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Laboratory Safety
MUHAMMAD ASIF ZEBLecturer MLT (KMU)Master in health and professional education (MHPE in progress)M.Sc. HematologyB.Sc. MLTCertificate in health and professional education (CHPE)Certificate in health research (CHR)
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ResponsibilityWho is responsible for safety in laboratories
clinics and hospitals participating in clinical trials
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ResponsibilityEmployer
Establishes necessary policies Standard Operating procedures and
Safety Plan Engineering and work practice controls Personal protective equipment (PPE) Safety equipment such as fire
extinguishers and eye wash stations Training
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ResponsibilityEmployee Knows and understands safety policies and
procedures Follows safety policies and procedures Reports unsafe conditions to the Safety Officer or
Laboratory Director
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Responsibility
Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility!
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Components of a Safety Program
Fire safety
Chemical Safety
Bloodborne Pathogens
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Fire Safety
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Fire Safety The Fire Triangle
Chemical Reaction
Heat
Oxygen
Fuel
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Fire SafetyWhat should you do in case of a fire ?
Remember the acronym – RACE
Rescue – any people in dangerAlarm – activate the fire alarmContain – the fire by closing doors and windowsExtinguish – the fire if it is small enough
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Fire SafetyTypes of Fire Extinguishers
A – Combustibles (paper, trash, cloth) B – Flammable liquids C – Electrical Equipment D – Combustible metals (not Common)
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Fire Safety
How do you operate a fire extinguisher?
Remember PASS
Pull - the pin Aim – at the base of the Fire Squeeze - the handle Sweep - to cover the fire
Patient Safety Monitoring in International Laboratories (SMILE) Program
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Fire Safety Maintenance of Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers should be visually inspected on a monthly basis. The inspection should assure that Fire extinguishers are: In their assigned place Not blocked or hidden Pressure gauges show adequate
pressure Pins and seals are in place No signs of damage The nozzles are free of blockages
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Chemical Safety
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Chemical Safety
How Do Chemicals enter the body?
Inhalation – breathing in (e.g. powders, fumes) Absorption – on skin or mucus membranes Ingestion – entry through the mouth Injection - through skin by foreign body
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Chemical SafetyExamples of Chemical Hazards
Carcinogens – cancer Corrosives –burns Hepatotoxins –liver damage Mutagens-damage genetic materials in cells Nephrotoxins – Kidney damage Neurotoxins – damage to the nervous system Tertatogens – birth defects
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Chemical Safety
How can you obtain information about the Chemicals you use?
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Chemical Safety
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)The following Data Can be found on MSDS sheets……….Name of ChemicalPhysical Characteristics and hazardsHealth informationFirst Aid required if there is a spill or
exposureDate of most recent update
Patient Safety Monitoring in International Laboratories (SMILE) Program
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Chemical SafetyMSDS Sheets Continued………. Need to check for updates annually Highlight the name of the chemical and the first
aid section for easy access in an emergency Organize in alphabetical order Must be available to everyone all of the time The internet is also a good way to access MSDS
sheets Instrument manufacturers usually have MSDS
sheets available on their websites.
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Chemical Safety What should you do if there is a chemical spill?
RAFTRescueAvoid the ChemicalFind the MSDSTelephone
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Chemical SafetyChemical Exposures
First AIDFlush with plenty of water
For at least 15 minutes Remove contaminated clothing
Seek medical Attention Document incident
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Chemical SafetyLiquid Nitrogen
Characteristics of Liquid Nitrogen 78% of atmosphere Colorless, Odorless, Tasteless,
Nontoxic Boils at -196 Degrees C Non Flammable
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Chemical SafetyLiquid Nitrogen
When returning to the gaseous state:
Can displace oxygen from the air Can lead to asphyxiation
Will not support Life
Patient Safety Monitoring in International Laboratories (SMILE) Program
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Chemical Safety
Liquid Nitrogen – Precautions
Always wear safety equipmentAvoid use in a small enclosed areaAvoid prolonged breathing of vaporsAvoid rough handling of containersInstall O2 Monitors in LN work areas
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Chemical SafetyLiquid Nitrogen PPE
Full face shield with safety glasses Cryogenic gloves Arm protection Lab coat Cuff-less pants Close toed shoes
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Chemical SafetyLiquid Nitrogen Emergencies
Inhalation – Move person into the fresh air Eyes – Flush with water for 15 minutes Skin - soak affected area in tepid water Seek medical attention Document incident
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Chemical SafetyWhat’s Wrong with this picture?
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Chemical SafetyCarbon Dioxide – Dry Ice
Characteristics of Carbon Dioxide
Colorless, odorless, tasteless nontoxic Non flammable Can only be solid when the temperature is < -78oC
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Chemical SafetySolid Carbon Dioxide
Can displace oxygen from airCan lead to asphyxiationWill not support life
High concentrations cause rapid circulatory insufficiency
NauseaHeadacheVomitingUnconsciousness
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Chemical SafetySolid Carbon Dioxide – Dry Ice
Always wear safety equipmentAvoid use in a small enclosed areaAvoid prolonged breathing of vaporsVent Closed CO2 containers away from you
when opening
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Chemical Safety
Solid Carbon Dioxide – PPE
Full face shield with safety glassesCryogenic glovesLab coatClose toed shoes
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Chemical SafetySolid Carbon Dioxide – Emergencies
Inhalation – Move person into the fresh air Eyes – Flush with water for 15 minutes Skin - soak affected area in tepid waterSeek medical attention Document incident
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Chemical SafetyManaging Chemicals in the Laboratory
Storage Hazard Communication MSDS Updates Acids and Bases in separate approved
cabinets Spill kits available
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Chemical SafetyWhat’s Wrong with this picture?
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SAFETY – Waste Disposal
Tips for safe disposal of laboratory waste:
Place all sharps in approved sharps containers Use goggles or full face shields to protect mucus
membranes from splashes when disposing of liquid waste or specimen tubes.
Refer to MSDS sheets for information on the safe disposal of chemicals
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Bloodborne Pathogens
Bloodborne Pathogens
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Bloodborne Pathogens
What are bloodborne pathogens?Viruses, bacteria or other micro-organisms that are carried in the
bloodstream and are capable of causing disease.Other body fluids that can spread bloodborne pathogens include:
Blood products (plasma, platelets) Abdominal fluids Amniotic fluids Cerebrospinal fluids Vaginal secretions Semen
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Bloodborne Pathogens
Most Common Bloodborne Pathogens
Hepatitis BHepatitis C
HIV
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Bloodborne Pathogens
Standard Precautions
Standard Precautions replaces Universal Precautions – using Standard Precautions all
blood and body fluids are treated as infectious all of the time.
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Bloodborne Pathogens
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
GlovesSafety glasses/Goggles
Lab coats (should be fluid resistant)Face shields
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Bloodborne Pathogens
PPE Continued…….How much PPE should you use?
Wear as much or as little as you anticipate you will need to prevent blood and other infectious
materials from contact with your skin, mucus membranes and clothing.
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Blood borne Pathogens
General Safety RulesHandle sharps with care: Do not recap needles or other sharps Do not bend or break off needles Dispose of sharps in puncture resistant containersDO Not: Eat, drink, smoke, apply cosmetics, take medication in
areas where you are working with blood and other body fluids
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Bloodborne Pathogens
What should you do if there is a blood or body fluid exposure ?
Follow the post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) plan Wash puncture wounds with soap and water Flush affected mucus membranes with water Inform Safety Officer or administrative staff member Seek medical attention Complete an incident report form
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Bloodborne Pathogens
Hand Washing
A basic but very important method of reducing your risk of infection.
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Bloodborne Pathogens
Hand WashingWhat song should you sing while you are
washing your hands so that you know that you have washed for enough time?
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Laboratory Safety
Questions and Comments
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Laboratory Safety
References: 1.PPD (May, 2005) – PowerPoint Presentation, Presented at the
Washington DC GCLP Meeting. 2. WWW.safetylady.com