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Laboratory Safety and Regulations

Laboratory Safety and Regulations. Lab. Safety. Laboratory safety is not usually thought of as a quality assurance activity, but the quality of the working environment has both direct and indirect influences on the quality of work produced.

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Laboratory Safety and Regulations

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  1. Laboratory Safety and Regulations

  2. Lab. Safety • Laboratory safety is not usually thought of as a quality assurance activity, but the quality of the working environment has both direct and indirect influences on the quality of work produced. • A safe working environment provides a sense of security to the employee who does not need to spend his time worrying about possible accidents of hazards. • An unsafe working environment, old and faulty equipment, and unprotected chemical and biological hazards can affect detrimentally the concentration and attitude of the employees exposed to these conditions.

  3. Lab. Safety • These factors can also create circumstances in which serious injury, damage, and significant error can occur. • Such conditions are the reflection of ignorance and / or an uncaring attitude by the laboratory management, neither of which is an attitude that promotes high quality performance

  4. Lab. Hazards • Electrical • Toxic vapors • Compressed gasses • Flammable liquids • Radioactive materials ( not too common these days ) • Corrosives • Mechanical • Poisons • Biological Always take time to be knowledgeable about laboratory safety concerns and practice proper safety procedures

  5. Reduce Lab. Risks • It’s essential to know the location and proper use of all safety equipment • It’s essential to know and have access to all printed information about safety policies and reagents Remember … Always take time to be safe

  6. Reduce Lab. Risks • Good personal behavior & habits such as: • professional conduct and appearance, • frequent hand washing, • no eating, smoking, drinking, • or application of makeup, etc. in lab. • Should also make yourself aware of emergency procedures / location and proper use of emergency equipment and fire escape route. Your personal appearance does reflect your concern for safety.

  7. Reduce Lab. Risks • Good housekeeping – • Laboratory cleanliness, • properly labeled containers, • immediate appropriate cleanup of any spills, • warning signs of potential danger posted, etc.

  8. Reduce Lab. Risks • Good laboratory technique – • carefully read all instructions and labels, • do not operate equipment until you are instructed and authorized to do so, • always respect the power of acids, bases and corrosive chemicals. • Know the carcinogens listed in safety manual. • Protect yourself with PPEs and use proper eyewear protection devices. • Never recap needles, etc.

  9. Safety Awareness • Safety responsibility – shared responsibility • Employer • Provide and supervise safety methods, equipment and policies • Employee • Understand and practice established safety procedures • Notify supervisors of unsafe conditions Safety is everyone’s responsibility !!!

  10. Safety Equipments • Safety showers • Eyewash stations • Fire blankets • Fire extinguishers • Spill kits • First aid kits • Fume hoods • Biosafety hoods • Chemical storage cabinets • PPEs ( Personal Protective Equipment ) • Safety glasses, gloves, lab coats, masks

  11. Biological Safety • Standard Precautions ( Universal Precautions ) All biological specimens must be considered potentially infectious • Always use required PPEs (personal protection equipment)when handling biohazardous material • Cap specimens that are being centrifuged • Mouth pipeting is NEVER permitted under any circumstances • Spills must be cleaned using proper technique

  12. Biological Safety • Cleaning Specimen Collection Areas and Biological Spills • Wear gloves. • Use 1:10 bleach solution or commercially prepared solution. • First clean area with visible blood and then disinfect the entire area. • Keep the bleach in contact with contaminated area for at least 20 minutes. • Provide accident follow-up.

  13. Chemical Safety • Storage and handling of Chemicals • Different storage/handling requirements chemicals based on their differing characteristics: • Flammable/Combustible - classified among the most dangerous in the lab. • Corrosives – cause injury to eyes/skin, respiratory tract if contact is made • Reactive – under certain circumstances may react violently - require special knowledge to prevent their contact with reaction causing substances. • Carcinogenic chemicals- been determined to cause cancer. Benzidine is often used as example of lab chemical now classified as carcinogen

  14. Labeling • Diamond shaped, color coded NFPA ( National Fire Protection Act ) labels are required to identify the nature of hazardous material …

  15. Labeling • Everything must be labeled !!! • Hazardous material must include all necessary safety information

  16. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) labeling system for hazardous chemicals

  17. Accident Documentation And Investigation • All accidents must be immediately reported to a supervisor (AFTER first aid ) • Accident Investigation forms must be completed by the employee and employer

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