Hazards in the

Laboratory
Hazard: exposure to unsafe conditions in the laboratory
and potential for harm.
Biohazard: exposure to infectious micro-organisms in
the laboratory.
 List the five laboratory hazards
 Fire
 Electrical
 Physical
 Chemical
Explosive
Corrosive
Irritant
Harmful
Toxic
Flammable
Oxidising

 Microbiological
Sources for five types of hazards
Fire: flammable chemicals, paper or wood
A potential hazard in any environment
Electrical: electrical shock or burns.
Instruments and equipment that use electrical power
can be a source of shock and fire hazards, especially
with careless operation.
Physical: burns from fires, trauma from laceration,
explosion, crushing or punctures , mechanical injury
from improper lifting techniques. It is important to take
care when lifting boxes or heavy instruments to use the
two-handed method and to lift using the legs rather
than the back. Lacerations are common laboratory
injuries caused by accidents involving glassware,
scalpels and scissors.
 Sources of five types of hazards
Chemical: inhalation of irritant chemicals or toxic
chemicals harm the lungs, corrosive chemicals harm skin
and, eyes, flammable and oxidizing chemicals can cause
burns, explosive can cause burns or trauma.
The use of harmful chemicals in the laboratory can cause
serious injury if safe handling practices are not used.
Exposure without protective gear can cause serious damage.
Microbiological: in specimens and cultures through
biohazard ingestion, puncture.
These hazards are found in microbiology areas of the
laboratory and when handling specimens and cultures.
Following standard operating procedures will help to
minimize risk of microbiological hazards. Taking care with
sharps handling and disposal and waste disposal is
important.
Control/Safety Measures for
Common Laboratory
Hazards
Control /safety measures
Label of chemical properly
Prohibit mouth pippeting
Provide safety goggles or full-face respirators
Electrical equipment should be grounded
Provide information regarding master switch
Uninterrupted source of power should be provided
Provide hand washing
Adequate sterilization before washing or disposing waste
Provide safety hoods
Control /safety measures
Ensure tissues are handled and disposed properly
Provide mechanical pippeting devices
Provide disposable containers for needle and lancets
Eating, drinking or smoking is prohibited in the
laboratory
Mouth pipetting is prohibited. Use mechanical pipette
that provide suction.
Food or drinks should not be stored in the refrigerators
used for clinical or research specimens
Wear new disposable gloves when handling blood and
body fluids and do not touch telephones, pens, lockers,
etc. with gloves on.
Always cover them end of the blood collection tubes with
a cloth or gauze and point away from anyone’s face when
opening;
Control /safety measures
Wear protective face shields or masks and goggles if
splashes of blood, body fluids or infectious material
are likely to happen.
Wear a laboratory coat while in the laboratory and
remove it when leaving to go to areas such as offices,
libraries, canteens, etc.
Do not open centrifuges while still in motion
Decontaminate work surface areas daily or when
contaminated such as after spills with 10% bleach
solution.
Label specimens clearly with names or other identifier
dates, time of collection and type of specimens and
the site of collection.
Control /safety measures
Use puncture-resistant leak-proof containers for
sharps.
Place infectious waste materials in appropriate plastic
bags or containers
Secure the lid of the specimen container tightly
The laboratory should be kept neat clean and free of
materials that are not pertinent to work
Categories of Control Measures of
Laboratory Hazards
Fire hazards
 No smoking
 Proper storage of chemicals
 Prominent display of emergency directions
 Fire drills,
 Fire exits kept unblocked
 Fire extinguishers
 Fire alarm installed
 Physical hazards
 Proper training and care in handling sharp objects
 Caution when using glassware
 Proper mechanics when lifting objects
Electrical hazards
 Provide information regarding master switch
 Electrical equipment should be grounded
 Uninterrupted source of power should be provided
All electrical equipment must be serviced by a qualified
electrician
Label faulty equipment and do not use again until
properly repaired
Do not over load electrical outlets
Chemical hazards
Prohibit mouth pippeting
Provide safety goggles or full-face respirators
Label all laboratory bottles and containers clearly
Name of reagent
Date prepared
Name of the person who prepared
Appropriate safety warnings
Read each label carefully before using any reagents
Recognize and understand the standard commercial
warning signs that appear on labels
Volatile chemicals
Flush volatile liquids
(ether ,acetone ,alcohols ,xylnene)down the sink using
plenty of water
Open windows to improve ventilation when using
volatile chemicals or chemicals with harmful fumes
Keep volatile chemicals well stopped in cool place
Safe storage
Keep photosensitive chemical (iodine ,drabkin’s
solution)in dark glass bottles or in clear glass bottles
wrapped completely in silver foil
Keep hygroscopic chemicals (sodium hydroxide)well
stopped
Store corrosive chemicals
(acids ,alkalis ,formalin)supplied in winchester bottle
at floor level
Microbiology hazards
Provide hand washing
Prohibit mouth pippeting
Adequate sterilization before washing or disposing
waste
Provide safety hoods
Ensure tissues are handled and disposed properly
Provide mechanical pippeting devices
Provide disposable containers for needle and lancets
Prohibit mouth pippeting
 Symbols of Laboratory Hazards

Explosive (E) Corrosive (C) Irritant Harmful

Toxic Flammable Oxidizing

agent(O)
Review Quiz
No. 1. List five main laboratory hazards
1. ……………
2. …………….
3. …………….
4. …………….
5. …………....
No. 2. State the difference between hazard and biohazard

No.3 . Define human physiology

No.4. List 2 categories of physiology experiments

Review Quiz
No. 5. Control measures for Microbiology hazards are
1. ……………….
2. ……………….
3. ……………….
4. ……………….
5. ……………….
No. 6. Chemical hazards may be prevented by
prohibiting …………...
References
F.J. Baker, R.E. Silverton, Introduction to Medical
Laboratory Technology, 7th Edition,(2001) Oxford
University Press
Monica Cheesbrough – Medical Laboratory Manual
for Tropical Countries Volume I, 2nd Edition (1981)
Butterworth & Co (Publishers) Ltd;
Monica Cheesbrough - District Laboratory Practice in
Tropical Countries, Part 1 & 2 (2002) Cambridge
University Press;
Asanteni kwa
Kunisikiliza!!!