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.