SAFETY IN MICROBIOLOGY LABORTORY

SAJAD AHMAD
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Risk Assessment
Identify the hazards Deciding for actions Evaluating the hazards that cannot be removed Safety awareness

Objectives of laboratory health and safety program

Identify the hazards Prepare the code of safe laboratory practice Check for regulations being followed Promote safety awareness to ensure all laboratory accidents are reported and investigated promptly

Accidents in laboratory results in Injury, ill health Work being disrupted Loss of equipments Contamination of specimens Damage to the laboratory

General Factors that Contribute to Accidents

Inexperience and insufficient staff Rushing to finish work on time Heavy workload Untidy working Fatigue Loss of concentration

Remedies of Factors Contributing Accidents

Health and safety training Good lab practice and common sense Changing the attitude Increasing health and safety awareness Monitoring and improving working conditions

Guidelines for a Code of Safe Laboratory Practice

Safety signs and display of notices Maintain laboratory security How to keep laboratory clean Dispose of general waste Decontamination procedures Check the lab for structural damage Controlling the infestations

Ventilation of laboratory inspecting equipments for damage Rules for the storage Procedure for reporting of faults Sterilization procedures Regulations for safe packing and transport of specimen

Duties of Laboratory Safety Officer

Safe practices Make sure test methods are safe Observe for protective clothing Note for safety regulations Check for safety equipments Check for any structural defects Corridors and exits are not obstructed

Common Hazard in Laboratories

Unsafe laboratory premises Naked flames Microbial hazards Chemical hazards Glassware hazards Equipment hazards Explosion hazards Insect and rodent infestation Unreliable water supply
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Unsafe Laboratory Premise

Burns and inhalation of smoke during a fire Staff are injured by falling Risk of infection to staff and others Injury from chemicals Injury from equipments

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Naked flames

Injury from fire caused by matches, alcohol swabs and burners etc.

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Microbial Hazards
Pathogens are accidentally ingested Pathogens are accidentally inoculated Pathogens are accidentally inhaled

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Chemical Hazards
Toxic or harmful chemicals Flammable chemicals causing fire Corrosive chemicals causing injury and burns

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Glassware Hazards
By Damaged slides Picking up pieces of glass Broken pipettes Glass fragments left on the floor

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Equipment Hazards & Explosion Hazards

Electric shock Fire Injury from moving parts Injury from explosions

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Insect and Rodent Infestation

Damaged equipment causing injury Damaged to structure and furnishing of laboratory

Unreliable water supply

Contributing to infections

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Biohazards
An agent of biological origin that has the capacity to produce deleterious effects on humans, i.e. micro-organisms, toxins and allergens.

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BIOSAFETY
The application of combinations of laboratory practice and procedure, laboratory facilities, and safety equipment when working with potentially infectious micro-organisms.

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WHY BIOSAFETY PRACTICES?

Protection: workers products co-workers lab support personnel environment

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SAFE LABORATORY PREMISE AND PERSONAL SAFETY MEASURES

SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Laboratory

premise that is structurally sound. Adequate bench space and storage areas. Door at each end of laboratory. Sectioning of laboratory. Separate staff room. Safe electricity supply. Fire extinguishers. Use of safety signs and symbols.

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SAFE LABORATORY PREMISE AND PERSONAL SAFETY MEASURES

Personal health and safety measures:

Practice

of personal hygiene

Hand washing Covering any cuts Wearing close shoes Eating, drinking, smoking prohibited. Avoid jewelry.

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SAFE LABORATORY PREMISE AND PERSONAL SAFETY MEASURES

Protective clothing's:
Overall Gloves

Safety

goggles Face shields and dust masks

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Microbial Hazards

Laboratory acquired infections through the:

Skin

Eyes
Mouth Respiratory

Tract

Infection of the general public

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Classification of Infective Microorganisms

Risk Group 1 Risk Group 2 Risk Group 3 Risk Group 4

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Classification of laboratories

Bio-safety Level 1

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Bio-safety Level 2 Autoclave available Eyewash station available

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Containment biosafety level 3

Safety Equipment (Primary Barriers) BSL-1 and 2 Safety Equipment PLUS: Respiratory protection may be indicated

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Bio-safety Level 4
BSL 1, 2, and 3 Facilities PLUS: Emergency breathing air Emergency generator Emergency exit

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Bio-safety Level 4

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WORKING SAFELY

How aerosol are formed Pouring infectious material safely Opening cultures and ampoules safely Inoculating loops and safe looping out Safe use of syringes and needles

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Avoid infections by centrifugation accidents

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Biological spillages

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Biological Safety Cabinets

Purpose Product protection Personal protection Environmental protection

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Types A. Class I inward airflow protects worker exhaust to outside ( HEPA filter) B. Class II worker, product, environmental protection sterile work area use for work with aerosol-transmissible microorganisms use also for tissue culture/ virology C. Class III totally enclosed, ventilated, air-tight suitable for work with BSL3/4 agents

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Safe transport of specimens

From ward or OPD Between laboratories Postal transport regulations

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Packaging Label

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Decontamination of Infectious material and disposal of laboratory wastes

Methods Used for decontamination
Boiling
Autoclaving Chemical

disinfectants

Methods use to dispose of laboratory waste

Incineration Burial

in a deep pit
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Cleaning and sterilization of reusable items

The glassware Overall Bench surfaces Blades, forceps Wire loops Containers

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Chemical Hazards
Flammable Chemicals
Definition Classification

Examples
Safe

storage Safe use Control of fire involving flammable liquids

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Toxic, Harmful and Irritating Chemicals Definition Examples Safe storage and use Oxidizing chemicals Explosive Chemicals Environmentally dangerous chemicals

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Chemical Hazards
Corrosive Chemicals Definition Examples Safe storage and use Accidents involving corrosive chemicals

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Chemical spillages
Spilled on clothing Nonflammable chemicals Flammable chemicals solid chemicals

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Preventing accidents involving chemicals

Label clearly Keep out of direct sunlight Keep the laboratory well ventilated Always wash hand immediately Use hazards symbols Use of fire fighting equipments and eye wash bottles Never mouth pipette
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Equipment and Glassware Hazards

Preventing equipment related accidents Installation of equipment Use of electrical equipment Cleaning and inspection

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Preventing glassware related accidents:

Correct purchasing Safe handling Safe management of breakages

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Fire Safety

Fire fighting equipments Smoke detector alarm Fire alarm

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Fire extinguishers

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Guidelines to reduce the risk of fire Stop smoking Flammable chemicals Promote safety awareness Electrical equipments Unobstructed exits Accessible fire fighting equipments

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Emergency First Aid

Training Equipments First aid box

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Emergency Treatment
Cuts and bleeding
Small cut Serious bleeding Bleeding from nose

Person stops breathing Heart not beating Person faints Person electrocuted
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Heat burns Chemical burns of skin Chemical injury to eye Poisoning

Swallowing of acid or alkali

Swallowing of poisonous chemicals

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