SPDX: LAB SAFETY

Occupational Safety and Health Act

Public Law 91-596

Occupational Safety and Health Act Enactment

U.S. Congress in 1970

Occupational Safety and Health Act Goal

Provide all employees with a safe work environment

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Authorized to conduct on-site inspections to determine compliance with mandatory standards

Bloodborne Pathogen Standard

Applies to all exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials in any occupational setting

Formaldehyde Standard

Allowable exposure for formaldehyde every day is 0.75 parts per million of air

Laboratory Standard

Ensures proper handling and disposal of hazardous materials in labs

Hazard Communication Standard

Regulates communication of hazardous chemical risks in the workplace

Respiratory Standard

Governs respiratory protection against airborne contaminants

Air Contaminants Standard

Establishes permissible exposure limits to airborne substances

Personal Protective Equipment Standard

Requires proper PPE usage in the workplace

Universal Precaution

All patients are considered potential carriers of bloodborne pathogens

Exposure Control Plan

Mandates protocols for handling bloodborne pathogens

HBV Vaccination Requirement

Employers must provide free HBV vaccination to employees under OSHA

Common Bloodborne Pathogens

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and HIV

Exposure Response

Incident must be reported immediately, followed by post-exposure prophylaxis

Hazard Communication Standard

Ensures evaluation and communication of workplace chemical hazards

Universal Precaution

Instituted by CDC in 1987, applying only to bloodborne pathogens

Protective Measures

Use gloves, face shields, and dispose of sharp objects in puncture-resistant containers

CDC Exclusions

Urine and body fluids not visibly contaminated by blood were excluded from Universal Precaution

Body Substance Isolation (BSI)

Includes all body fluids and moist body substances as potentially infectious

Gloves Usage

Personnel should wear gloves at all times when handling moist body substances

Handwashing in BSI

Not required unless visible contamination is present

Handwashing

Required before and after procedures

Protective Equipment

Gloves, masks, eye protection, gowns

Patient Care Equipment

Proper handling and disinfection required

Environmental Control

Cleaning and maintaining infection control

Linen Handling

Prevents cross-contamination

Occupational Health

Preventing bloodborne pathogen exposure

Patient Placement

Ensures infection control in hospital settings

Hazard Communication Standard

Known as the Right to Know Law

Clinical Laboratory Compliance

Written hazard communication program required

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Provides safety information on hazardous materials

Product Name

Identifies chemical substance

Hazardous Ingredients

Lists toxic components

Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)

Maximum exposure levels

Physical and Chemical Data

Details about the substance properties

Health Hazards

Includes carcinogenic potential

Routes of Entry

Identifies exposure risks

Fire and Explosion Hazards

Potential flammability issues

Reactivity Data

Stability and chemical reactivity information

Spill and Disposal Procedures

Guidelines for handling chemical spills

PPE Recommendations

Specifies required protective gear

Emergency and First Aid

Outlines response actions

Storage and Transport Precautions

Provides handling instructions

OSHA Laboratory Standard

Requires a chemical hygiene officer and a chemical hygiene plan

Clean Water Act

Regulates water pollution

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

Governs hazardous waste disposal

Toxic Substances Control Act

Manages chemical risks

Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)

Provides infection control guidelines

The Joint Commission (TJC)

Publishes hospital accreditation manuals

College of American Pathologists (CAP)

Sets laboratory standards

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Created the NFPA fire diamond for hazard identification

Biodegradable Waste

Includes food waste and yard waste (green bin)

Non-Biodegradable Waste

Paper, plastic, tin cans (red bin)

Non-Recyclable Waste

Used rugs, ceramics, soiled plastics (blue bin)

Special/Hazardous Waste

Batteries, fluorescent lamps, spray canisters (black bin)

Employer’s Responsibilities

Establish safety policies, provide training, PPE, and maintain facilities

Employee’s Responsibilities

Follow safety methods, report unsafe conditions, and practice safe work habits

Prohibited Actions

No smoking, eating, or applying cosmetics in the lab

Proper PPE Usage

Should never be worn outside the lab

Handwashing

Required even if gloves are worn

Needle Disposal

Sharps must be discarded in puncture-resistant containers (not overfilled)

Safety Showers

Deliver 30-50 gallons of water per minute

Eyewash Stations

Required in all labs

Fire Extinguishers

Available every 75 feet, checked monthly

Fire Blankets and Spill Kits

Must be accessible in all labs

Acid/Base Spills

Should be diluted with water before cleanup

Acid Neutralizer

Sodium bicarbonate

Base Neutralizer

Boric acid

Absorbent Usage

Absorbs chemical spills

Flammable Chemicals

Includes acetone, benzene, ethanol, and methanol

Corrosive Chemicals

Have pH ≤ 2 or ≥ 12.5, such as sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide

Toxic Substances

Includes poisons, irritants, and asphyxiants

Carcinogens

Capable of causing cancer

Mutagens and Teratogens

Cause genetic mutations and birth defects

Reactive Chemicals

May explode or ignite under certain conditions

Types of Ionizing Radiation

Alpha, Beta, Gamma, X-ray, Neutron

Alpha Particles

Large, stopped by skin or paper

Beta Particles

Smaller, limited penetration

Gamma Rays

Highly penetrating, significant hazard

X-rays

Similar to gamma rays but differ in radiation source

Fire Chemistry

Requires fuel, heat, and oxygen

Class A Fire

Involves ordinary combustibles like paper and wood

Class B Fire

Flammable liquids and gases

Class C Fire

Electrical fires

Class D Fire

Reactive metals

Class K Fire

Kitchen fires involving cooking oil

Proper Equipment Use

Only explosion-proof equipment in hazardous areas

Equipment Grounding

Use three-pronged plugs

Inspect Electrical Cords

Report frayed wires immediately

Equipment Maintenance

Annual checks for current leakage

Follow Teacher’s Instructions

Only conduct experiments under supervision

Responsible Conduct

No horseplay in the lab

Equipment Handling

Do not touch chemicals until instructed

No Food or Drink

Avoid contamination and accidents

Accident Reporting

Report all incidents immediately