Safety 2.0 Flashcards
What are standard safety protocols commonly established in histology departments?
- Practice standard precautions
- Wear gloves, disposable aprons/gowns, and facemask/goggles/face shield
- Wash hands frequently
- Disinfect all instruments
- Minimize chemical contact
What are some possible hazards in histology?
- Infection
- Needle-stick injuries
- Cuts
- Carcinogenic agents
- Flammable chemicals
- Allergenic agents
- Physical hazards
What types of hazards are categorized under biological/infectious hazards in histology?
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB)
- HIV, HBV, HCV
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)
- Infectious aerosols
- Infectious wastes
What is the incubation period for tuberculosis (TB) exposure?
1 to 3 months from exposure.
What disinfectants are effective against tuberculosis?
- 5% Phenol
- Glutaraldehyde
- Iodine (high concentration)
- Formaldehyde
- 1% Bleach
True or False: HIV is destroyed within several hours outside the host.
True.
What is required for individuals with continuous exposure to patients and/or blood with respect to Hepatitis B?
Hep B vaccine is a requirement for employment.
What is the incubation period for Hepatitis B (HBV)?
24 – 180 days (average being 2-3 months).
What are the two forms of pathogenicity for HBV?
- Symptomatic
- Asymptomatic
What are prions, and how are they related to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)?
Prions are abnormal proteins that cause diseases like CJD, which affects nervous tissue.
What is the most frequently encountered laboratory-associated infection?
Hepatitis B (HBV).
How can infectious aerosols increase exposure to pathogens?
Sprays can create aerosols that may increase exposure risks.
What are the four classifications of infectious waste?
- Pathologic material specimens
- Blood
- Microbiological or culture specimens
- Sharp objects
What hazards fall under mechanical hazards in histology?
- Knife blades
- Razors
- Scalpels
- Needles
- Glass
What is the purpose of a sharps container?
To safely dispose of sharp objects like needles, blades, and glass.
What are the types of chemical hazards mentioned?
- Physical (flammable, explosive, oxidizers)
- Health (carcinogens, sensitizers, toxins, corrosives, irritants)
What is the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for formaldehyde?
0.75 ppm.
What does STEL stand for, and what does it measure?
Short-term exposure limit; measures the highest permissible TWA exposure for any 15-minute period.
What should happen if initial monitoring demonstrates a TWA greater than the action level for formaldehyde?
Monitoring must be repeated every 6 months.
Fill in the blank: The incubation period for HIV can range from _______ to greater than 7 years.
6 months.
What is the action level TWA for monitoring chemical exposure?
0.5 ppm
TWA stands for Time-Weighted Average, which measures exposure over a set period.
When must monitoring be repeated if exposure limits are at or above the STEL?
At least once per year under ‘Worst case conditions’
STEL stands for Short-Term Exposure Limit.
What conditions allow an employer to discontinue monitoring?
Results below STEL and action levels on two consecutive samplings collected at least 7 days apart
This indicates that the exposure may not be significant.
What must be in place for employees exposed to formaldehyde?
A medical surveillance program
This is crucial for monitoring health effects related to exposure.
What types of hazards are classified under health hazards?
- Biohazards
- Irritants
- Corrosive chemicals
- Sensitizers
- Carcinogens
Define irritants in terms of health hazards.
Agents causing reversible inflammatory effects at the site of contact
This includes effects on skin, eyes, and respiratory passages.
What types of damage can corrosive chemicals cause?
- Damage to metals
- Irreversible damage to skin and eyes
- Severe damage to respiratory and alimentary tracts
What are sensitizers?
Substances that cause substantial allergic reactions
True sensitizers can lead to life-long sensitization.
List examples of carcinogenic histology chemicals.
- Chloroform
- Chromic acid
- Formaldehyde
What are examples of flammable substances?
- Hydrocarbons
- Alcohols
- Flammable liquids
What is a combustible material?
Materials with a flash point at or above a specified temperature
Combustibles are generally safer than flammables.
What is the primary hazard of oxidizers?
They can initiate or promote combustion in other materials
Oxidizers are safe alone but dangerous in contact with suitable substances.
What are insidious chemical hazards?
Hazards that develop gradually and subtly but can be harmful
Examples include ethers and mercury.
What must chemical containers have?
Appropriate labels
This includes both manufacturer and in-house labels.
What does WHMIS stand for?
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
WHMIS 2015 includes labeling, employer and employee responsibilities.
What is the definition of ‘toxic dose’?
The lowest dose of a substance that can result in any toxic effect in humans by means other than inhalation.
What is the LD50?
Calculated dose expected to cause death in 50% of an experimental animal population by exposure by any route except inhalation.
What are the effects of formaldehyde exposure?
Irritation of mucous membranes and eyes, cancer risk, chronic exposure can cause pneumonia, bronchitis
Formaldehyde is highly toxic and a known carcinogen.
What is potassium dichromate classified as?
Highly toxic, carcinogenic, corrosive to skin and mucous membranes
Prolonged exposure can lead to severe health issues.
What must be done in the event of a hazardous chemical spill?
Evacuate area, wear PPE, treat materials as hazardous waste
Employees must be trained on spill procedures.
How should flammable liquids be stored?
In approved containers, max 10 gallons outside storage cabinet
Follow guidelines for safe storage to prevent fire hazards.
What is the flash point?
The lowest temperature at which sufficient vapors are produced to ignite with air near the liquid’s surface.
What are the four classes of fire?
- Class A: Ordinary combustibles
- Class B: Flammable liquids and gases
- Class C: Electrical fires
- Class D: Combustible metals
What does the NFPA rating system indicate?
Hazard severity, ranging from 0 (minimal hazard) to 4 (severe hazard)
It also includes color codes for different hazards.
What color represents health hazards in the NFPA system?
Blue
The numerical rating indicates the level of health hazard.
What does a red NFPA rating of 4 indicate?
Extremely flammable and will readily disperse through air under standard conditions.
What should be done with hazardous chemical waste?
Must not be disposed of down the drain
Proper disposal methods must be followed for safety.
