Risk Management and Safety in the Laboratory

Risk Management

Pertains to the process of ensuring and maintaining personal and environmental health and safety.

To identify all electrical, mechanical, anf biological hazards that can potentially cause harm in the laboratory

First step in Risk Management

Cutting of one’s finger or hand on microtome knives

One of the most common accidents in the laboratory

Should develop a system whereby all incidents and accidents are reported, no matter how small

Risk Manager

Standard Operating Procedures

Includes detailed procedures for handling hazardous substances and personal hygiene practices.

Are usually mandated by accrediting or regulatory agencies to ensure that the laboratory is safe.

Material Safety Data Sheet

Written program stating the policies, procedures, and responsibilities to protect employees from health hazards associated with the workplace

Safety training and enforcement of laboratory safety policies

Measures to protect against Laboratory Accidents

• Microscope

• Microtome

• Cryostat

• Autotechnicon

• Automated coverslipper

• Automated H&E Stainer

Major pieces of equipment for any surgical pathology laboratory

(1) Name, Manufacturer, Model Number and Serial Number

(2) Record of preventive maintenance performed, as prescribed by the manufacturer

(3) Record of service calls and repairs performed

(4) Copy of operating manual

File information

Read the manual that accompanies the equipment

First and most important step in the operation of any equipment

Microscope

Piece of equipment used by both pathologist and histologist

Pathologist

Views the slide to identify a disease process or abnormality that will directly affect the patient’s treatment

Histotechnology

Views the same slide microscopically for quality control

Stains and dyes

used to give contrast to tissue by creating light absorption of varying degrees.

• Base

• Arm

• Stage

• Substage

• Mechanical Stage

Parts of the Microscope

Base

Provides support to microscope.

Should be large and solid enough to allow the microscope to stand.

Arm

Supports & holds magnifying and adjustment system

Stage

This is a flat platform where the slide is placed for examination

Substage

It is located directly under the stage and holds the condenser and diaphragm

Mechanical stage

Permits movement of the stage whole holding the slide in the phase of focus

• Nosepiece

• Objectives

• Body tube

• Eyepiece

• Focal length

Lens system

Nosepiece

It is located at the end of the body tube for holding the objectives

Objectives

Consists of a system of lenses located at the end of the body tube that is held in place by the nosepiece and is closer to the slide under examination

Increase or decrease magnification

Purpose of the Objective lens

Body tube

Hallow tube through which light travels from the objectives to the ocular

Eyepiece

It is also referred to as Ocular.

Recieves image from the lens of the objectives, further magnifying the object being examined by approximately 10x

Focal length

It is the distance between the outer lens of the objectives and the cover glass of the slide under examination

Magnification

Is the process that increases the size of the structure under examination

160 mm

Normal tube length

Condenser

Located in the substage receives light rays from sources of illumination and forms a cone of light

Objective Resolving Power

The ability to allow the examiner to see two particular points that are close together, as separate and distinct

Compound microscope

A microscope with more than one lens and its own light structure

Monocular heads

Only use one eyepiece when viewing the specimen

Binocular Heads

Have two eyepiece and are more convenient and comfortable to use.

It is the most common choice.

Trinocular heads

Have a third eyepiece tube that can be used by another person simultaneously or by an LCD camera

Bright field Microscopy

• Light passes through or reflects off the specimen

• Used in standard compound microscopes

• The specimen appears dark against a bright background

Dark field Microscopy

• Uses oblique light to illuminate unstained specimens.

• The specimen appears bright against a dark background.

Phase Contrast Microscopy

• converts small phase shifts in light into contrast variations

• Does not require staining to view the slide

Polarized Light Microscopy

• Enhances image contrast for birefringent materials.

• Uses polarizer (blow the stage) & analyzer (above objectives).

Fluorescent Microscopy

• uses fluorescence for imaging

• Excites the sample with UV or visible light to produce fluorescence

Electron Microscopy

• Uses electron beams instead of light for ultra-high resolution

• Reveals sub cellular structures

• Biohazard

• Irritants

• Corrosive chemicals

• Sensitizers

• Carcinogens

• Toxic Materials

Health hazards

Biohazards

Refer to anything that can cause disease to human, regardless of its source.

• Infectious agents

• Contaminated solutions

• Specimens or objects

Example of Biohazards

Irritants

chemicals that can cause reversible inflammatory effects at the site with living tissues, especially the skin, eyes, and respiratory passages

Corrosive chemicals

Cause allergic reaction or irreversible alterations when exposed to living tissue, or destroy certain inanimate surfaces

Sensitizers

Cause allergic reaction in some exposed workers, not just in hypersensitive individuals.

Carcinogen

Substances that can induce tumors, not only in experimental animals but also in humans.

• Chloroform

• Chromic acid

• Formaldehyde

• Nickel chloride

• Potassium dichromate

Examples of carcinogens

Toxic materials

Capable of causing death by ingestion m, skin contact or inhalation at certain specified concentrations

• Methanol

• Chromic acid

• Osmium tetroxide

• Uranyl nitrate

Examples of Toxic materials

Chemical hazards

Clearing agents and disinfectants, drugs, anesthetic gases, solvents, paints, and compressed gases.

Physical Hazards

Most obvious are slips and falls and have the ergonomic hazard of lifting, pushing, pulling, and repetitive tasks.

Clearly labeled puncture-proof and leak proof containers

Used for sharps disposal

Combustibles

Substances that ignite at or above certain temperature at which vapors will ignition the presence of an ignition source. They will burn readily during a fire

Explosives

A solid or liquid substance which is in itself capable by chemical reaction of producing gas at such a temperature and pressure and at such a speed as to cause damage to the surroundings

Flammables

Flash points below the temperature specified but require specifically designed storage rooms, cabinets, and containers, to control and prevent vapors from building up around electrical devices that spark.

141 degrees F or 60.5 degrees C

Flash point according to OSHA

Oxidizers

Harmless by themselves but may initiate or promote combustion and present serious fire risk when in contact with certain substances

• Sodium iodate

• Mercuric oxide

• Chromic acid

Examples of oxidizers

Permissible Exposure limits (PELs)

Threshold Limit Values (TLV)

Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs)

Terms used to define the maximum allowable airborne concentration of a Chemical to Which the worker may be exposed

(1) Chemical name (if a mixture, name of all the ingredients)

(2) Manufacturer’s Name and Address if purchases commercially, or name of person making the reagent

(3) Date purchased or made

(4) Expiration date

(5) Hazard warnings and Safety Procedures

Every chemical should be labeled with certain basic information

Dangerous Liquids

Beat stored below countertop height to minimize the risk of bodily exposure in case a bottle is dropped and broken

Dangerous reagents

Must be stored in plastic or plastic-coated glads bottles

Flammable Liquids

Liquids that present unusual fire and explosion risk.

must never be stored in refrigerator or freezer unless appliances are certified suitable for an explosive atmosphere.

Red

Most widely used for flammable liquids such as gasoline

Blue

Frequently used for the storage of kerosene

Yellow

Can be used to designate the storage of diesel fuel

Green

Often used for the storage of oils

It can be simply wiped off with towel or sponge, while protecting the hands with suitable gloves.

Limited to a few grams or mL of spills

All personnel should evacuate the room or vicinity.

First aid must be given to anyone who has gotten splashed or is fleeing the effects of vapors.

Significant Spills of Dangerous Materials

The area must be sealed off and an experienced emergency response team must be called.

Spill is large

Disposable aprons

Material needed for chemical spills

Disposable gowns

Materials need for Biohazards

Dustpan and brush

Materials need for poweders

Sponges, towels, and mops

Materials need for Liquids

Adsorbent material, bleach, baking soda

Materials need for acid

Vinegar (5% acetic acid)

Materials need for Alkalis

• Commercial formalin neutralizing product

• Sealable plastic bucket

• Heavy plastic bags

Materials for Salvage waste