PREFINAL ● Ensure that the workplace is safe

Management of Laboratory Operations

ROLE OF THE EMPLOYER

OBJECTIVE OF POLICY & PROCEDURE
● Make sure that the employees have proper
MANUAL
training, support, equipment (safety
equipment), workload, enough manpower,
Policies
available & accessible resources &
● Are general statements of understanding which
environment
guide, or channel thinking & action in decision
● Ensure that the workplace is safe
making
● It provides channels or gateways in order to
STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS
probe our critical thinking & analysis skills
Safety factors should be considered in the design &
layout of the building
Procedures
1. Entrance & exit route
● Are plans that establish a required method of
2. Blockage of hallways & doors
handling future activities
3. Location of sprinklers & fire extinguishers
● Are truly guides to action, rather than to
4. Storage of flammable materials
thinking, & they detail the exact manner in which
5. Ventilation system
a certain activity must be accomplished
The following must be considered in the floor plan
Staffing Process
layout & workplace design
● The setting of a long-term goals & objectives
1. Separate clinical & administrative offices from
for the number & types of personnel needed
areas with hazardous materials
to meet the labor requirements of the laboratory
2. There should be a system in the delivery &
storage of potentially hazardous materials
Scheduling Process
3. There should be a proper ventilation system
● matching the people presently working in the
4. Accessibility of special safety equipment fume
laboratory with current workload requirement
hoods & first aid stations

GENERAL COMMENTS ON STAFFING &

HAZARDS & RISKS IN THE
SCHEDULING
● Based on the practice of 8-hour shifts which LABORATORY
depend upon the demand & the availability of
personnel HAZARD
● Largest number of personnel is assigned - it is something that has the potential to cause
during the first 8-hour periods harm
● Provision is made to increase staff during the RISK
night shift especially in times of emergency - is the degree of likelihood of a hazard causing
harm
Rotation Plan of the Staff
● Determine the day-off schedule CATEGORIES OF RISK:
● Be aware of the schedule of leave: sick, A. Low risk Category
maternity, vacation, emergency, or absence w/o B. Moderate risk Category
leave C. High risk Category
● Note the availability of reliever
● Determine the rotation HAZARDS IN THE LABORATORY: (BSCREFP)
A. Biological Hazards
B. Sharp Hazards
SAFETY MANAGEMENT C. Chemical Hazards
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY (OSH D. Radioactive Hazards
TRAINING) E. Electrical Hazards
F. Fire / Explosive Hazards
SAFETY MANAGEMENT G. Physical Hazards
- Safety protocols are provided by the
employers to the workers or employees A. Biological Hazards
- are also known as Biohazards
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY (OSH - refer to biological substances that pose a
TRAINING) threat to the health of living organisms, primarily
● a cross-disciplinary area concerned with that of humans
protecting the health & safety of people - they also pertain to: Infectious agents / materials
engaged in work / employment - are caused by microorganisms
- To prevent infection, one must know how
ROLE OF THE INDIVIDUAL organisms are transmitted
● Must always be responsible for their safety - POSSIBLE INJURIES: Bacterial, Fungal, Viral,
● Must follow the rules & use equipment Parasitic infections
properly - Epidemiologic Triad:
 ● Source Methods of Compliance / Protective Measure &
- location of potentially harmful Procedure
organism 1. Adoption of universal precaution policy
- PREVENTION: 2. Engineering & work practice controls
➔ Hand washing 3. Personal protective equipment
➔ Biohazardous waste 4. Housekeeping techniques
disposal
➔ Decontamination Universal Precaution
➔ Specimen bagging All human blood, tissue & most fluids are treated as
● Transmission if known to be infectious for HIV, HBV, & other blood
- Direct contact borne pathogens
- Indirect Contact Proper Wearing (DONNING) & Removing (DOFFING)
- Vector-borne of PPE
- Inhalation of Infected materials 1. Barrier protection
- Air-borne 2. Gloves
- Droplet 3. Face Protection
- Ingestion 4. Protective Body clothing
- PREVENTION: 5. Wash hands
➔ Hand washing 6. Avoid accidental injuries
➔ Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 7. Proper disposal
➔ Aerosol Prevention
➔ Sterile / Disposable Equipment
➔ Pest control
● Host
- becomes another source
- PREVENTION:
➔ Standard Precaution
➔ Immunization
➔ OSHA guidelines
➔ Healthy lifestyle
➔ Exposure Control Plan
➔ Post-exposure Prophylaxis
B. Sharp Hazards
CHAIN OF INFECTION - They can create a cut in the skin which allows
1. Infectious Agent contact between blood, or fluids
- it is an organism that cause a harmful - The risk of infection after exposure to infected
infection & may make a person ill it consist of blood varies by blood borne pathogen
bacteria, fungi, parasites, & viruses - They also pertain to: Needles, Lancets, Broken
2. Reservoir glass
- this is where germs live & grow - POSSIBLE INJURIES: Cuts, Punctures, or
- it is the origin of agent Blood-borne pathogen exposure
- it is the location of any living organism or
inanimate matter in which an infectious agent C. Chemical Hazards
normally lives & multiples on which the agent - Refer to the substance/s that has the
depends primarily for survival, & reproduces - Potential to cause harm to life or health
itself in such manner that it can be transmitted to - Chemicals are widely used in the home & in
a susceptible host many other places
3. Portal of Exit - They also pertain to: Preservatives & Reagents
- this is the time that germs need to find a way to - POSSIBLE INJURY: Exposure to toxic,
get out in the infected person so that it can carcinogenic, or caustic agents
spread
- it is the way to exit the reservoir to continue the Right to know Regulations
chain of infection Occupational Safety & Health Administration
4. Mode of Transmission (OSHA)
- when the germs are ready to spread it will find - The government agency responsible for
a way to infect one person to another example is developing & Enforcing regulations governing
your hands, mouth, & nose safety in the workplace
- Ex: Direct Contact, Indirect Contact, Vector- - Assures that there is a safe & helpful working
Borne, Air-Bone, Droplet conditions
5. Portal of Entry Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
- germs needs to find a way to infect a target - A document required by OSHA detailing
host it includes the mucous membranes of the safety information about each hazardous
nose, mouth, and eyes, breaks in the skin, & substance
open wound - Instructions or information written in MSDS
depends on the manufacturer
- information contained in an MSDS includes the
ff:
 - Physical & Chemical characteristics
- Fire & Explosion Potential
- Reactivity Potential
- Health Hazards & Emergency First Aid
Procedures
- Methods for Safe Handling & Disposal
- Primary Routes of Entry
- Exposure Limits & Carcinogenic Potential

CHEMICAL SPILLS
1. If there’s skin contact: flush the area with large
amount of water
2. Remove contaminated clothing

CHEMICAL LABELING
1. Poisonous
2. Corrosive
3. Carcinogenic
4. Flammable

CHEMICAL HANDLING
1. Chemicals should never be mixed together
2. Chemicals should be added in the order D. Radioactive Hazards
specified in the instruction - Refers to the exposure to very high levels of
3. Prepare reagents under fume hood radiation, such as being close to an atomic
4. Do not pipette by mouth blast, which can cause acute health effects such
as skin burns & acute radiation syndrome
CHEMICAL STORAGE - They also pertain to: Equipment &
- The most important rule: to make sure that any Radioisotopes
chemicals or wastes stored together are - The amount of radioactivity present in the
compatible with each other laboratory is very small & not dangerous,
- NEVER store the following types of wastes near however the effects of radiation are cumulative
each other: related to the amount of exposure
➔ Acids & bases reagents - Persons exposed to the radioactive hazards are
➔ Organics & acids required to wear a film badge
➔ Cyanide, sulfide, or arsenic compounds - POSSIBLE INJURY: Radiation exposure
& acids E. Electrical Hazards
➔ Alkali or Alkali earth metals, alkyllithiums, 2 MAJOR HAZARDS IN THE LABORATORY:
& aqueous waste 1. Physical harm from shocks or burns when a
➔ Powdered or reactive metals & person comes into contact with an electrical
combustible material sources
➔ Mercury or silver & ammonium 2. Dangers from fire caused by heat & sparks
containing compound generated by malfunctioning wiring or equipment

HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM Recommended Safeguards from National Fire

- This symbol system is utilized to inform the fire Protection Association (NFPA)
fighters of the hazard that they may - Extension cords adapters should not be used
encounter inside the laboratory - Equipment should not be operated with wet
- Developed by National Fire Protection hands
Association (NFPA) - Report dangerous conditions such as frayed
- diamond shaped, color coded symbol show cords & overloaded circuits to the appropriate
magnitude of severity from 0-4 persons
- Circuit breakers should be labeled &
conveniently located
- Electrical equipment should not be used in areas
with flammable materials
- There should be a constant electrical safety
checks

Recommended Procedures in Dealing with Electrical

accidents
- Never directly touch a person who is in contact
with a live wire or equipment
- Unplug the electrical source
- Separate the victim from the live wire by using
nonconductors like wood & plastic
 - Protect victim from clinical shock by covering LABORATORY SAFETY MANAGEMENT
him with coat until help arrives A. Solid Waste solid.
- Any solid, liquid, semi-sold or contained gaseous
- Are hazards wherein when a dangerous material that is discarded, abandoned, recycled,
condition such that a contact or equipment or is an inherently waste like material
failure, can result in electric shock, arc-flash B. Non-hazardous Waste
burn, thermal burn, or blast - are those that pose no immediate threat to
- They also pertain to: Ungrounded or wet human health & the environment
equipment, frayed cords - Ex: Household garbage
- POSSIBLE INJURIES: Burns or Shock WASTE MANAGEMENT
A. Biodegradable Waste
F. Fire / Explosive Hazards - originates from plant or animal sources, which
- are workplace hazards that either involves the may be broken down by other living organisms
presence of a flame, increase the probability that B. Non-biodegradable Waste
an uncontrolled fire will occur, or increase the - cannot be broken down by other living
severity of a fire should one occur organisms
- They also pertain to: Open flames, organic C. Hazardous Waste
chemicals - potential threat to human health or the
- POSSIBLE INJURIES: Burns or dismemberment environment when improperly treated, stored,
G. Physical Hazards transported & disposed
- are hazards that are factors or conditions within PROPER DISPOSAL OF LABORATORY WASTE
the environment that can harm your health A. Laboratory Waste
- They also pertain to: Wet floors, Heavy boxes, 1. Chemical Waste
Patients - if the chemical waste is not hazardous: dispose
- POSSIBLE INJURIES: Falls, Sprains, or Strains in trash or in sink
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS: 2. Regulated Hazardous Waste
1. Avoid running in the workplace - if the waste can be neutralized or destroyed
2. Watch for wet floors neutralize first: then dispose in the sink
3. Keep long hair pulled back - if the waste can't be neutralized: collect in
4. Avoid dangling jewelry hazardous waste containers, then contact
5. Use closed-toe shoes licensed disposal company

MANAGEMENT OF SAFETY B. Radioactive Waste

- Safety equipment should be available in the 1. If the half-life of the radioactive waste is < 90
laboratory shower, eyewash fountains, fire days
extinguisher, fume hood, fire alarm - decay in storage
- The following items should be available first aid - dispose in trash or in sink
kit, chemical spill control kit, fire blankets, safety 2. Half-life - 90 days
goggles, face shields, gloves - contact licensed disposal company

Responsibility C. Biological Waste

1. Safety committee 1. Sharps
- assigned to overall development & - contact licensed disposal company
monitoring of safety management 2. Animal carcasses
program - should be incinerated
2. Safety officer 3. Infectious waste
- in charge with the Implementation & day-to- day - blood, blood products, pathology waste products
management of the safely program & microbiological waste
- should be autoclaved or incinerated before the
The safety Management Program waste is disposed in color coded container with
1. Policy & procedures biohazard symbol, or in sink
- All aboratories should have safety manual
2. Communications
- to make sure that the person working a
hazardous substance has the information,
proper training to perform the job
3. Disaster plan
- emergency plan should be established for fire
evacuation
4. Safety audits & inspections
- safety inspection & drill should be conducted
periodically
5. Accident investigation & accident prevention
- there should be reporting system for accidents in
lab