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Laboratory Safety and Regulations

Lab. Safety

Laboratory safety is not usually thought of as a quality assurance activity, but the quality of the working environment has both direct and indirect influences on the quality of work produced.

A safe working environment provides a sense of security to the employee who does not need to spend his time worrying about possible accidents of hazards.

An unsafe working environment, old and faulty equipment, and unprotected chemical and biological hazards can affect detrimentally the concentration and attitude of the employees exposed to these conditions.

Lab. Safety

These factors can also create circumstances in which serious injury, damage, and significant error can occur.

Such conditions are the reflection of ignorance and / or an uncaring attitude by the laboratory management, neither of which is an attitude that promotes high quality performance

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Electrical Toxic vapors Compressed gasses Flammable liquids Radioactive materials ( not too common these days ) Corrosives Mechanical Poisons Biological

Always take time to be knowledgeable about laboratory safety concerns and practice

proper safety procedures

Lab. Hazards

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It’s essential to know the location and proper use of all safety equipment

It’s essential to know and have access to all printed information about safety policies and reagents

Remember … Always take time to be safe

Reduce Lab. Risks

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Good personal behavior & habits such as:

professional conduct and appearance, frequent hand washing, no eating, smoking, drinking, or application of makeup, etc. in lab. Should also make yourself aware of emergency

procedures / location and proper use of emergency equipment and fire escape route.

Your personal appearance does reflect your concern for safety.

Reduce Lab. Risks

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Good housekeeping – Laboratory cleanliness, properly labeled

containers, immediate appropriate

cleanup of any spills, warning signs of

potential danger posted, etc.

Reduce Lab. Risks

Good laboratory technique – carefully read all instructions and labels, do not operate equipment until you are instructed

and authorized to do so, always respect the power of acids, bases and

corrosive chemicals. Know the carcinogens listed in safety manual. Protect yourself with PPEs and

use proper eyewear protection

devices. Never recap needles, etc.

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Reduce Lab. Risks

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Safety responsibility – shared responsibility

Employer Provide and supervise safety methods, equipment and

policies

Employee Understand and practice established safety procedures Notify supervisors of unsafe conditions

Safety is everyone’s responsibility !!!

Safety Awareness

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Safety showers Eyewash stations Fire blankets Fire extinguishers Spill kits First aid kits Fume hoods Biosafety hoods Chemical storage cabinets PPEs ( Personal Protective Equipment )

Safety glasses, gloves, lab coats, masks

Safety Equipments

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Biological Safety

Standard Precautions ( Universal Precautions ) All biological specimens must be considered potentially infectious

Always use required PPEs (personal protection equipment) when handling biohazardous material

Cap specimens that are being centrifuged

Mouth pipeting is NEVER permitted under any circumstances

Spills must be cleaned using proper technique

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Biological Safety

Cleaning Specimen Collection Areas and Biological Spills

Wear gloves. Use 1:10 bleach solution or commercially prepared

solution. First clean area with visible blood and then disinfect

the entire area. Keep the bleach in contact with contaminated area

for at least 20 minutes. Provide accident follow-up.

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Chemical Safety

Storage and handling of Chemicals Different storage/handling requirements

chemicals based on their differing characteristics: Flammable/Combustible - classified among the most

dangerous in the lab. Corrosives – cause injury to eyes/skin, respiratory tract if

contact is made Reactive – under certain circumstances may react

violently - require special knowledge to prevent their contact with reaction causing substances.

Carcinogenic chemicals- been determined to cause cancer. Benzidine is often used as example of lab chemical now classified as carcinogen

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Labeling

Diamond shaped, color coded NFPA ( National Fire Protection Act ) labels are required to identify the nature of hazardous material …

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Everything must be labeled !!!

Hazardous material must include all necessary safety information

Labeling

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The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) labeling system for hazardous chemicals

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Accident Documentation And Investigation

All accidents must be immediately reported to a supervisor (AFTER first aid )

Accident Investigation forms must be completed by the employee and employer