Safety inClinical Laboratory Sciences

Clinical laboratory professionals analyze blood, body fluids, tissues and cells to determine the presence or absence of disease

They are highly skilled in the use of the latest in biomedical techniques and instrumentation

Clinical laboratory professionals are vital members of the health care team

Clinical Laboratory Professional…

Prepare red blood cells, platelets, plasma for safe transfusion

Use techniques to detect antibodies to Strep Infections, Lyme Disease, Infectious Mono, and many other diseases

And Many other work ……..

You Need to Perform You Need to Perform Safely in Safety Safely in Safety

EnvironmentEnvironment

◦ The chemical reagentsThe chemical reagents that are use can be dangerous if not used properly

Caustic / corrosive

◦ Patient specimens Patient specimens must be handled with caution due to the possibility of infectious agents

HIV, Hepatitis B and C, meningitis, antibiotic resistant pathogens, etc

Lab Hazards

Laboratory safety is the key to reducing injury reducing injury and illnessillness.

There are many exposures in the laboratory that pose a hazard to your health and you may have never considered never considered them as a hazardhazard before.

It is important to have proper training proper training so you, are awareaware of the potential dangers that may threaten your health or life.

Laboratory SafetyLaboratory Safety

Why does it matter?Why does it matter?

Safe working protects:◦You◦Other lab workers◦Cleaners◦Visitors◦Your work

Protecting yourselfProtecting yourself WearWear the clothing and protective wear

identified in your risk assessment Laboratory coats must be kept fastened.fastened. Don’t wear sandals or open shoes Long hair must be tied back Wear cloves when handling samples and

reagent.◦ Remove your gloves before using instruments,

telephone, and leaving the laboratory

Laboratory hygieneLaboratory hygiene Never eatNever eat, drink or smoke

in a laboratory Never apply cosmeticsNever apply cosmetics Never touchNever touch your face,

mouth or eyes Never suck pens Never suck pens or chew

pencils Always wash your hands wash your hands

before you leave and especially before eating

Personnel Safety Personnel Safety PracticesPractices Always wash your handswash your hands thourougly before leaving the

laboratory Disinfect your workspaceDisinfect your workspace before starting work and when

finishing Read the labels of chemicals carefully Read procedures before performing them and visualize

hazardous steps Minimize use of sharp objects (needles, broken glass) and

know how to dispose of them Clean up spills and pick up any dropped items

immediately Label everything clearly Use a fume hood for chemicals and solvents that you can

smell, has known toxic properties, or is unfamiliar to you. Record everything in your lab notebook Always report accidents, however minor.

What are the general What are the general hazards in a laboratory?hazards in a laboratory? Fire Breakage of glassware Sharps Spillages Pressure equipment & gas

cylinders Extremes of heat & cold Chemical hazards Biological hazards Radiation

And many more!And many more!

Avoiding FiresAvoiding Fires Flammable substances

◦ Use minimum quantityminimum quantity◦ Store in special storage special storage

cabinet.cabinet.◦ Use temperature-controlledtemperature-controlled

heating sources(eg water-bath rather than hot-

plate or Bunsen burner)

Minimise fire damageMinimise fire damage

Make sure corridor fire doors and laboratory doors are kept shut at all times

Fire SafetyFire Safety

Make sure that you know what to do:◦ If you have a fire◦ If you hear a fire alarm

If you are a member of staff you must attend fire training annually. Post graduates should also seriously consider doing so.

GlasswareGlassware Use correct techniques correct techniques for the

insertion of tubing onto glassware

Never use glassware underunder pressurepressure or vacuumvacuum unless it is designed for the job and suitably shielded

DisposeDispose of chipped or broken glassware – it is a risk to you and others

Always dispose of broken glass in a glass bin glass bin or sharps bin sharps bin and not in a general waste bin

SpillagesSpillages Clear upClear up spillage promptly DisposeDispose of any hazardous

material as toxic waste

Messy workers are usually poor Messy workers are usually poor workers!!workers!!

ActivityActivity

What are the Spillages can be occurred in the lab, and how we clean up these spillages?

CryogenicsCryogenics Liquid gasses are extremely

cold and can cause burnsburns

Liquid gases evaporate and many can cause asphyxiationasphyxiation

If you need to take cryogens in a lift, there are special special procedures procedures to follow – speak to your supervisor or a senior member of technical staff

You must have special training special training to use them

Electrical EquipmentElectrical Equipment Always do a visual checkvisual check on

electrical equipment before use, looking for obvious wear or defects

All portable electrical equipment must have a current “PAT test” “PAT test” sticker

NEVERNEVER use defective equipment

General TidinessGeneral Tidiness Keep your workplace tidyworkplace tidy

Clear up waste, deal with washing up and put things away as you finish with them

Make sure everything is safe before you leave things unattended

A tidy laboratory avoids accidents to everyone

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Laboratory EquipmentLaboratory Equipment

NeveNever use any laboratory equipment unless you are trained & have been authorised to do so

As well as injuring yourself you may cause very costly very costly damage

First AidFirst Aid All laboratory workers should undergo simple

first aid training

◦ For ALL ALL chemical splashes, wash with plenty of water for 10 minutes

◦ Control bleeding with direct pressure, avoiding any foreign bodies such as glass

Report all accidents to your teaher or Report all accidents to your teaher or departmental safety officerdepartmental safety officer

Protecting your healthProtecting your health If you have an allergy

to lab materials or suffer from a medical condition which may affect you in the laboratory (eg diabetes or epilepsy), ensure that your supervisor knows

Waste MaterialsWaste Materials Part of your risk assessment will be to determine

how to dispose of waste lab materials safely

◦ Solvents and oils must be segregated into the correct waste bottle or drum

◦ Your teacher will help you determine what to do with chemical or biological materials

Do not put materials down the drain or in with normal waste unless authorised to do so.

When in doubt – ASK!!!When in doubt – ASK!!! Do not carry out a

new or unfamiliar procedure until you have been fully trained & understand the precautions necessary for safe working

DO NOT GUESS!!!!DO NOT GUESS!!!!