PRELIM LAB: LABORATORY SAFETY Flashcards
Also known as Public Law 91-596
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
Enacted by U.S. Congress in 1970
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
Goal: provide work employees with a safe working environment
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
Authorized to conduct on-site inspections to
determine whether an employer is xomplying
with the mandatory standards
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
OSHA standards that regulate safety in the laboratory:
○ Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
○ Formaldehyde Standard
○ Laboratory Standard
○ Hazard Communication Standard
○ Respiratory Protection Standard
○ Air Contaminants Standard
○ Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Standard
29 CFR 1910. 1030
Bloodborne Pathogens
Requires employers to safeguard employees
who have a reasonably anticipated occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials
Bloodborne Pathogens
Mandates development of exposure control plan
Bloodborne Pathogens
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. 1200
Hazard Communication
Subpart of OSHA’s Toxic and Hazardous Substances
Hazard Communication
Intended to ensure that the hazards of all
chemicals used in the workplace have been
evaluated
Hazard Communication
Hazard information is successfully
transmitted to employers and their
employees who use the substances
Safety Data Sheets
29 CFR 1910. 1450
Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in
Laboratories
Subpart of OSHA’s Toxic and Hazardous Substances
Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in
Laboratories
Intended to address the shortcomings of the
Hazard Communication Standard regarding its
application peculiar to the handling of
hazardous chemicals in laboratories
Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in
Laboratories
Other Regulations and Guidelines
- Clean Water Act
- The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
- Toxic Substances Control Act
Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories Requirements of the standard:
○ Appointment of a chemical hygiene
officer
○ Development of a chemical hygiene
plan
Formerly known as National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards
The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)
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
The Joint Commission (TJC)
Published the Accreditation Manual for
Pathology and Clinical Laboratory Services
○ Includes a detailed section on safety
requirements
The Joint Commission (TJC)
Publishes yearly accreditation manual for hospitals
The Joint Commission (TJC)
Required to also have spill kits and fire aid kits
Safety Equipment
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)
All laboratories are required to have safety
showers, eyewash stations, fire blankets, and fire extinguishers
Safety Equipment
Required to contain and expel noxious and
hazardous fumes from chemical reagents
Fume Hoods
is recommended to locate no
flow or turbulent areas in working space
Smoke testing
Filters air that circulates
Biosafety Cabinets (BSCs)
Removes particles that may be harmful to the
employee who is working with potentially
infectious biologic specimens
Biosafety Cabinets (BSCs)