4: LABORATORY SAFETY AND WASTE MANAGEMENT Flashcards
- The condition of being protected from danger or risk.
- State of being free from injury.
SAFETY
- Something that can cause harm, loss, or danger.
- Has the potential to cause harm
- Agent that causes the risk
HAZARD
- A situation which is exposed to harm, danger or loss.
- Chance or probability that something could be harmed by the hazard
RISK
- pertains to any biological material, such as microorganisms, plants, animals, or their byproducts, that threatens the health of living organisms, most especially humans and animals.
- E.g.
Human blood, blood products
Pathological waste
Sharps waste
Microbiological waste - Sources:
Bacteria
Virus
Parasites
Fungi
Prions
BIOLOGICAL HAZARD
Proteins that can cause disease in humans by triggering normal healthy proteins in the brain to fold abnormally
Prions
through mouth
Ingestion
act of implanting a pathogen or microbe into a person
Inoculation
sense of touch/skin-to-skin contamination, open wounds
Tactile contamination
Usually coming from inoculating loops
o Loop stick
Lab spills on counters
Centrifugation of infected ()
- Aerosolized infectious materials
- Tissues, organs, mucous secretions, saliva, semen, vaginal, urethral, cavity fluids, exudates, wounds, amniotic fluid, and any materials acquired from the body shall be considered
HAZARDOUS
- _________________________, for hand-washing must be available in the workplace.
Soaps and clean wipes
- Protective equipment may include ___________________…
respirators, gloves, masks, protective garments or suits, safety shoes, lab gowns, eye wears, hoods and isolation chambers.
- Guidelines for safe handling of body fluids and human tissues for all patients
- Provided by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- For medtechs and laboratories
UNIVERSAL PRECAUTION (1980S)
- All chemicals in the laboratory should always be presumed as hazardous
CHEMICAL HAZARD
published the Hazard Communication Standards and Chemical Hygiene Plan
Must also indicate its hazards
Carcinogen – cancer causing chemical
- OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
Employers must maintain __________________________________ in English
This is for laboratory chemicals
Compiled in a separate clearbook/folder
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
- Can be divided into four important classes designated as classes A, B, C, and D
FIRE HAZARD
- Organic chemicals
Butane
Acetone
- PASS
Pull
Aim
Squeeze
Sweep
- Combustible metals
Magnesium
Titanium
Aluminum
- Sources of radiation
radioactive isotopes
x-rays
ultraviolet sources
RADIATION HAZARDS
- Inadequate wiring and improper insulation of equipment.
ELECTRICAL HAZARDS
- These hazards are associated with structural or mechanical defects as slippery floors, projections that cause cuts and bruises like nails, inadequate lighting, machinery with unprotected moving parts, etc.
PHYSICAL/MECHANICAL HAZARDS
- Include metals, as well as almost anything with a “sharp” edge that may cause punctures and/or cuts on unsuitable containers
- Needles, blades, scalpels etc. fall under this category.
SHARPS CONTAINER
- Infectious waste
- Used to dispose of clinical waste like swabs, dressings, tissues, soiled gloves, aprons, pads and nappies.
YELLOW PLASTIC BAG
- Used to collect anatomical waste including human body fluids like semen, saliva, tissues, organs and animal carcasses.
- Only biohazard waste like blood contaminated objects and pathological waste go to the red bag.
RED PLASTIC BAG
- Plastics, wrappers, papers, etc.
- Anything that is non-infectious
BLACK PLASTIC BAG
