Mersa ATVET college

Competence Based Learning Materials

Ethiopian TVET-System

Intermediate animal health service

Level III

Learning Guide #1

Unit of Competence: Assist in basic laboratory

Techniques and procedures

Module Title: Assisting in basic laboratory

Techniques and procedures

LG Code: AGR IAHS3 M03 LO1-01

By: Ambachew L/DVM/

Mersa ATVET college
Competence Based Learning Materials
Introduction
LO1:- Follow OHS practices
This learning guide is developed to provide you the necessary information regarding the following
content coverage and topics ---
Preparing for laboratory work
Cleaning up before leaving in laboratory
Knowing Essential Rules for Laboratory Safety
Knowing Personal protecting equipments
This guide will also assist you to attain the learning outcome stated in the cover page.
Specifically, upon completion of this Learning Guide, you will be able to ---
Work in accordance with occupational health and safety (OHS)
Checking Personal hygiene and cleanliness standards are maintained

Checking the presence of Personal protecting equipments

Checking how to use Personal protecting equipments

specimens from captive and wild animals are collected ethically and according to its procedure

Learning Activities
1. Read the specific objectives of this Learning Guide.
2. Read the information written in the Information Sheet 1.
3. Accomplish the Self-check 1 in page 12.
4. If you earned a satisfactory evaluation, proceed to Operation Sheet 1. However, if your rating is
unsatisfactory, see your teacher for further instructions.
5. Read the Operation Sheet 1 and try to understand the procedures discussed.
6. Submit your accomplished Self-check. This will form part of your training portfolio.
7. If you earned a satisfactory evaluation proceed to LAP Test.
However, if your rating is unsatisfactory, see your teacher for further instructions.
8 Do the LAP test in page 14 (if you are ready) and show your output to your teacher.

*Your teacher will evaluate your output either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. If unsatisfactory, your
teacher shall advice you on additional work. But if satisfactory you can proceed to the next topic.

By: Ambachew L/DVM/

 Mersa ATVET college
Competence Based Learning Materials

Information Sheet 1 Introduction to basic laboratory safety and procedures guidelines

1.1 Introduction to basic laboratory safety and procedures guidelines

Introduction to the laboratory

Veterinary laboratory is a place where different specimens for physical, biochemical and biological
examination tested and analyzed. Examination may be macroscopic or microscopic and it is performed
manually or using specialized instruments by aid of chemicals and reagents. Due to this, lab technicians
must have the skill to perform varies duties, including handling of different instruments, chemicals and
reagents with their use during lab work.
Every lab technician must aware of the potential danger of chemicals, electrical, biological hazard to
safe themselves and their partner during work. Keeping the living things in the vicinity and pollution of
environment from any lab hazard is on the hand of lab technician.
So, to avoid /minimize/ risk there is many safety regulations. Most problems may happen due to
carelessness, neglect and shortage of knowledge. Therefore, to avoid accidents, lab technicians and
students must follow all safety procedures in the lab.
A. Preparing for laboratory work
Before starting to work in a laboratory, familiarize yourself with the following:
The hazards of the materials in the lab, as well as appropriate safe handling, storage and

emergency protocols. Read labels and material safety data sheets (MSDSs) before moving,
handling or opening chemicals. Never use a product from an unlabeled container, and report
missing labels to your supervisor.
The agents, processes and equipment in the laboratory. If you are unsure of any aspect of a
procedure, check with your supervisor before proceeding.
the location and operation of safety and emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers, eye
wash and shower, first aid and spill response kits, telephone and emergency exits
emergency spill response procedures for the materials you will handle
emergency reporting procedures and telephone numbers
designated and alternate escape routes

B. During laboratory work

Restrict laboratory access to authorized persons only. Children are not permitted in lab
Smoking; eating; drinking; storing food, beverages or tobacco; applying cosmetics.

By: Ambachew L/DVM/

Mersa ATVET college
Competence Based Learning Materials
Wear lab coats (knee length) and safety glasses in laboratories employing chemicals, biohazards
or radioisotopes. Open shoes, such as sandals, should never be worn in the
Tie back or otherwise restrain long hair when working with chemicals, biohazards, radioisotopes,
or moving machinery.
Keep work places clean and free of unwanted chemicals, biological specimens, and unused

equipment. Avoid leaving reagent bottles, empty or full, on the floor.

Work only with materials or chemicals once you know their properties (flammability, reactivity,

and toxicity), safe handling and storage.

Prepare and maintain a chemical inventory for the lab.
Never pipette by mouth; use mechanical transfer devices.
Walk; do not run, in the lab.
Keep exits and passageways clear at all times.
Ensure that access to emergency equipment (first aid boxes, safety showers and fire
extinguishers) is not blocked.
Report accidents and dangerous incidents ("near-misses") promptly to your supervisor
Wash your hands thoroughly before leaving the laboratory.
Perform procedures that liberate infectious bio-aerosols in a biological safety cabinet.
Handle all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious.
C. Cleaning up before leaving
Perform a safety check at the end of each experiment and before leaving the lab. Make sure to
Turn off gas, water, electricity and any other heating apparatus
Return unused materials, equipment and apparatus to their proper storage locations
Label, package and dispose of all waste material properly
Remove defective or damaged equipment immediately, and arrange to have it repaired or
replaced
Decontaminate any equipment or work areas that may have been in contact with hazardous
materials.
Do not leave with your protective clothing (lab coats, gloves, etc.) when leaving the laboratory
Close and lock the door to the laboratory if you are the last one to leave

D. Essential Rules for Laboratory Safety

Always:
o Familiarize yourself with laboratory safety
o Wear eye protection
o Dress sensibly
o Wash your hands before leaving laboratory
o Read the instructions carefully before starting any experiment
o Check that the apparatus is assembled correctly
o Keep your working area tidy
By: Ambachew L/DVM/
Mersa ATVET college
Competence Based Learning Materials
o Attend to spills immediately
o Ask your instructor if any doubt
Never:
Eat or drink in laboratory
Smoke in laboratory
Inhale, taste or sniff chemicals
Run in the laboratory
Work alone
Carry out unauthorized experiments
Heat a flammable liquid in an open container
Pour flammable liquids from one container into another with few meter distance of a flame
Working considerations
Use always the same notebook to record the laboratories activities; it is better if you have one
for this particular activity
In the laboratory work, with an open inquiring mind, record on your laboratory notebook what
you actually observe. A good scientist is, first of all, a careful observer
Whenever possible, each determination must be done at least three times and the average
results taken
The experimental work is to be done as independently as possible
Follow instruction carefully. Write down any instruction which involves alteration or
modification of the procedure
As you work, ask yourself questions, consult the laboratory instructors to clarify your doubts.
It is not advisable to become adventurous in the laboratory.
Student should be checked out by the laboratory instructors. And the end of the laboratory
session each team of students should clean their bench top and submit results of the experiment
to the instructor
The posters in the laboratory walls should be read carefully and are to be observed strictly.
Procedures in case of accidents
1. Do not panic. The most important first action after an accident is the care of the individual. If the
person is injured, provide of seek aid immediately.
2. Even if the accident or injury is regarded as minor, notify your instructor at once. A written report
of accidents may be required. Check with your laboratory instructor.

By: Ambachew L/DVM/

Mersa ATVET college
Competence Based Learning Materials
3. Wash your hands often during the laboratory. Always wash your hands before leaving the
laboratory and your arms and face immediately thereafter in the washroom. Toxic or dangerous
chemicals may be inadvertently transferred to the mouth.
4. Whenever your skin (hands, arms, face, etc.) comes in to contact with chemicals, quickly flush the
affected area for several minutes with tap water followed by though washing with soap and water.
Get help immediately. Do not rub the affected area, especially the face or eyes, with your hand
before washing.
5. Chemical spills over a large part of the body require immediate action. Using the safety shower,
flood the affected area for at least 5 minutes. Remove all contaminated clothing if necessary. Use a
mild reagent and water only (no creams, lotions, etc.). Get medical attention.
6. In case of fire, discharge a fire extinguisher at the base of the flame and move it from one side to
the other. Small flame can be smothered with a watch glass (do not use a towel, it may catch on
fire). Do not discharge a fire extinguisher when a person's clothing is on fire-use the safety shower.
7. For abrasions or cuts, flush the affected area with water. Any further treatment should be given
only after consulting with the laboratory instructor.
8. For burns, the affected area should be rubbed with ice, submerged in an ice/water bath, and/or
placed under running water for several minutes to remove the heat from the burned area.

9. Treat the chemical spills with in the laboratory as follows :

Alert your neighbours and the laboratory instructors.
Clean up the spills as directed by the laboratory instructor.
If the substance is volatile, flammable, or toxic, warn everyone of the accident.

Information Sheet 2 Personal protective equipments

1.2. Personal protecting equipments

I. Eye and face protection
All students, staff, faculty and visitors must wear appropriate eye and/or facial protection in the
following:
All areas where hazardous materials, or substances of an unknown nature, are stored, used or
handled
All areas where the possibility of splash, flying objects, moving particles and/or rupture exist
All areas where there are other eye hazards, e.g. UV or laser light

By: Ambachew L/DVM/

Mersa ATVET college
Competence Based Learning Materials
Instructions for selection and use of protective eyewear are as follows:
Work with significant risk of splash of chemicals, or projectiles: - goggles.
Work with significant risk of splash on face, or possible explosion: - full face shield, plus
goggles.
If safety glasses with correction lenses are needed, first consult with your optometrist or
ophthalmologist.
A) Eye goggle B) Face mask
I. Lab coats
Appropriate protective clothing (e.g., lab coats, aprons, and coveralls) is required in all experimental
areas where hazardous materials are handled.
Instructions for selection and use of protective laboratory clothing are as follows:
Select knee-length lab coats with button or snap closures
Wear protective aprons for special procedures such as transferring large volumes of corrosive
material working in x-ray room.
Remove protective clothing when leaving the laboratory
Remove protective clothing in the event of visible or suspected contamination.

Hand protection
In the laboratory, gloves are used for protection from radiation, chemical products, bio- hazardous
material and physical hazards such as abrasion, tearing, puncture and exposure to temperature
extremes.
A. Latex gloves and skin reactions
Natural latex is derived from the sap of the rubber tree and contains rubber polymers, carbohydrates,
lipids, phospholipids and proteins. During the manufacturing process additional chemical agents are
added to impart elasticity, flexibility and durability to the latex. Because of these properties, and
because of their high tactile strength and low cost, latex gloves are used for many laboratory

By: Ambachew L/DVM/

Mersa ATVET college
Competence Based Learning Materials
procedures. Unfortunately, for some people, wearing latex gloves can cause skin reactions; these can
be either irritant or allergic in nature, and can be caused by:
chronic irritation from sweating of hands inside gloves or from gloves rubbing against the
skin
sensitization to the chemical additives used in the manufacturing process
reaction to naturally-occurring latex proteins
Using one of the following alternatives may reduce the risk of skin problems associated with the use
of latex rubber gloves:
Non-latex gloves
Non-powdered or low-protein latex gloves
Cloth liners under latex gloves
Non-latex gloves under latex gloves
Occurrences of skin problems (e.g., rash, itching, peeling, red, blistering skin or dry flaking skin with
cracks and sores) that seem to be associated with the wearing of latex gloves should be reported to a
physician when symptoms first appear.
Guidelines for glove use include the following:
Choose a glove that provides adequate protection from the specific hazard(s).
Be aware that some glove materials may cause adverse skin reactions in some individuals
and investigate alternatives.
Inspect gloves for leakage before using; test rubber and synthetic gloves by inflating them.
Ensure that the gloves are long enough to cover the skin between the top of the glove and the
sleeve of the lab coat.
Discard worn or torn gloves.
Discard disposable gloves that are, or may have become contaminated.
Avoid contaminating "clean" equipment: remove gloves and wash hands before carrying out
tasks such as using the telephone.
Always wash your hands after removing gloves, even if they appear not to be contaminated.
Do not reuse disposable gloves.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning and maintenance of reusable gloves.
Before using gloves, learn how to remove them without touching the contaminated outer
surface with your hands.
Figure3. Hand protection
II. Respirators

By: Ambachew L/DVM/

Mersa ATVET college
Competence Based Learning Materials
Respirators should be used only in emergency situations (e.g. hazardous spills or leaks) or when other
measures, such as ventilation, cannot adequately control exposures.
There are two classes of respirators: air-purifying and supplied-air. The latter supply clean air from a
compressed air tank or through an air line outside the work area, and are used in oxygen-deficient
atmospheres or when gases or vapours with poor warning properties are present in dangerous
concentrations.
Air-purifying respirators are suitable for many laboratory applications and remove particulates (dusts,
micro-organisms, metal fumes etc.) or gases and vapours from the surrounding air.
Selection, use and care of respirators
Follow proper procedures for selecting and using respiratory protective equipment. Correct use of a
respirator is as vital as choosing the right respirator. An effective program for respiratory protection
should include the following:
Written standard operating procedures and training.
Selecting a respirator that is suitable for the application. Consult the Experienced personnel
or the Environmental Safety Office if any before purchasing and using a respirator.
Assigning respirators to individuals for their exclusive use, whenever possible.
Fit-testing: evaluation of facial fit for all users of respirators; beards, long sideburns, glasses
or the wrong size of respirator may prevent an effective seal between the wearer's face and
the respirator.
Protocols for using, cleaning and sanitary storage of respirators.
Regular inspection of the respirator, and replacement of defective parts.
Medical surveillance, before an individual is assigned to work in an area where respirators
are required, to verify the person's ability to function under increased breathing resistance.

Self Check 1 Written Test

Name:___________________ Date:_________________

Directions: Answer all the questions listed below. Illustrations may be necessary to aid
some explanations/answers.

1. What is OHS (3pts)

2. How to prepare your self to work in the laboratory (5pts)?
3. What is the use of PPE? List at least three uses.(3pts)
4. Describe the Rules of Laboratory Safety (5pts)

By: Ambachew L/DVM/

Mersa ATVET college
Competence Based Learning Materials
Note: Satisfactory rating 50% above / Unsatisfactory - below 50%. You can ask you teacher for the
copy of the correct answers.

Operation Sheet 1 occupational health and safety (OHS)

Operation sheet -1
Operation title Following OHS practices
Procedures
1. Handle tools, equipments and materials properly.
2. Use appropriate PPE.
3. Do not use damaged equipments.
4. Check and clean the equipments before and after conducting any laboratory activities and return
them into their proper storage place.

Self Check 2 Written Test

Name:____________________ Date:_________________

Instruction: Answer all the questions listed below, if you have some clarifications- feel free to ask your
teacher
1 What is OHS stands for? (2pts)
2 List at lest 3 laboratory equipments (3pts)
3 If you encountered any accidents in the laboratory what did you do? (3pt)
Practical Demonstration and Knowledge
LAP Test
Name: ___________________________________ Date: ______________________
Time started: ________________ Time finished: _______________

Instructions: You are required to perform the following individually with the presence of your teacher.

1. Write at least three PPE?

2. Demonstrate how to use PPE?
3. Disscus the safety rules to be taken during laboratory work?
Your teacher will evaluate your output either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. If unsatisfactory,
your teacher shall advice you on additional work. But if satisfactory, you can proceed to the
next topic

By: Ambachew L/DVM/

Mersa ATVET college
Competence Based Learning Materials

By: Ambachew L/DVM/