutes. This is to allow the aerosols to disperse and settle 2. Follow procedures for small spill  1. Leave fan on 2. Follow procedures for small spills 3. If the spilled material goes through the grills to the catch tray, pour disinfectant to dilute the spill 4. Let stand, drain the tray and clean tray