CC LAB L1 PRELIM

Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)

Public Law 91-596 enacted in 1970 to provide all employees with a safe work environment; authorized to conduct on-site inspections.

Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030)

OSHA standard enacted in 1991 regulating occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials; mandates a written exposure control plan.

Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200)

Also known as the 'Right to Know Law'; ensures chemical hazards are evaluated and transmitted via labels, SDSs, and employee education.

Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories (29 CFR 1910.1450)

Also known as the 'Lab Standard'; requires the appointment of a Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) and a written Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP).

Ultimate Safety Responsibility

Belongs to the employer, who delegates authority for safe operations to supervisors; safety management must start with a written safety policy.

Hierarchy of Hazard Controls (Most to Least)

Elimination (physically remove) -> Substitution (replace) -> Isolation (isolate people) -> Engineering Controls (engineer out) -> Administrative Controls (change work habits) -> PPE (protect worker).

Safety Showers standard flow rate

Recommended to deliver 30 to 50 gallons of water per minute at 20 to 50 psi; requires periodic testing for proper operation.

Biosafety Cabinets (BSCs) HEPA Filter

High-Efficiency Particular Air filter used in biological hoods to remove harmful infectious particles from the air.

BSC Class I Airflow & BS Level

Air enters at front, exits rear/top through HEPA; face velocity is 75 IFPM; accommodates Biosafety Levels 2 and 3.

BSC Class II Airflow & BS Level

Recirculates and exhausts air through HEPA; face velocity is 75 IFPM; accommodates Biosafety Levels 2 and 3.

BSC Class II Type A2 Airflow

70% of air is recirculated through HEPA, 30% is exhausted through HEPA; face velocity is 75 IFPM.

BSC Class II Type B1 Airflow

30% of air is recirculated through HEPA, 70% is exhausted through HEPA and hard-ducted; face velocity is 100 IFPM.

BSC Class II Type B2 Airflow

No air recirculation; 100% total exhaust via HEPA and hard-ducted; face velocity is 100 IFPM.

BSC Class III (Glove Box)

Completely enclosed and airtight with glove ports; inlet air and dual exhaust through HEPA; face velocity NA IFPM; BS Levels 3 and 4.

PPE Donning Order (putting on)

Gown -> Face Mask -> Goggles -> Gloves.

PPE Doffing Order (taking off)

Gloves -> Goggles -> Mask -> Gown.

Centrifugation Hazard

High-risk source of finely dispersed, highly infectious aerosols when handling biological specimens.

Biological Spill Protocol

1. Wear PPE -> 2. Use mechanical devices to pick up glass -> 3. Absorb with paper towels -> 4. Clean with detergent -> 5. Disinfect with 10% bleach -> 6. Rinse with water -> 7. Dispose in biohazard container.

Universal Precautions

Infection control concept that presumes all human blood, tissue, and body fluids are infectious for HIV, Hepatitis B, and other bloodborne pathogens.

Standard Precautions

Infection prevention guidelines applied to all patients at all times, covering all body fluids to prevent the spread of all infections.

Transmission-Based Precautions

Infection control guidelines applied to patients with known or suspected transmissible infections to prevent high-risk spread.

Chemical Storage Alphabetical Rule

Chemicals must never be stored solely in alphabetical order because incompatible chemicals may be stored next to each other and react.

Flammable Liquid Flash Point

Has a flash point below 37.8°C (100°F); must be stored in safety cabinets or explosion-proof refrigerators.

Combustible Liquid Flash Point

Has a flash point at or above 37.8°C (100°F).

Safety Carriers Requirement

Must always be used to transport bottles of acids, alkalis, or other solvents of 500 mL or greater volume.

Approved Safety Cans Requirement

Must be used for storing, dispensing, or disposing of flammables in volumes greater than 1 quart.

Gas Cylinders Storage & Transport

Must be stored vertically, secured with supports or clamps at all times, and transported using handcarts.

Fire Tetrahedron Components

Fuel, Heat, Oxygen, and Uninhibited Reaction Chain.

Class A Fire & Extinguisher

Ordinary combustibles (wood, paper, cloth); extinguished by Pressurized Water or Dry Chemical.

Class B Fire & Extinguisher

Flammable liquids, grease, gasoline, oils; extinguished by Dry Chemical or Carbon Dioxide.

Class C Fire & Extinguisher

Electrical equipment, motors, switches; extinguished by Carbon Dioxide, Halon, or Dry Chemical.

Class D Fire & Extinguisher

Flammable metals (magnesium); extinguished by Metal X (scoop/sprinkle).

PASS Fire Extinguisher Protocol

Pull pin -> Aim nozzle -> Squeeze trigger -> Sweep nozzle.

Cryogenic Materials PPE

Eye and face protection, and loose-fitting insulated gloves that can be taken off quickly if liquid spills or splashes.

Cryogenic Liquid Specimen Handling

Insert specimens into the coolant very slowly to minimize violent boiling, frothing, and splashing.

Acetylene Gas Cylinder Warning

Ensure acetylene tanks are properly piped because acetylene gas is highly incompatible with copper tubing.

Ergonomic Repetitive Strain Factors

Position/posture, applied force, and frequency of repetition.

Red Waste Box (Biohazard)

Contains anything contaminated with potentially infectious materials, such as blood and infectious waste.

Red Waste Box with Yellow Lid (Sharps)

Contains any device with the capability of piercing the skin, such as scalpels, needles, and broken glass.

Red Waste Box with PATH Label

Contains pathological waste, including tissues, organs, fluids, and body parts from surgical-like procedures.

Yellow Waste Box (Trace Chemo)

Contains items contaminated with trace amounts of a chemotherapeutic agent, such as gloves, gowns, etc.

Blue Waste Box (Non-Hazardous Pharma)

Contains unused over-the-counter drugs that are not hazardous as defined by the RCRA.

Black Waste Box (Hazardous Pharma)

Contains unused over-the-counter drugs that are hazardous as defined by the RCRA (toxic, corrosive, reactive, or ignitable).

Accident Root Causes

Environmental factors (unsafe conditions like poor housekeeping or defective equipment) and personal factors (unsafe acts like improper attire or lack of skills).

Infectious Exposure Emergency

The appropriate authority must be notified immediately if any individual sustains a needle puncture or cut during specimen handling.