Health & Safety in the Laboratory Environment

Transcription

1 Health & Safety in the Laboratory Environment Bill Bayne, MS, ASP Health & Safety Manager

2 According to the Guide An occupational Health & Safety program must be part of the overall animal care and use program. 2

3 What is Safety Principle Objective: To reduce to an acceptable level, the risk associated with using materials or systems that have inherent danger by controlling or eliminating hazards. 3

4 Quick Lesson in assessing Acceptable Risk 3x3 4

5 3 Bibles of safety 5

6 6

7 An Effective Health & Safety Program 7-Elements according to AAALAC 1) Knowing the hazards 2) Avoiding and controlling the hazards 3) Training and education 4) Rules and guidelines 5) Consistency 6) Recordkeeping and monitoring 7) Commitment and coordination National Research Council. (1997). Occupational Health & Safety in the Care and Use of Research Animals. 7

8 1) Knowing the Hazards Seems like a pretty simple task right? What about Physical hazards -unsafe conditions and actions Chemical hazards Allergens Bites 8

9 Unsafe Actions vs. Unsafe Conditions Operating without qualification or authorization. Lack of or improper use of PPE. Failure to tag out/lockout. Operating equipment at unsafe speed. Failure to warn. Bypass or removal of safety devices. Using defective equipment. Use of tools for other than their intended purpose. Working in hazardous locations without adequate protection or warning. Improper repair of equipment. Horseplay. Wearing unsafe clothing. Defective tools, equipment, or supplies. Inadequate supports or guards. Congestion in the workplace. Inadequate warning systems. Fire and explosion hazards. Poor housekeeping. Hazardous atmospheric condition. Excessive noise. Poor ventilation. 9

10 Avoidance and Control Effective Safety Control Measures follow a 3- step Process E.A.P Engineering Administrative Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 10

11 Training and Education An institution s approach for providing education and training depends on its: 1. Size 2. Resources 3. Animal species used 4. Research activities 5. Staff experience and technical expertise 11

12 Training and Learners Modern Age Training: Classroom (Lecture vs. round-table ) Computer Based (Online vs. WebEx) On the Job (OJT) Hands-on or self learning Reading books, manuals, operators manuals Effective training utilizes multiple methods and is geared toward audience and understanding level 12

13 Training and Education Training Should consist of at least: The use of personnel protective equipment (PPE). Good hygiene practices and universal precautions. Laboratory animal allergies. Zoonotic agents. Ergonomics; Physical Hazards; Noise. Training sessions in chemical, radiation, biohazards material safety, and Bloodborne pathogens may be provided by experts in the appropriate department. OSHA Required topics; regardless of industry i.e. emergency action plans, fire extinguishers, hazard communication, electrical, etc. 13

14 Rules and Guidelines Rules are governed by: Institution (veterinarian, Institutional Official, OHSP) AAALAC OSHA/EPA USDA FDA Other Regulatory Bodies as applicable 14

15 Consistency Rules, Guidelines and Requirements are there for a reason. As such: If a policy says to wear a N95 respirator, then it should be done by everyone in the space of requirement If a rule is broken, then appropriate measures should be taken based upon parameters of rule and institutional policies. If training is required annually on a specific topic, then it must be done. Consistency is Key 15

16 Recordkeeping and Monitoring Records have two main purposes: 1) Requirement by governing body: o OSHA Logs o Pulmonary Function Exams o Training Records 2) To learn lessons from o When, Where, How, Why, are the accident/incidents occurring o What type of accidents/incidents are occurring Again Consistency is Key!! 16

17 Monitoring - Medical Evaluations Pre-placement Periodic Episodic Recognition against Adverse Health Outcomes Medical management for W/C claims Immunization Serum Banking No longer common practice Exit Evaluations 17

18 Commitment and Coordination How committed are you to a injury/incident free workplace? How committed is you manager, director, CEO? How committed is your veterinarian? Or other ranking officials? How committed is your co-workers or co-researchers? Is this commitment stated, visual and evident in everything that is done? 18

19 AAALAC Deficiencies from Inspections More common deficiencies: Hazard identification/risk assessment. Personal hygiene/protection. 19

20 20

21 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments What are the hazards of your institution? Air Bites Allergens Heights Noises Hazardous Chemicals Etc. Are these Hazards identified and monitored? 21

22 Recommended Actions to Controlling Risks Full Site Assessment All Elements Weekly Assessment/Inspection (overview; high level) o Some items may require daily inspections (typically equipment) Monthly/Quarterly Full Inspection o Review Records, personnel, chemical cabinets, fire extinguishers, fume hoods, glass wear, etc. Annual: clean the dust bunnies out! o Look in the dark places for hidden hazards o i.e. expired chemicals, first aid supplies, 22

23 Site Assessments/Risk Assessments What are you looking for? Banks, R. (2000, 10). Hazard control and risk assessment. 23

24 24

25 PPE Respirators vs. Dust Masks For comfort only Will not protect against harmful dust, fumes or gases Benefits: Inexpensive, disposable, keeps the big stuff out 25

26 PPE Respirators vs. Dust Masks NIOSH approved to filter our 95% of airborne agents, non-biological Will not protect against airborne viruses or oily substances Benefits: added protection, relatively inexpensive 26

27 PPE Respirators vs. Dust Masks Protection against majority of airborne particles, containment's. Customizable filters to protect against specific hazards, i.e. organic, lead, Formaldehyde, acids, Mercury, Multi-Gas, Ozone, and various particulates Benefits: Long Lasting, Customizable, Sizeable 27

28 PPE Respirators vs. Dust Masks Other Options as needed Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) For times when complete outside air isolation is necessary 28

29 Important Considerations Limitations Considerations Regulation s Sizing Longevity of use Cost Personal medical history, i.e. pulmonary function exam results And the Most Important.. Should a mask or respirator be worn or can the hazard be engineered out? 29

30 30

31 What are the agents or chemicals present in your facility? Typically: Ammonia from cleaning chemicals and animal urine Chlorine bleach and other cleaning products could be aerosolized, i.e. chlorine dioxide Peroxide Isoflurane/enflurane/halothane/sevoflurane/desflurane Zoonosis Allergens (animals, chemicals, seasonal) Other: Cleaning Chemicals Surgical Chemicals 31

32 Thought Points What/Where are the agents of your facility Who are the exposed individuals, i.e. employees, guests, customers, students How are you sampling How often should you or are you sampling What occurs if there is any over exposure Is there Engineering, Administrative or PPE practices in place to maintain employee health What are the regulatory exposure limits for XYZ agent Who and How is the process handled when a new agent is introduced Is any medical surveillance required/recommended for existing/new agents 32

33 33

34 Manifestations Nasal Symptoms Itchy eyes Rashes ~10 40% affected Occupational Asthma Cough Wheezing Shortness of breath Chronic symptoms (can last for month years) ~10% of population affected Symptoms usually evolve over a period of 1-2 years 34

35 35

36 Biosafety Assessment Should be assessed by person(s) knowledgeable of: Biosafety protocols (CDC, WHO) Facility Protocols, SOPs, Work Instructions Hazardous Agents being used, including quantities Conduct or have access to Industrial Hygiene Sampling data Able to read, interpret, understand Safety Data Sheets (SDS, formally MSDS) Develop SDS (if applicable) 36

37 Biosafety Assessment Questions: What is the agent(s) being used, manipulated, generated, etc.? Is there a vaccine or other medical precautions available or required? What is the Risk Group of the agent(s) What procedure is being completed? What are the potential routes of entry into human body, facility or environment? 37

38 Biosafety Assessment What is facilities Biosafety level (BSL) (1,2,3,4) What is the work practice BSL (1,2,3,4) What PPE is or should be required? Is medical monitoring necessary? (hearing, respiratory, vaccine, etc.) Is cycling necessary? (i.e. 4 hours in 4 out, 1 day in 1 day out) Other potential concerns: Security (control of access by internal or external parties) Laboratory equipment condition or applicability Is it regulated by any regulatory body(ies) Borrowed from CDC Biological Risk Assessment Worksheet 38

39 So what is BSL level? BSL 1 Suitable for well known agents Not known to cause disease or adverse conditions or reactions Not generally separated from general traffic patterns within facility Conducted with normal laboratory practices, i.e. no eating, drinking, smoking, mouth pipetting, sharps practices, etc.) Special containment or facility design not required Normal PPE in place, 39

40 So what is BSL level? BSL 2 Builds on BSL 1 Specific training necessary by competent scientist Access to laboratory restricted Aerosols or agents that may splash or conducted under containment Additional PPE may be necessary 40

41 So what is BSL level? BSL 3 Expands greatly on BSL 1 & 2 Applicable to facilities that do clinical, diagnostic, teaching, research or production of indigenous or exotic agents that may cause serious harm or lethal disease Specific training required All manipulation must be done under containment Advance PPE likely necessary Isolated from general facility traffic Special facility design likely Sealed doors, windows, walls, ceiling Clean Rooms 41

42 So what is BSL level? BSL 4 Extreme level for extreme agents Likely quite dangerous and exotic high mortality rate upon exposure Facility highly controlled PAPR or Cabinet Laboratory used Extreme facility design to protect occupants and public at large Extreme precautions taken to prevent exposure to laboratory personnel i.e. multiple filtrations, medical observation, training (Center for Disease Control, 2009) 42

43 Example of a BSL 4 43

44 44

45 References Center for Disease Control. (2009). Biosafety in microbiological and biomedical laboratories (bmbl). (5 ed.). Retrieved from National Research Council. (2011). Guide for the care and use of laboratory animals. (8th ed.). Washington, D.C.: The National Academic Press. National Research Council. (1997). Occupational Health & Safety in the Care and Use of Research Animals. Washington, D.C.: The National Academic Press. 45