VS

LSSP - Safety Requirements

  • Legal Frameworks:
    • Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act (TDG): Ensures safety in transport of hazardous materials.
    • Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA): Governs health and safety in the workplace.
    • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS): Communication standard for chemicals in the workplace.

Learning Objectives

  • Review the WHMIS 2015 for clinical laboratories.
  • Understand TDG protocols for transporting clinical specimens.

Key Resources

  • WHMIS Resources:
    • Government of Canada WHMIS webpage.
    • Laboratory Safety CSMSL Guidelines, 9th Edition.
    • Various sections of WHMIS related literature.
  • TDG Regulations: Accessible at Government of Canada TDG regulations webpage.

Transportation in the Laboratory

  • Transport Practices:
    • Specimens transported from:
    • Patient bedside or outpatient labs to Accessioning department.
    • Collection centers to main labs.
    • From Accessioning to testing bench (intra-laboratory).
    • To external reference labs (inter-laboratory).
  • Guidelines:
    • Routine Practices: Treat all specimens as potentially infectious.
    • TDG Regulations: Follow strict guidelines for dangerous goods.

Infectious Substances

  • Definition: Micro-organisms that may cause disease in humans or animals, found in blood, tissues, etc.

TDG Overview

  • Purpose: Promotes safety and public protection during transportation of dangerous goods (by road, air, etc.).
  • Classification of Dangerous Goods:
    • Defined substances threatening health, safety, etc.

TDG Roles and Responsibilities

  • Consignor: Classifies hazard, packages goods, prepares documentation.
  • Carrier: Responsible for safe transportation and handling.
  • Consignee: Receives goods and verifies documentation.

Hazardous Substances Classifications

  • Classes include:
    • Class 2: Gasses
    • Class 4: Flammable solids
    • Class 6: Toxic substances
    • Class 6.2: Infectious substances
    • Class 7: Radioactive materials
    • Class 8: Corrosives

Categories of Infectious Substances

  • Class 6.2:
    • Category A: High risk, causes severe disease (e.g., Ebola).
    • Category B: Lower risk, most lab specimens.

Packaging Regulations for TDG

  • Category A:
    • Triple packaging: leakproof primary + secondary receptacles, rigid outer packaging (min. 100mm).
  • Category B:
    • Type P650: Similar structure with specifications for inner and outer packaging.

Inter-Laboratory Transfers

  • Specimens referred to labs lacking testing capabilities.
  • Proper classification and packaging essential for safety.

TDG Training Requirements

  • Personnel must have training and certification to handle dangerous goods.

Case Study: Incident Overview

  • Exposure to Listeria from improperly packaged specimen.
  • Analyzed accountability and preventative measures for packaging and transport mishaps.

OHSA Overview

  • Purpose: Governs workplace health and safety, outlining duties of employers and employees.
  • Employer Responsibilities: Create health policies, maintain safety committees, compliance with laws.
  • Employee Responsibilities: Participate in safety initiatives, report hazards, work on policies.

Lab Hazards Overview

  • Common lab hazards include:
    • Chemical Exposure: Acids, bases, and other toxic substances.
    • Biohazards: Exposure to human specimens.
    • Physical Hazards: Sharps, glassware, and equipment mishaps.

WHMIS 2015 Details

  • Framework: National hazard communication standard for hazardous chemicals.
  • Key elements involving hazard classification, labels, and safety data sheets.
  • Key Players:
    • Suppliers: Identify hazardous products and provide correct labeling.
    • Employers: Responsible for worker education and safety measures.
    • Workers: Participate in training and follow safety protocols.

Key Elements in WHMIS

  • Hazard Classifications: Health hazards (toxic effects) vs. physical hazards (flammable materials).
  • Pictograms: Visual warnings for different types of hazards including biohazards and corrosive materials.
  • Supplier Labels: Must include product identifier, hazard statements, precautionary measures, and supplier information.
  • Safety Data Sheets (SDS): Should be accessible and follow a standardized format with 16 sections detailing chemical hazards and safety instructions.

WHMIS Education and Training

  • Mandatory annual training for lab workers.
  • Awareness of potential hazards and safety controls is essential.

WHMIS Exemptions

  • Certain materials like explosives, cosmetics, and hazardous wastes may be exempt from WHMIS.
  • Governed by other legislation prior to WHMIS inception.

Self-Assessment Tools

  • WHMIS Self-test available on learning platform for personal assessment of understanding and retention of WHMIS principles.