LESSON 4

Safety

condition of being protected from damage/risk. It is a state of being free.

Hazard

something that can cause harm, loss, or danger.

Risk

a situation which is exposed to harm, danger, or loss.

HAZARD + EXPOSURE = RISK

EQUATION TO OBTAIN RISK

BIOLOGICAL HAZARD

pertains to any biological material, such as microorganisms, plants, animals, or their byproducts, that threatens the health of living organisms, most especially humans and animals.

• Viruses

• Bacteria

• Parasites

• Fungi

• Prions (proteins that can cause diseases).

BIOLOGICAL HAZARD

• Sources:

• Ingestion

• Inoculation

• Tactile Contamination

• Inhalation of Infectious material from patients

• Aerosol Dispersion

BIOLOGICAL HAZARD

• Mode of Transmission::

• Aerosolized infectious materials

• Improperly processed blood products.

• Inappropriately dispersed waste products.

BIOLOGICAL HAZARD

• Biohazard Exposure:

HAZARDOUS

Tissues, organs, mucous, secretions, saliva, semen, vaginal, urethral, cavity fluids, exudates, wounds, amniotic fluid, and any materials acquired from the body shall be considered ________

UNIVERSAL PRECAUTION (1980s)

Guidelines for safe handling of body fluids and human tissues for all patients.

CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

UNIVERSAL PRECAUTION (1980s) is provided by ______

LEVEL 1

BIOSAFETY LEVEL: ____

RISK: Safe

DESCRIPTION: Low risk to personnel and the environment

LEVEL 2

BIOSAFETY LEVEL: ____

RISK: Caution

DESCRIPTION: Moderate risk to personnel and the environment

LEVEL 3

BIOSAFETY LEVEL: ____

RISK: Dangerous

DESCRIPTION: Serious disease for human, animal or plant (not spread by casual contact)

LEVEL 4

BIOSAFETY LEVEL: ____

RISK: Deadly

DESCRIPTION: Very serious disease for human, animal, or plant. (often untreatable)

CHEMICAL HAZARD

All chemicals in the laboratory should always be presumed as hazardous.

MSDS - Material Safety Data Sheet

It contains information about a chemical's identity, hazards, safe handling and storage, protective measures, first aid, spill response, and disposal guidelines.

Hazard Communication Standards; Chemical Hygiene Plan

OSHA published _________ and _______

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA stands for

• Carcinogen

• Mutagenicity

• Reproductive Toxicity

• Respiratory Sensitizer

• Target Organ Toxicity

• Aspiration Toxicity 

HAZARD COMMUNITY STANDARD

HEALTH HAZARD

• Flammable

• Pyrophorics

• Self-Heating

• Emits Flammable Gas

• Self-Reactives

• Organic Peroxidase 

HAZARD COMMUNITY STANDARD

FLAME

• Irritant (skin and eye)

• Skin sensitizer

• Acute Toxicity (harmful)

• Narcotic Effects

• Respiratory Tract Irritant

• Hazardous to Ozone Layer (non-mandatory)

HAZARD COMMUNITY STANDARD

EXCLAMATION MARK 

Gases Under Pressure

HAZARD COMMUNITY STANDARD

GAS CYLINDER

Skin Corrosion/Burns

Eye Damage

Corrosive to Metals

HAZARD COMMUNITY STANDARD

CORROSION

Explosives

Self-Reactives

Organic Peroxides

HAZARD COMMUNITY STANDARD

EXPLODING BOMB

Oxidizers

HAZARD COMMUNITY STANDARD

FLAME OVER CIRCLE

Aquatic Toxicity

HAZARD COMMUNITY STANDARD

ENVIRONMENT (NON-MANDATORY)

Acute Toxicity (fatal or toxic)

HAZARD COMMUNITY STANDARD

SKULL AND CROSSBONES

FIRE HAZARD

Laboratory inventory comprises a range of materials, equipment, and reagents required to conduct procedures in the clinical laboratory setting

Class A

FIRE TYPE: ______

EXTINGUISHING MATERIAL: Wood, Paper, Clothing (Combustibles)
RECOMMENDED FIRE EXTINGUISHER: Water (+Foam, Multipurpose Dry Chemical)

Class B

FIRE TYPE: ______

EXTINGUISHING MATERIAL: Flammable Organic Chemicals (Liquids)
RECOMMENDED FIRE EXTINGUISHER: Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), Dry Chemical, Foam

Class C

FIRE TYPE: ______

EXTINGUISHING MATERIAL: Electrical (Equipment)
RECOMMENDED FIRE EXTINGUISHER: Dry Chemicals, Carbon Dioxide, Halon

Class D

FIRE TYPE: ______

EXTINGUISHING MATERIAL: Combustible (Metals)
RECOMMENDED FIRE EXTINGUISHER: Sand or Dry Powder; Dry Chemicals

P - Pull the pin 

A - Aim the nozzle at base of fire

S - Squeeze the lever

S - Sweep side to side

HOW TO USE FIRE EXTINGUISHER

STEP 3: Use the PASS method to put out the fire

PASS stands for 

Radioactive Isotopes

X-rays

Ultraviolet sources

RADIATION HAZARD

• Sources of radiation:

ELECTRICAL HAZARD

Inadequate wiring and improper insulation of equipment

PHYSICAL/MECHANICAL HAZARD

These hazards are associated with structural or mechanical defects as slippery floors, projections that cause cuts and bruises like nails, inadequate lighting, machinery with unprotected moving parts, etc.

SHARPS CONTAINER

• Include metals, as well as almost anything with a “sharp” edge that may cause punctures and/or cuts on unsuitable containers.

• Needles, blades, scalpels etc. fall under this category.

YELLOW PLASTIC BAG

PLASTIC BAG

• Infectious Waste -

• Used to dispose of clinical waste like swabs, dressings, tissues, soiled gloves, aprons, pads, and nappies.

RED PLASTIC BAG

PLASTIC BAG

• Used to collect anatomical waste including human body fluids like semen, saliva, tissues, organs and animal carcasses.

• Only biohazard waste like blood-contaminated objects and pathological waste go to the red bag.

BLACK PASTIC BAG

PLASTIC BAG

• Plastics, wrappers, papers, etc -

• Anything that is non-infectious