Health and Safety in the lab Seyed Hosseini SA Pathology Chemical Pathology
ISO 15190 This International Standard specifies requirements to establish and maintain a safe working environment in a medical laboratory.
How is this achieved? Conducting risk assessment for every task to minimise the hazard to as low a level as practicable, using the following order of priority: a) substitution; b) containment; c) use of personal protective measures and equipment.
Safety is the primary consideration; cost is of secondary importance.
Risk group classification Biological agents are classified into four risk groups: 1. Risk Group I (low individual and community risk) 2. Risk Group II (moderate individual risk, limited community risk) 3. Risk Group III (high individual risk, low community risk) 4. Risk Group IV (high individual risk, high community risk)
Management responsibilities Laboratory management has responsibility for the safety of all employees and visitors to the laboratory. The ultimate responsibility rests with the laboratory director or a named person of equivalent standing.
Management of staff health documented evidence of training related to potential risks associated with work immunizations
Designing for safety General design requirements Laboratories must be designed to ensure that containment of microbiological, chemical, radiological and physical hazards provides a safe working environment minimal risk to the surrounding community. corridors and passages to the exits be clear of obstructions.
Designing for safety(continued) Physical conditions including; Lighting Temperature Ventilation Noise Ergonomic factors Design for working with viable pathogens Door signs Laboratory security
Staffing, procedures, documentation, inspection and records
Laboratory Safety Officer A qualified and experienced Laboratory Safety Officer should be designated to assist the managers with safety issues. This person will Develop Maintain and Monitor an effective laboratory safety programme.
Laboratory Safety Officer(Continued) An effective laboratory safety programme should include education, orientation and training audit and evaluation active programmes to promote safe laboratory practice. The Laboratory Safety Officer must be authorized to stop activities that are unsafe.
Procedures should include detailed instructions concerning any hazards involved and how to carry out the procedure with minimum risk. must be reviewed and updated at least annually by the management representative responsible for the workplace activity
Safety plan includes the following procedures: arrangements for visitors/contractors staff health observation risk assessments hazardous materials labelling requirements, safe storage and disposal safe handling of hazardous materials identifying training needs
Safety plan( continued) obtaining, maintaining and distributing Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) safe decontamination and maintenance of equipment emergency procedures including spillage decontamination of spills incident recording/reporting and investigation disposal of clinical waste
Safety programme audits and inspection The safety programme will be audited and reviewed at least annually Including the following elements: safety and health policy safety procedures education and training of staff supervision of workers regular inspections hazardous materials
Safety programme audits and inspection(continued) health surveillance first aid services and equipment investigation of accidents and illnesses health and safety committee review records and statistics review of safety programme actions arising from the audit are completed.
Safety inspection Laboratory management responsibility Should be performed at least annually Should include; readiness and function of fire emergency procedures, procedures and materials for hazardous spillage control for hazardous material storage disposal procedures
Records Records must be kept in accordance with ISO 15189.These records include: Occupational illness, injury, and adverse incident records Risk assessment records Hazardous waste records
Safety manual A safety manual must be readily available in work areas as required reading for all employees. The manual shall be specific for the laboratory's needs including, but not limited to, the following major categories: a) fire prevention; b) electrical safety; c) chemical safety; d) radiation; e) microbiological hazards; and f) hazardous waste disposal. The safety manual shall include detailed instructions for workplace evacuation and the protocol for dealing with an incident (see Annex A for more information on action plans). The Safety Manual shall be reviewed and updated at least annually by laboratory management. Other information sources available in the laboratory shall include, but shall not be limited to, MSDS on all chemicals and agents handled in the laboratory and other reference materials including texts and authoritative journal articles.
Training The laboratory director must ensure that worker safety training programmes are implemented for all laboratory-associated personnel, including transport and cleaning staff.
Handwashing wash hands immediately after actual or possible contact with blood, body fluids or other contaminating materials, even if gloves have been worn
When to wash hands? 1. after removing gloves
2. before and after using the toilet
3. before leaving lab
4. before eating or smoking
5. before and after contact with each patient
Individual responsibilities Food allowed only in areas designated for their preparation and consumption. Cosmetics, hair and jewellery Long hair must be secured back and kept out of moving equipment
Immunization status Staff should be immunized appropriately according to identified risks and local guidelines. Personal property Secure storage such as lockers should be provided. Festive decorations Must not be used in technical work areas.
Clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, eye, face, foot and respiratory protection
Protective clothing in the laboratory; Face and body protection Gloves Footwear Respiratory protection
Training The laboratory should ensure that there are personnel trained in first aid. Materials and procedures be provided All staff should be familiar with the procedures to be taken following needle stick injuries.
Equipment a minimum, the following facilities for first-aid and emergency procedures are available within the laboratory: a first aid box eye irrigation equipment; antidotes to poisonous chemicals protective clothing and safety equipment for the person rendering first-aid provision of medical assistance and transfer to a hospital when required.
Eyewash stations be conveniently located wherever acids, caustics, corrosives and other hazardous chemicals or hazardous biological materials are in use, or where work with radioactive materials is undertaken.
Emergency showers Emergency showers shall be available and convenient to the location where caustic and corrosive chemicals are used.
Good housekeeping practices 1. A person oversees good housekeeping practices. 2. technical areas are either clean or contaminated. 3. Keep work areas tidy at all times.
Identification of hazards Identify the hazardous area using both signs and physical barriers. These must be clearly identified; - hazardous materials - entrances and exits to work areas
Reporting of incidents, injury, accidents and occupational illnesses Lab must have a programme for reporting incidents, injuries and accidents Reports must be filed for all incidents, including injuries, and must include; detailed description assessment of the cause recommendations for preventing similar incidents actions taken Incident reports must be reviewed by manager, the safety committee or the Laboratory Safety Officer
Chemical safety To avoid chemical contamination during ; storage handling use and disposal of chemicals Nature and risk of hazards for each product be marked on every stock container Hazardous liquids stored below eye level Appropriate PPE must be worn at all times
Discarded chemicals a clear written procedure for the discarding and safe disposal of every chemical product used in the laboratory.
Radiation safety
Radiation protection advisors and officers seek the advice of the local authorized Radiation Protection Advisor (RPA) on radiation protection practice and legislative requirements. appoint a Radiation Protection Officer (RPO) who reports to the RPA.
Waste disposal Laboratory waste disposal must be managed in accordance with national, regional and local regulations. Laboratory waste management will have the following objectives: 1. minimizing the hazards in handling, collecting, transporting, treating and disposing of waste; 2. minimizing harmful effects to the environment.
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