Laboratory Safety Flashcards
Public Law 91-596
was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1970
Main goal: provide all employees with a safe work environment
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
-authorized to conduct on-site inspections to determine whether an employer is complying with the mandatory standards
Occupational safety and Health Administration
OSHA standards that regulate safety in the laboratory include the following:
Bloodborne Pathogen Standard
Formaldehyde Standard
Laboratory Standard
Hazard Communication Standard
Respiratory Standard
Air Contaminants Standard
Personal Protective Equipment Standard.
- applies to all exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials in any occupational setting
-Universal Precaution and PPE
-mandates the development of an exposure control plan
-decontamination and safe handling of specimen
-requirement for HBV vaccination
Bloodborne Pathogen Standard
-Toxic and Hazardous Substances regulations
-to ensure that the hazards of all chemicals used in the workplace have been
-evaluated and that this hazard information is successfully transmitted to employers and their employees
Hazard Communication Standard
Biological Hazards
Source
Host
Transmission
Hand washing Biohazardous waste disposal Decontamination Specimen bagging
Source
Standard precaution, Immunization, Healthy lifestyle, Exposure control plan, Post exposure prophylaxis
Host
Hand washing Personal protective equipment, Aerosol prevention, Sterile/disposable equipment, Pest control
Transmission
Universal precaution
-Instituted by CDC (1987)
-all patients are considered to be possible carriers of blood-borne pathogens
-recommends wearing gloves when collecting or handling blood and body fluids contaminated with blood
-wearing face shields when there is danger of blood splashing on mucous membranes
-disposing all needles and sharp objects in puncture-resistant containers.
-CDC excluded urine and body fluids not visibly contaminated by blood from UP, although many specimens can contain a considerable amount of blood before it becomes visible.
-The modification of UP for body substance isolation (BSI) helped to alleviate this concern.
-BSI guidelines are not limited to blood-borne pathogens; they consider all body fluids and moist body substances to be potentially infectious.
BSI guidelines
-personnel should wear gloves at all times when encountering moist body substances.
-A major disadvantage of BSI guidelines are that they do not recommend handwashing following removal of gloves unless visual contamination is present.
Standard Precautions
-Handwashing
-Gloves
-Mask, eye protection, and face shield
-Gown
-Patient care equipment
-Environmental control
-Linen
-Occupational health and blood-borne pathogens
-Patient placement
OSHA published the new Hazard Communication Standard
CHEMICAL SAFETY Hazard Communication (Right to Know Law)
To comply with the regulation, clinical laboratories must:
-Plan and implement a written hazard communication program
-Obtain material safety data sheets (MSDS)
-Educate all employees
-Maintain hazard warning labels on containers received or filled on site.
major source of safety information for employees who may use hazardous materials
Material Safety Data Sheet
Material Safety Data Sheet
-Hazardous ingredients
-Permissible exposure limit (PEL)
-Physical and chemical data
-Health hazard data and carcinogenic potential
-Primary routes of entry
-Fire and explosion hazards
-Reactivity data
-Spill and disposal procedures
-PPE recommendations
-Handling
-Emergency and first aid procedures
-Storage and transportation precautions
-Chemical manufacturer’s name, address, and telephone number
-Special information section
-to address the shortcomings of the Hazard Communication Standard
-requires the appointment of a chemical hygiene officer and the development of a chemical hygiene plan
OSHA Laboratory Standard
-Procedures describing how to protect employees against teratogens, carcinogens, and other toxic chemicals must be described in the plan.
-Must detail engineering controls, PPE, safe work practices, and administrative controls, including provisions for medical surveillance and consultation, when necessary
chemical hygiene plan
Other Organizations/Law Concerned with LAB SAFETY
-Clean Water Act
-Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
-Toxic Substances Control Act
-The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) provides excellent general and infection control guidelines in their documents
-The Joint Commission (TJC)
-College of American Pathologists (CAP)
-National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Health Hazard Blue Diamond
4- Deadly
3- Extreme Danger
2- Hazardous
1- Slightly Hazardous
0- Normal Material
Fire Hazard Red Diamond
Flash point
4- Below 73°F
3- Below 100°F
2- Above 100°F
not exceeding 200°F
1- Above 200°F
0- Will not burn
Specific Hazard White Diamond
ACID- acid
ALK- Alkali
COR- Corrosive
OXY- Oxidizer
☢- Radioactive
W- Use No Water
Reactivity Yellow Diamond
4- May Detonate
3- Shock and Heat may detonate
2- Violent Chemical Change
1- Unstable if Heated
0- Stable
Republic Act 9003
Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (Republic Act 9003) by DENR
food wastes, yard wastes, etc. (green)
Biodegradable waste
paper, plastic, Styrofoam, tin cans, bottles, etc. (red)
Non-biodegradable/Recyclable wastes
used/worn out rugs, ceramics, soiled plastics, candy wrappers, etc. (blue)
Non-recyclable/residual wastes
used fluorescent lamps/bulbs, batteries, spray canisters, etc. (black)
Special/Hazardous Wastes
SAFETY AWARENESS FOR CLINICAL LABORATORY PERSONNEL
Employer’s Responsibilities
-Establish laboratory work methods and safety policies.
-Provide supervision and guidance to employees.
-Provide safety information, training, personal protective equipment, and medical surveillance to employees.
-Provide and maintain equipment and laboratory facilities that are adequate for the tasks required.
-Know and comply with the established laboratory work safety methods.
-Have a positive attitude toward supervisors, coworkers, facilities, and safety training.
-Give prompt notification of unsafe conditions or practices to the immediate supervisor and ensure that unsafe conditions and practices are corrected.
-Engage in the conduct of safe work practices and use of personal protective equipment.
GENERAL LABORATORY SAFETY PRACTICES
-No smoking, eating, and application of cosmetics
-Proper use of PPE (should never be worn outside the laboratory)
-Shoes should be made of nonporous materials with closed toes and heels
-Hand washing should be done between each patient even if gloves are worn
-Needles and other sharps should be discarded into puncture-resistant and leak-proof containers (½ to ¾ full before disposal)
Safety Equipment
All laboratories are required to have
-safety showers, (recommended that safety showers deliver 30 to 50 gallons of water per minute at 20 to 50 psi)
-eyewash stations,
-fire extinguishers.
-fire blankets, spill kits, and first aid supplies.
This plan is required to describe the laboratory’s method of identifying and controlling physical and health hazard spresented by chemical manipulations, containment, and storage.
The OSHA Lab Standard
In 1996 the CDC combined the major features of UP and BSI guidelines and called the
new guidelines Standard Precautions
reminder:
These microorganisms are frequently present in the specimens received in the clinical laboratory. Understanding how microorganisms are transmitted (chain of infection) is essential to preventing infection.
Reminder:
The source is the location of potentially harmful microorganisms, such as a contaminated clinical specimen or an infected patient.
Chemical identity, concentration, hazard warning, special handling, storage conditions, date prepared, expiration date (if applicable), and preparer’s initials.
Proper label
The primary means of communication are through proper labeling, the development and use of material safety data sheets (MSDSs), and employee education.
HazCom Standard
Note: Safety is no longer only a moral obligation but also a federal law
note:
resulted in the drafting of guidelines and regulations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to prevent exposure.
Notes:
Ensure that reusable equipment is not used for the care of another patient until it has been cleaned and reprocessed appropriately. Ensure that single-use items are discarded properly
Notes:
use self-sheathing needles or a mechanical device to conceal the needle
15 seconds
Downward position
NCCLS
National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards
JCAHO
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations
They publishes a yearly accreditation manual for hospitals
TJC
inspection checklist as part of their laboratory accreditation Program
CAP
hazards-identification system (diamond-shaped, colorcoded symbol)
developed a standard hazards-identification
Note:
In addition, each quadrant shows the magnitude of severity, graded from a low of 0 to a high of 4, of the hazards within the posted area.
Notes:
to expel noxious and hazardous fumes from chemical reagents.
velocity at the face of the hood (with the sash in normal operating position) must be 100 to 120 feet per minute. Smoke testing is also recommended, personal air monitoring should be conducted
Notes:
4 levels of biosafety (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health)
is based on the operations performed, the routes of transmission of the infectious agents, and the laboratory function or activity.
The biosafety level of a laboratory
BIOLOGIC SAFETY General Considerations
Spills
-Wear appropriate protective equipment.
-Use mechanical devices to pick up broken glass or other sharp objects.
-Absorb the spill with paper towels, gauze pads, or tissue.
-Clean the spill site using a common aqueous detergent.
-Disinfect the spill site using approved disinfectant or 10% bleach, using appropriate contact time.
-Rinse the spill site with water.
-Dispose of all materials in appropriate biohazard containers.
lab SAFETY General Considerations
Concentrated Acid/Base Spills
-Should be diluted with water before cleanup is attempted
-Cover the spill with neutralizer
=Sodium bicarbonate- acids
=Boric acid- bases
-Absorb spill using an absorbent
-Surface should be covered with soap and water
note: Must be cleaned up
CHEMICAL HAZARDS
Flammable/Combustible Chemicals
-Flash point, which is the temperature at which sufficient vapor is given off to form –an ignitable mixture with air
-Acetone, Benzene, Ethanol, Heptane, Isopropanol, Methanol, Toluene, xylene.
-Certain gases, such as hydrogen, and solids, such as paraffin
CHEMICAL HAZARDS
Categories of Chemicals
Corrosive - chemicals with a pH of <2 or > 12.5
Toxic Substances - poisons, irritants and asphyxiants
Carcinogens - capable of causing cancers
Mutagens and Teratogens - capable of causing chromosomal aberrations and congenital malformations
Ignitable - flammable and combustible
Reactive - explosives and oxidizers
-injurious to the skin or eyes by direct contact
-Injurious to the tissue of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts if inhaled or —ingested.
-Acids (acetic, sulfuric, nitric, and hydrochloric)
-Bases (ammonium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and sodium hydroxide)
Corrosive Chemicals
-With molecular structures of high reactivity
-Oxidizers with high oxygen content or compounds with redox groups
-substances that, under certain conditions, can spontaneously explode or ignite or that evolve heat or flammable or explosive gases
-Some strong acids or bases react with water to generate heat (exothermic reactions)
-mixture of oxidizing agents, such as peroxides, and reducing agents, such as hydrogen, generate heat and may be explosive.
Reactive Chemicals
CHEMICAL HAZARDS
OSHA Regulated Carcinogenic Chemicals
*Chloromethyl methyl ether- vinyl chloride
*N-Nitroso dimethylamine
*Benz[a] pyrene
*4-Aminobiphenyl
*Benzidine
*1-Naphthylamine
*2-Naphthylamine
*4-Nitrobiphenyl
*Benzene
*Ethylenimine
*P- Dimethyl aminobenzene
*Β-Propiolactone
*Bis Chloromethyl ether
Effects:
damage to DNA leading to mutation, cancer or cell death
Ionizing Radiation
Four Types of Ionizing Radiation
-Alpha Particles (e.g. Plutonium)
-Beta Particles
-Electromagnetic Radiation (gamma rays and x-rays)
-Neutron
-Large and can travel only a very short range in air
-May be stopped by skin or paper
-Cause tissue damage if inhaled or ingested
Alpha Particles
-Smaller and they are negatively charged electron
-With limited penetrating power
-Cause tissue damage if inhaled or ingested
-Emitted by 3H, 14C, 32P
Beta Particles
Arise from spontaneous fission of some isotopes and produced by atomic reactors and accelerators
Neutrons
Composed of electromagnetic energy and not composed of atomic particles
Gamma rays and X-rays
-No mass or charge but with great penetrating ability
-Produce significant internal and external hazard if in high concentration
-Produced by 125I and 131I
Gamma rays
Differ from gamma rays only in the origin of radiation
X-rays
license is required if the total amount of radioactive material exceeds a certain level.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
must be worn when handling radioactive chemicals
Film badge or dosimeter
Exposure limits to toxic chemical in the workplace
Threshold limit values
Threshold limit values
-Time-Weighted Average (TLV-TWA)
-Short-Term Exposure Limit (TLV-STEL)
-Ceiling Value Form (TLV-C)
represents the maximum allowable exposure over an 8-hour work day
Time-Weighted Average (TLV-TWA)
represents the maximum amount of allowable exposure for a short period such as 15 minutes
Short-Term Exposure Limit (TLV-STEL)
represents the concentration of an agent that must never be exceeded
Ceiling Value Form (TLV-C)
STORAGE OF CHEMICALS
-Stored in an uncluttered area (properly ventilated)
-Away from heat source
-Should not be stored above eye levels
-Inorganics should be stored separately from organics (EXCEPT NITRIC ACID)
-Flammables should be stored in an approved flammable safety cabinet
-Water reactive chemicals should be stored in a dry environment (no automatic s-sprinkler system)c
FIRE SAFETY
The Chemistry of Fire
all the elements essential for fire to begin are present—fuel, heat or ignition source, and oxygen (air)
ordinary combustible solid materials, such as paper, wood, plastic, and fabric
Classification of Fire
Class A
flammable liquids/gases and combustible petroleum products
Classification of Fires
Class B
energized electrical equipment
Classification of Fires
Class C
combustible/reactive metals, such as magnesium, sodium, and potassium
Classification of Fires
Class D
PASS Operation
P- Pull pin
A- Aim Nozzle
S- Squeeze Trigger
S- Sweep Nozzle
TYPE OF EXTINGUISHER
CLASS A
A- Pressurized Water
ABC- Dry Chemical
TYPE OF EXTINGUISHER
CLASS B
ABC- Dry Chemical
BC- Carbon dioxide
TYPE OF EXTINGUISHER
CLASS C
BC- Carbon dioxide
HALON- Halon
ABC- Dry Chemical
TYPE OF EXTINGUISHER
CLASS D
Metal X
Fires involve combustible cooking media such as oils and grease commonly found in commercial kitchens
CLASS K
Electrical Hazards
Use only explosion-proof equipment in hazardous atmospheres.
Be particularly careful when operating high-voltage equipment, such as electrophoresis apparatus.
Use only properly grounded equipment (three-pronged plug).
Check for frayed electrical cords.
Promptly report any malfunctions or equipment.
Do not work on “live” electrical equipment
Equipment should be checked annually for current leakage and ground integrity
Lab Safety Rules
- Always follow the teacher’s directions and only do lab work when a teacher is present.
- Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times.
- Do not touch any equipment, chemicals, or other materials until told to do so.
- Do not eat food, drink beverages, or chew gum in the lab. Do not use lab glassware as food or beverage containers
- Report ALL accidents to your teacher immediately, even if you think it is minor.
