Lab Safety

Gianina D. Dacuya, RMT

Laboratory Safety

• Laboratory Safety and Regulation

• Laboratory Hazards
B.1. Biological B.4. Fire
B.2. Chemical B.5. Radiation
B.3. Electrical B.6. Others
• C. Laboratory Waste Management
Laboratory Safety
The practice of safety should be uppermost in
the minds of all persons working in the
laboratory

The Role of the Individual

Must always be responsible for his/her safety.
Must follow the rules and use equipment properly.
Ensure that the workplace is safe.

The Role of the Employer

Make sure that the employees have proper training,
support, equipment, workload, resources and
environment.
Ensure that the workplace is safe.
Structural Requirements:

Safety factors should considered in the design and

layout of the building:
Entrance and Exit Route
Blockage of Hallways and Doors
Location of Sprinklers and Fire Extinguishers
Storage of Flammable Materials
Ventilation System
Potential Hazards:
Electric Shock
Toxic Vapors
Compressed Gases
Flammable Liquids
Radioactive Material
Corrosive Substances
Mechanical Trauma
Poisons
Handling Biologic Materials
Occupational Safety and Health Act:

Public Law 91-596

Also known as the (OSHA), was enacted in 1970.
Goal: Provide all employees (clinical laboratory
personnel included) with a safe work environment.
Under this legislation, OSHA is authorized to conduct
on-site inspections
Occupational Safety and Health Act:

OSHA Standards:
Blood-Borne Pathogen Standard
Hazard Communication Standard
Formaldehyde Standard
Laboratory Standard
Respiratory Standard
Air Contaminants Standard
Personal Protective Equipment Standard
Occupational Safety and Health Act:

Blood-Borne Pathogen Standard:

Standard applies to all exposure to blood or other
potentially infectious materials in any
occupational setting.
Universal Precautions and Personal Protective
Equipment are foremost among these infection control
measures.
 Occupational Safety and Health Act:

Blood-Borne Pathogens:
The standard also provides fairly detailed direction for
decontamination and the safe handling of
potentially infectious laboratory supplies and
equipment, including practices for managing laundry and
infectious wastes.
Employee information and training are covered regarding
recognition of hazards and risk of infection.
Occupational Safety and Health Act:

Hazard Communication Standard: “HazCom Standard”

It defines hazardous substances and provides
guidance for evaluating and communicating identified
hazards.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and Employee
Education.
The MSDS is a major source of safety information for
employees who may use hazardous materials in their
occupations.
MSDS: (1) Physical and Chemical Characteristics
(2) Fire and Explosion Potential
(3) Reactivity Potential
(4) Health Hazards and Emergency First Aid
(5) Methods for Safe Handling and Disposal
SUMMARY OF LABORATORY SAFETY AND
REGULATION
 LABORATORY HAZARDS

Biological
Sharp
Chemical
Radiation
Electrical
Fire
Physical
Other Hazards
 Biological Hazards
Source: Infectious Agent
Injury: Bacterial, Fungal, Viral & Parasitic Infection
Chain of Infection: Source, Host, Transmission
Transmission: Direct Contact, Inhalation, Ingestion,
etc.
Prevention: Hand Washing & PPE
Universal Precaution Modification
Body Substance Isolation or BSI
Standard Precaution
Biological Hazards
Universal Precaution:

The Universal Precautions concept is basically an

approach to infection control that presumes that all
human blood, tissue, and most fluids are
treated as if known to be infectious.
 Biological Hazards
Universal Precaution Modification:
Body Substance Isolation (BSI)
• BSI guidelines are not limited to blood-borne
pathogens; they consider all body fluids and
moist body substances to be potentially
infectious.
• According to BSI guidelines, personnel should wear
gloves at all times when encountering moist body
substances.
 Biological Hazards
Universal Precaution Modification:
 Standard Precaution
In 1996, the CDC combined the major features of UP
and BSI guidelines and called the new guidelines
Standard Precautions. The principles most certainly
can also be applied to handling patient specimens in
the laboratory

Standard Precautions are as follows:

(Handwashing, Personal Protective Equipment, Patient
Care Equipment, Environmental Control, Occupational
Health and Blood-Borne Pathogens and Patient
Placement).
 Biological Hazards
Biological Spill

Spills any biological fluid or other potentially infectious material

spill must be cleaned. Cleanup includes the following
recommendations:

(1) Wear protective equipment.

(2) Use mechanical devices to pick up broken glass or other sharp
objects.
(3) Absorb the spill with paper towels, gauze pads, or tissue.
(4) Clean the spill site using a common aqueous detergent.
(5) Disinfect the spill site using approved disinfectant or 10%
bleach,
using appropriate contact time (20 minutes).
(6) Rinse the spill site with water.
(7) Dispose of all materials in appropriate biohazard containers
 Biological Hazards

ALL BIOLOGICAL WASTES must be placed in appropriate

containers labeled with the biohazard symbol.
Sinks should be disinfected DAILY using 1:5 or 1:10 dilution
of SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE
Hypochlorites are the most widely used of the chlorine
disinfectants.
 Biological Hazards
 HOW TO PREPARE?

 SHELF-LIFE OF SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE

Biosafety Level
 Sharp Hazards

Sharp Objects in the laboratory (Needles, Lancets,

and Broken Glassware) for the transmission of
blood-borne pathogens.
All sharp objects must be disposed in Puncture-
Resistant Containers.
Puncture-Resistant Containers should be
conveniently located within the work area.
 Chemical Hazards
Chemical Handling
(a) Chemicals should never be mixed together unless
specific instructions are followed.
(b) Acid should always be added to water to
avoid the possibility of sudden splashing caused by
the rapid generation of heat.
(c) Wearing PPE (Goggles, Gloves, Gown, etc.,) and
preparing reagents under a fume hood are
recommended safety precautions.
(d) Chemicals should be used from containers that
are of an easily manageable size and prepare in the
fume hood.
(e) Pipetting by mouth is unacceptable in the
laboratory.
(f) State and federal regulations are in place for the
disposal of chemicals and should be consulted.
Chemical Hazards
 Chemical Hazards
Chemical Labelling
 (a) Flammable/Combustible
Most hazardous materials in the Clinical Chemistry
laboratory because of possible fire or explosion.
Classified according to flash point.
Flammable Liquid (F.P. below 37.8°C (100°F))
Combustible Liquids (F.P. above 37.8°C (100°F))
Commonly used Flammable and Combustible solvents are
acetone, benzene, ethanol, heptane, isopropanol, methanol,
toluene, and xylene. Flammable Chemicals also include
certain gases, such as hydrogen, and solids, such as
paraffin.
 Chemical Hazards
Chemical Labelling
 (b) Corrosive Chemicals
Corrosive chemicals are injurious to the skin or eyes by
direct contact or to the tissue of the respiratory and
gastrointestinal tracts if inhaled or ingested.
Typical examples include acids (acetic, sulfuric, nitric, and
hydrochloric) and bases (ammonium hydroxide, potassium
hydroxide, and NaOH).
 Chemical Hazards
Chemical Labelling
(c) Reactive Chemicals
Substances that, under certain conditions, can
spontaneously explode or ignite or that evolve heat or
flammable or explosive gases.
Some strong acids or bases react with water to generate
heat (exothermic reactions).
The mixture of oxidizing agents, such as peroxides, and
reducing agents, such as hydrogen, generate heat and may
be explosive.
 Chemical Hazards
Chemical Labelling
(d) Carcinogenic Chemicals
Carcinogens are substances that have been determined to
be cancer-causing agents.
Benzidine is a common example of a known carcinogen.
For regulatory (OSHA) and institutional safety requirements,
the laboratory must maintain an accurate inventory of
carcinogens
 Chemical Hazards
Chemical spill
(1) When skin contact occurs, the best first aid is to flush the
area with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes
and then seek medical attention.
(2) All laboratory personnel should know the location and
proper use of emergency showers and eye wash stations.

(3) Contaminated clothing should be removed as soon as

possible.
(4) No attempt should be made to neutralize chemicals
that come in contact with the skin.
(5) Chemical spill kits containing protective apparel,
nonreactive absorbent material, and bags for disposal of
contaminated materials should be available for cleaning up
spills.
 Radiation Hazards
Radioactivity is encountered in the clinical
laboratory when procedures using radioisotopes
are performed.
Safety Policy should include Environmental and
Personnel Protection.
 Radiation Hazards

All areas where radioactive materials are used or

stored must be posted with caution signs, and
should be restricted to essential personnel only.
PNRI: Philippine Nuclear Research Institute
Radiation Hazards
 Electrical Hazards
Most Common Hazard encounter in the Laboratory.
Hazards of electrical energy can be: Direct Hazard and
result in death, shock, or burns. Indirect Hazards can result
in fire or explosion.
Precautionary Procedures to follow when working around
Electrical Equipment:
1. Use only explosion-proof equipment in hazardous
atmospheres.
2. Be particularly careful when operating high-voltage
equipment.
3. Use only properly grounded equipment (three-prong
plug).
4. Check for frayed electrical cords.
What to do in case of fire? R.A.C.E.
 R.A.C.E. stands for:

R- Rescue

A- Alarm

C- Contain

E- Extinguish
What to do in case of fire? R.A.C.E.
 R.A.C.E. stands for:
Rescue anyone in immediate
danger

Activate the institutional fire

alarm system

Close all doors and potentially

affected areas

Attempt to extinguish the fire, if

possible
Fire Hazards
 Fire Hazards

REMEMBER:

 WATER (A)
 DRY CHEMICALS (ABC)
 CARBON DIOXIDE (BC)
 HALON (BC)
 Physical Hazards
Physical hazards are not unique to the laboratory,
and routine precautions observed outside the
workplace apply.
General precautions to consider are:
1. To avoid running in rooms and hallways
2. Watch for wet floors
3. Bend the knees when lifting heavy objects
4. Keep long hair pulled back
5. Avoid dangling jewelry and maintain a clean,
organized work area
6. Closed-toe shoes that provide maximum support
are essential for safety and comfort
Summary of Safety Hazards
 OTHER LABORATORY HAZARDS
Compressed Gases Hazards
Compressed gases, which serve a number of functions in
the laboratory, present a unique combination of hazards in
the clinical laboratory: danger of fire, explosion,
asphyxiation, or mechanical injuries.

Cryogenic Materials Hazards

Liquid nitrogen is probably one of the most widely used
cryogenic fluids (liquefied gases) in the laboratory. There
are, however, several hazards associated with the use of
any cryogenic material: fire or explosion, asphyxiation,
pressure buildup, embrittlement of materials, and tissue
damage similar to that of thermal burns.
OTHER LABORATORY HAZARDS
Laboratory Waste Management
The safe handling and disposal of chemicals and other
materials require a thorough knowledge of their properties
and hazards.
Generators of hazardous wastes have a moral and legal
responsibility, as defined in applicable local, state, and
federal regulations, to protect both the individual and the
environment when disposing of waste.

• There are Four Basic Waste-disposal Techniques:

1. Flushing Down the drain to the Sewer System
2. Incineration
3. Landfill Burial
4. Recycling
 Laboratory Waste Management
Types of Laboratory Waste:

Biodegradable Waste (Green Plastic Bag)– Originates from plant

or animal sources, which may be broken down by other living
organisms.

Non-Biodegradable Waste (Black Plastic Bag) – A type of waste

which cannot be broken down by other living organisms.

Hazardous Waste (Yellow Plastic Bag) – A type of waste that

pose potential threat to human health or the environment when
improperly treated, stored, transported and disposed.
 Laboratory Waste Management
Special Waste:

Any solid waste that is not regulated as hazardous

but requires special handling and disposal to
protect human health and environment
They are regulated with specific guidelines, these includes:
1. Biological Medical Waste
2. Petroleum Products – Oil
3. Light Ballasts
4. Asbestos
5. Lead Acid & Nickel/ Cadmium Batteries
6. Radioactive
 Laboratory Waste Management
Biohazardous Waste: Medical Waste

MEDICAL WASTE. A special waste from health care facilities

and is further defined as solid waste that, if improperly
treated or handled, “may transmit infectious diseases.

MEDICAL WASTE example: Animal Waste, Bulk Blood and

Blood Products, Microbiologic Waste, Pathologic Waste, and
Sharps.

Approved Methods for Treatment and Disposition of Medical

Waste: Incineration, Steam Sterilization, Burial, Thermal
Inactivation, Chemical Disinfection, or Encapsulation in a Solid
Matrix.
LABORATORY WASTE MANAGEMENT
(REFERENCE: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH)
Chemical Waste
Chemical Waste In some cases:
1. Permissible to flush water-soluble
substances down the drain with copious
quantities of water.
2. Strong Acids or Bases should be
neutralized before disposal.
3. Foul-smelling chemicals should never be
disposed of down the drain. Develop
potential toxicity.
4. Solvents such as Xylene and Acetone may
be filtered for reuse.
 Chemical Waste
Chemical Waste In some cases:
5. Flammable material also can be burned in
specially designed incinerators with after burners
and scrubbers to remove toxic products of
combustion.

6. Hazardous substances that are explosive (e.g.,

peroxides) and carcinogens should be transformed
to less hazardous forms whenever feasible.

7. Solid chemical wastes that are unsuitable for

incineration must be buried in a landfill.
 Radioactive Waste

If the half life of the radioactive waste is

< 90 days:
a. Decay in Storage
b. Dispose in trash or in sink

If the half life of the radioactive waste is

> 90 days:
a. Contact Licensed Disposal Company
END!