lab safety

04/22/2023 Dr. Kalinga Ginige 1

Lab SafetyDr. Kalinga Ginige


1. Organization

Develop a system to introduce the Organization and to Document laboratory Identity and structure, overall Scope of the Quality Management System, and to identify the Processes, Sub Processes, Functional Responsibility and Hierarchical Authority for Accountability

General Guidelines for Safety

Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times in the laboratory

• Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully.

• Do not eat food, drink beverages, or chew gum in the laboratory. glassware as containers for food or beverages.

• practical jokes and pranks are dangerous and prohibited.

• Always work in a well-ventilated area.• Observe good housekeeping practices. Work

areas should be kept clean and tidy at all times.


2. Personnel

To establish Responsibilities of laboratory director or designee and assign Job descriptions that define duties for all personnel and the qualifications needed, organizational plan, personnel policies, Records of relevant Educational and Professional Qualifications, Trainings and Experience, and conduct the Training Need Analysis to preparer the organizational Training Plan to ensure the sustainability of the Quality Management System.

General Guidelines for Safety


• Be alert and notify the authorized person immediately of any unsafe conditions you observe.

• Dispose of all chemical waste properly. Never mix chemicals in sink drains. Sinks are to be used only for water.

• Labels and equipment instructions must be read carefully before use. Set up and use the equipment as directed by your management.

• Keep hands away from face, eyes, mouth, and body while using chemicals or lab equipment. wash your hands with soap and water after performing all.


3. Equipment

Preparation of Equipment Policy, important consideration when Selecting Equipment, Vendors Selecting Criteria, Equipment Operational Process, Maintenance and Calibration process, establishment of a program that regularly monitor and demonstrate proper Calibration of the entire Analytical System consisting of the Equipment, the Consumables, the Calibration material and the QC and QA program, complete with Documentation and Maintenance of Records.

General Guidelines for Safety - clothing

Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times in the laboratory• Contact lenses may be not be worn in the laboratory.• Dress properly during a laboratory activity. Long hair,

dangling jewelry, and loose or baggy clothing are a hazard in the laboratory. Long hair must be tied back, and dangling jewelry and baggy clothing must be secured.

• A lab coat or smock should be worn during laboratory testing.


4. Purchasing and Inventory

General Guidelines for Safety - Accidents and Injuries


• Report any accident (spill, breakage, etc.) or injury (cut, burn, etc.) to the authorized person immediately, no matter how trivial it seems. Do not panic.

• If a chemical should splash in your eye(s) or on your skin, immediately flush with running water for at least 20 minutes. Immediately (and loudly) yell out to get the someone’s attention.

Development of Supply chain management, inventory and disposal

policy establishing vendor selection criteria


5. Process Control

Establish a Process Control and Validation policy for Pre analytical, Analytical and Post analytical Processes and Specimen Management and Referral system and Issuing of Reports.

General Guidelines for Safety - Handling Chemicals


• All chemicals in the laboratory are to be Considered dangerous. Avoid handling chemicals with fingers. Do not taste, or smell any chemicals.

• Check the label on all chemical bottles twice before removing any of the contents. take only as much chemical as you need.

• Never return unused chemicals to their original container.


6. Documents and Records

Establishing the Document and record policy for Document creation, identifying, labeling, revision, and approval Process

General Guidelines for Safety - Handling Glassware


• Never handle broken glass with your bare hands. Use a brush and dustpan to clean up broken glass. place broken glass in the designated glass disposal container.

• Examine glassware before each use. Never Use chipped, cracked, or dirty glassware.

• Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water. the glassware may shatter.


7. Information Management

Establishing policies for protecting and managing the confidentiality, privacy security and accessibility of information stored.


8. Investigations of Non conformities

Establishing Policies for Occurrence management and guidelines

for maintaining of corrective and preventive action procedure

General Guidelines for Safety - Handling Substances


• Heated glassware remain very hot for a long time. They should be set aside in a designated place to cool, and picked up with caution. Use tongs or heat protective gloves if necessary.

• Never look into a container that is being heated.


9. The use of quality indicators and Internal audit

Developing the Assessment Policy, Designing of quality indicator and measurement procedure

General Guidelines for Safety - Equipment Safety


• It is essential to have adequate knowledge of the various types of equipment used including operation, maintenance and initial trouble shooting. New, modified, or repaired equipment shall be checked for safe operation before being placed into service.

• The choice of location for an item of equipment should consider also its environmental implications (noise, fume/ vapor generation etc.).

• Establish and maintain preventive maintenance schedules as per manufacturers’ recommendations.

• Decontaminate all equipment appropriately prior to servicing.


10. Process Improvement

Establishing process improvement policy for Process mapping and identifying opportunities for improvement

General Guidelines for Safety - Electrical Safety


• It is essential to have adequate knowledge of electrical safety as it applies to the various types of equipment used during operation, New, modified, or repaired equipment shall be checked for safe operation before being placed into service.

• Ensure that hands and work surfaces are dry before touching electrical equipment or connecting cords.

• Ensure there are a sufficient amount of electrical outlets to avoid multi plug adaptor use.


11. Service and Satisfaction

Establishing a system to identify ways to use customer service feedback to improve quality based on customer satisfaction on service levels.

General Guidelines for Safety - Evacuation Plan


• In the event of a fire, training schedule, or other internal disaster staff must be familiar with evacuation procedures and duties of designated personnel. Assistance for non ambulatory Personnel, patients and visitors are included.

• The information of a properly prepared Evacuation Plan will help the occupants in utilizing life safety features in the building to ensure an or dearly evacuation at the time of an emergency.


12. Facilities and Safety

Establishing Facilities and Safety policy regarding laboratory design, criteria for adequate space and safety of all sample, collection and examination site, space allocation and control access to selected area and Guidelines for proper handling and disposal of bio hazardous material

General Guidelines for Safety - Medical Emergency


• All injuries / incidents / accidents however slight must be reported immediately to your Supervisor Using the Laboratory’s ‘Employee Incident Report’ form.

• An incident or accident is any personal injury, illness or condition sustained by an employee as a result of work-related trauma, inhalation or contamination.

• Timely reporting of a work-related injury/incident/accident is necessary.