Laboratory Safety PDF

10/23/2024 Laboratory Safety 1 Introduction Laboratory safety is the key to reducing injury and illness. There are many exposures in the laboratory that pose a hazard to your health and you may have never considered them as a hazard before. It is important...

10/23/2024 Laboratory Safety 1 Introduction Laboratory safety is the key to reducing injury and illness. There are many exposures in the laboratory that pose a hazard to your health and you may have never considered them as a hazard before. It is important to have proper training so you, as the employee, are aware of the potential dangers that may threaten your health or life. 2 1  10/23/2024 Introduction As you go through this course, you will have a better understanding regarding the concept of safety and how safety is utilized in every aspect of your life. The University has an obligation to protect each student, assistant, faculty and staff. Lets take a look at the different agencies that are involved! 3 Agency Information Several agencies are involved in safety compliance. The following agencies impact our laboratories as far as safety is involved. National Institute of Health (NIH) In charge of laboratories that use or contain recombinant DNA. They specify the practices for constructing and handling the rDNA. 4 2  10/23/2024 Agency Information Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) In charge of laboratories that use or contain infectious agents. They are focused on protecting personnel and the laboratory environmental from exposure to infectious agents. They are also aiming at preventative measures by adhering to strict containment. 5 Agency Information Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) OSHA primarily monitors Hazardous Materials, Hazard Communication, Bloodborne Pathogens, and Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories. OSHA is in charge of monitoring work conditions and eliminating physical and health hazards at the work place. 6 3  10/23/2024 Agency Information Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) The EPA laboratories, the wastes that ISU generates and stores. Many hazardous wastes are used in research laboratories and they pose a threat to humans, animals, plants, and the environment. There are also biohazardous wastes that are regulated and must be properly decontaminated and disposed of. 7 Agency Information Environmental Health & Safety Office (EHS) The EHS office plays a large role in overseeing the various activities that take place on campus. They interpret laws and regulations, and maintain up- to-date records of current health and safety standards. The duties range from fire safety and laboratory safety to training and emergency response. 8 4  10/23/2024 Why course? Training is by far the most important aspect of safety. Training not only reduces illness/injury but also increases worker efficiency and awareness. Training is required by regulation and ISU has high regard for fulfilling this commitment. Preventing hazards and increasing awareness is the goal for the EHS office. 9 Introduction to the Laboratory 10 5  10/23/2024 Let’s Get Started! Working in a laboratory can be an exciting experience. It can also pose many threats and hazards that a traditional classroom does not. That is why it is important to know your surroundings. Know where the exits to your room are. There may be more than one exit which could be critical in the case of an emergency. Your supervisor will go over the emergency action plan including the escape route procedures for your room. 11 Know Your Surroundings It is also recommended to be aware of the fire extinguishers in location to your laboratory. In order to fight a fire one must undergo the proper training. Campus personnel are highly encouraged to not fight fires. In the event of a fire, the first response is to evacuate the area and notify the fire department! Any campus phone will initially direct calls to the ISU Police Dept. and from there the fire dept. will be dispatched. From any campus phone just dial 180. Do not wait any longer than necessary to call, time is of essence! 12 6  10/23/2024 Know Your Surroundings Know where the fire alarm is in proximity to your laboratory. Is it right down the hall or is it in the stairwell? If there is a fire, a quick response is the best response. Have your supervisor show you the closest alarm. The fire safety training will detail the safety procedures for your lab. Training 13 Know Your Surroundings Many laboratories contain hazardous substances. A hazardous substance is defined as a material/substance that poses a physical or health hazard. This includes both chemicals and biological agents. A Biohazard is defined as any organism that is capable of replication and is capable of causing disease in human, animal or plant. There are differences between a physical hazard and a health hazard. Let’s take a look. 14 7  10/23/2024 Know Your Surroundings A health hazard has the following characteristics: Carcinogen Toxic or highly toxic Reproductive Toxins Irritants Corrosives Sensitizers Hepatotoxins Nephrotoxins Neurotoxins 15 Know Your Surroundings A physical hazard has the following characteristics: Explosive Flammable Oxidizer Pyrophoric Organic peroxide Compressed gas Combustible liquid Unstable (Reactive) Water-reactive 16 8  10/23/2024 Know Your Surroundings When physical hazards and health hazards exist, it is very important to know where the eye wash/safety shower is located. Unexpected accidents do occur and knowing where to go at the time of an emergency can reduce injury/illness. 17 Know Your Surroundings First aid kits have a variety of quick relief items. If your lab has a first aid kit, find out where it is. If more than first aid is needed, it is recommended to go to Student Health Services for further treatment. In an event that would require more than first aid to be treated, report it to the EHS office within the next 24 hours. 18 9  10/23/2024 Know Your Surroundings When there are chemical, biological, or radioactive agents being used, an emergency spill kit should be available. If there is a spill kit in your lab, find its location. Further Spill information will be addressed later in this presentation. 19 Know Your Surroundings Each laboratory has a telephone in a designated area for use. The emergency contact numbers are posted near the phone in every laboratory on ISU campus. 20 10  10/23/2024 Know What Hazards are Present 21 Hazards in your Lab Each lab is faced with different hazards. There could be exposure to biological, chemical, or radioactive material, which may pose a variety of physical and/or health hazards. This course will be primarily focusing on biological hazards and some chemical hazards. Let’s look at these hazards a little closer. 22 11  10/23/2024 Hazards in your Lab A biological hazard includes an organism or material of biological origin that could potentially cause harm to humans, animals, or plants. An infectious agent is an organism capable of producing infection or disease in human, animal or plant. Recombinant DNA (rDNA) is defined as molecules that are constructed outside living cells by joining natural or synthetic DNA segments to DNA molecules that can replicate in a living cell or molecules that result from the replication of those described above. 23 Hazards in your Lab Infectious agents pose a threat because these agents can cause illness or death to both people and animals. Special precautions must be taken to reduce the potential release of these agents. Each laboratory that is using an infectious agent must perform an additional lab specific training. This is to communicate the hazards of the agent that is specific to your laboratory. Training 24 12  10/23/2024 Hazards in your Lab Infectious agents fall under CDC guidelines. Depending on the organism you are working with or exposed to will depend on the proper safety precautions to take. These are designated at different Biosafety Levels (BSL). The more pathogenic the agent, the more stringent the safety precautions are. 25 Hazards in your Lab The lab that works with infectious agents, depending on the Biosafety Level (BSL), will vary in accordance to the safety equipment that is used, the facility (lab) design, the equipment that is used, and the practices that must be followed. 26 13  10/23/2024 Hazards in your Lab Biosafety levels will be discussed in detail by your supervisor during the Lab Specific Training. Training 27 Hazards in your Lab rDNA can also poses a threat to human and animal health. Depending on the molecules that are being manipulated, the hazards will vary. rDNA can be manipulated using cultures, animals, plants, and also humans. The risk will depend on several factors including the organism and the media being used. The containment levels will depend on the organisms that carry the recombinant DNA. 28 14