SAFETY in the Clinical Laboratory

Psalm 24: 4-5

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

He will receive blessing from the Lordand righteousness from the God of His salvation.

OUTLINE

• Safety Hazards

• Sources of Hazards

• How to deal with hazards

SAFETY HAZARDSBiological

SharpChemical

RadioactiveElectrical

Fire/explosivePhysical

Biological HazardsSource• Specimen• Fomites• Patients

Possible infection• Bacterial• Fungal• Viral• parasitic

Chain of Infection

Host

TransmissionSource

Universal Precautions (UP)

All patients are considered to be possible carriers of bloodborne

pathogensIt excluded urine and other body fluids as potentially infectious.

By CDC and OSHA

Body Substance Isolation (BSI)

All body fluids and moist

body substances are

considered to be

potentially infectious.

Hand washing is NOT recommended after the removal of gloves.

Standard Precautions (SP)

Treat all biological

specimens as potentially

infectious.

SP

• Latex

• Powder free nitrile

• Cotton

• Lightweight cotton

• Cut-resistant

• Finger cots

• Heavy duty neoprene

• Polyethylene

• Rubber

SP

SP

• Spill control

• Spill clean-up

• Decontamination

SP

• Environmental

protection

• Waste disposal

What is the disinfectant of choice for

bloodborne pathogens?

SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE (1:10)

How are biological wastes disposed?

Incineration, autoclaving or pickup by

certified hazardous waste company

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Sharp hazards

Possible Injury

• Cuts, punctures

• Bloodborne pathogen exposure

Chemical Hazards

Source

• Preservatives

• Reagents

Possible Injury

• Exposure to

toxic,

carcinogenic, or

caustic agents

• Chemical spills

• Chemical handling

• Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP)

• Chemical labeling

• Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

Chemical Hazards

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Radioactive hazards

The degree of

radiation

exposure is

related to the

combination of

time, distance

and shielding.

Source

• Equipment

• Radioisotopes

Possible injury

• Radiation

exposure

Electrical Hazards

Sources

• Ungrounded or

wet equipment

• Frayed cords

Possible injury

• Burns

• shock

Fire hazards

Sources

• Bunsen burners

• Organic chemicals

(*flash point)

– Combustible

– Flammable

Possible injury

• Burns

• Dismemberment

ECAR

Using the fire extinguisher

• PULL...Pull the pin. (lock latch, pressing a puncture lever, or other motion)

• AIM...Aim low, pointing the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the fire.

• SQUEEZE...Squeeze the handle.

• SWEEP...Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire until it appears to be out. Watch the fire area in case fire breaks out again, and repeat use of the extinguisher if necessary.

Physical hazards

• Running

• Wet floors

• Proper body movements

• Long Hair

• Jewelry

• Working area

• Closed shoes