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
X
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!!!!