Project 4Shannon Marsh

AHLT 230Bryant & Stratton CollegeInstructor: Robert Novick

July 28th, 2015

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA)

Personal safety precautions for the medical laboratory:• Hazard communication • Bloodborne pathogens• Personal protective equipment (PPE)• Eye and face protection• Hand protection• Control of hazardous energy (Lockout/ Tagout)• Physical hazards• Fire safety

SAFETY TECHNIQUES: Used to prevent accidents and maintain safe work environments

• Wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE) at work station• Maintain a clean and disinfected work environment

• Follow proper protocol for biological spills immediately• Prevents slips, trips, and falls

• Keep walkways clear and free of clutter• Maintaining equipment

• Location and knowledge of material safety data sheets (MSDS) in the event of chemical exposure• Ergonomics: breaks from repetitive motion tasks, stretching, adjusting seats

appropriately• Fire safety

• know the exit plan, location of fire alarms, extinguishers, and exit locations• Keep fire exits free of furniture, equipment, garbage, or other items• Maintain 3 feet access to fire extinguishers, electrical services boxes and fire alarms

Safety Precautions• No food or beverage to be consumed in the laboratory• Smoke only in designated areas, outside the facility• Maintain a clean and disinfected work environment

• Dispose of waste products in proper containers (Biohazard, sharps containers, regular waste)• Engineering controls are in place

• Labeling of all biohazardous material• Be aware of surrounds at all times!!!• Wear appropriate PPE (Standard/Universal precautions)

• when working with specimen’s (Blood-borne pathogens, bodily fluids, air-borne)• In other work areas• At work station

• Lab Equipment• Lockout/tag out• Check all expiration dates• Run appropriate controls before testing products• Appropriate outlets are used for electrical equipment

• Notification/Repair of uneven surfaces, spills, and other hazards• Vaccinations

• Hepatitis• Influenza/ Pneumonia• Tetanus

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

• Required by OSHA, manufacturers provide thorough information regarding all hazardous chemicals that an individual may come into contact with. The MSDS helps to keep employees and employers safe when exposed to products on a daily basis and in emergencies.

• Must be readily available for all employees at any time

• Included in the MSDS:• Name of the product• Manufacturer’s Information including emergency contact number• Ingredients: hazardous and nonhazardous, physical/ chemical characteristics, fire hazards, and

dangerous reactivity• Health exposure to the material: acute or chronic; route of exposure; signs and symptoms of exposure• First Aid in the event to exposure• Safe handling procedures for spill, leaks, or breakage• Proper disposal of chemical• Control Measures: ventilation, engineering controls, PPE, storage

MSDS Example

Fire Safety• Healthcare facilities contain many agents that can cause fires:• Oxygen sources• Chemicals: flammable and combustible liquids• Heat sources: open flames and other high heat-producing equipment• Faulty electrical wiring

• Being knowledgeable regarding safety issues provides for a safer environment for the staff and patients!!!• Be alert of surroundings and materials in use

• Know location of fire alarms, extinguishers, and exits• Know vocal or sound communication to alert other employees of fire

or evacuation necessity• Know emergency contact information

Fire Safety:What to do in the event of a fire

• DO NOT PANIC!!!• Do NOT fight the fire unless you are specifically trained to do so• Activate alarm system

• Fire alarm• Call 9-1-1• Vocal communication

• Turn off all equipment, close windows, close doors, do NOT reenter• Evacuate premises• Designated meeting place

• 200 ft. away from building• Attendance

• Wait for officials• Before reentering• To fight fire appropriately

Follow- up Questions• What are three safety precautions established by OSHA, for the

medical laboratory?• What do you do in the event that a MSDS sheet is not available for

use?• What are some vocal or sound communications that might be used to

alert of a fire?• Why wouldn’t you just pull the fire alarm?

References

Fire safety in the workplace. (2002). Occupational safety health and administration (OSHA) fact sheet. Retrieved from: https://

www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/FireSafetyN.pdf

Laboratory safety guidance. (2011). OSHA.gov. Retrieved from: https://

www.osha.gov/Publications/laboratory/OSHA3404laboratory-safety-guidance.pdf

MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) requirements and Regulations. (2015). Environment, Health and Safety Online (EHSO). Retrieved from: http://

www.ehso.com/msds_regulations.php

Material safety data sheet: hydrogen peroxide- 3% MSDS. (2013). ScienceLab.com: chemicals and laboratory equipment. Retrieved from:

http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9924298

What is a materials safety data sheet (MSDS)?. (2008). Oregon OSHA. Retrieved from: http://

www.cbs.state.or.us/osha/pdf/pubs/fact_sheets/fs27.pdf