LABORATORY SAFETY Flashcards
Also known as Public Law 91-596
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
29 CFR 1910. 1030
-Requires employers to safeguard employees
who have a reasonably anticipated occupational
exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials
-Mandates development of exposure control plan
Bloodborne Pathogens
29 CFR 1910. 1200
-Subpart of OSHA’s Toxic and Hazardous
Substances
-Intended to ensure that the hazards of all
chemicals used in the workplace have been
evaluated
Hazard Communication
Assume all human blood, tissue, and
most fluids are handled as if known to
be infectious for the HIV, HBV, and other
bloodborne pathogens
Universal precautions
29 CFR 1910. 1450
-Subpart of OSHA’s Toxic and Hazardous
Substances
-Intended to address the shortcomings of the
Hazard Communication Standard regarding its
application peculiar to the handling of
hazardous chemicals in laboratories
- Requirements of the standard:
○ Appointment of a chemical hygiene
officer
○ Development of a chemical hygiene
plan
Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories
- Formerly known as National Committee for
Clinical Laboratory Standards - Provided excellent general laboratory safety and
infection control guidelines in their documents
GP17-A3 (Clinical Laboratory Safety; Approved
Guideline, 2e)
The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)
-Formerly known as the Jount Commission on
Accreditation of Health Care Organizations
-Publishes yearly accreditation manual for
hospitals
- Published the Accreditation Manual for
Pathology and Clinical Laboratory Services
○ Includes a detailed section on safety
requirements
The Joint Commission (TJC)
-Publishes an extensive inspection checklist
(Laboratory General Checklist) as part of their
Laboratory Accreditation Program
○ Includes section dedicated to laboratory
safety
College of American Pathologists (CAP)
-Required to contain and expel noxious and
hazardous fumes from chemical reagents
-Smoke testing is recommended to locate no flow or turbulent areas in working space
Fume Hoods
-Filters air that circulates
-Removes particles that may be harmful to the
employee who is working with potentially
infectious biologic specimens
Biosafety Cabinets (BSCs)
70% - recirculated to the
cabinet work area through HEPA 30% - exhausted
BSC II A1
In at front thru HEPA to
the outside or into the
room thru the HEPA
BSC Class I
30% - recirculated
70% - exhausted
Exhaust cabinet air passes thru a dedicated duct to the outside thru a HEPA filter
BSC II B1
No recirculation
Total exhaust to the
outside thru HEPA filter
BSC I, B2
TB exposure control program must be
established
Airborne Pathogens
Similar to II, A1 but has 100 lfm (linear feet/minute)
intake air velocity
Plenums are under
negative pressure to room
BSC II, A2
Each employer must have a written exposure
control plan
Bloodborne Pathogens
Labeled as infectious substances if the
pathogen can be readily transmitted to humans
or animals
Known or Suspect Infectious Specimens
Tested as routine screening or for initial
diagnosis
Diagnostic Specimens
-Published by OSHA as the new Hazard
Communication srandard
-States that employees must be informed of the
health risks associated with those chemicals in
the workplace
Right to Know Law
-Contains general information on reagent
-Replaced the existing Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS)
-Must provide the specific compound identity,
together with all common names
Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS)
- Among the ost hazardous materials
-Classified according to flash point - temperature
at which sufficient vapor is given off to form an
ignitable mixture with air
Flammable/Combustible Chemicals
– substances that are
cancer-causing agents
Carcinogens
Class A Fires type of
Extinguisher used
Pressurized water
Dry chemicals
Class B Fires type of extinguisher used
Dry chemical
Carbon dioxide
Class C Fires type of extinguisher used
Carbon dioxide
Halon
Dry chemicals
Class D Fires type of extinguisher used
Metal X
Ordinary combustible solid materials,
such as paper, wood, plastic, and fiber
Class A
Flammable liquids/gases and
combustible petroleum products
Class B
Energized electrical equipment
Class C
