LABORATORY SAFETY

 

LABORATORY SAFETY

Laboratory safety is a vital component of functioning of all laboratories.

Laboratory safety can be ensured by:

1. Proper handling of pipette, syringe and needle, specimen container, tube etc.

2. Proper use of clothing, limiting access of unauthorized persons in laboratory and dealing appropriately with  

    laboratory accidents.

3. Proper decontamination of a. Skin, b. Cuts, c. Clothing, d. Work surface.

4. Taking preventive measures

    against laboratory infections.

Laboratory safety measures are aimed to protect workers, patients and microbial cultures.

 

Following measures should be taken:

1.      Ensure adequate sterilization before washing materials or disposing waste.

2.      Provide proper receptacle with disinfectant for contaminated glassware, disposable

3.      Provide safety hood

4.      Ensure that specimens are handled and disposed off properly.

5.      Handle sharp objects carefully.

6.      Promote use of gloves, regular hand washing and cleaning of bench top.

7.      Provide mechanical pipetting devices.

8.      Provide special disposal containers for needles and lancets.

9.      A fire extinguisher and a first aid box should be readily available; the first aid box should contain at least: cotton wool, gauze, adhesive plaster, soap solution, 5% acetic acid, 2% sodium bicarbonate, saturated solution of boric acid, 2% mercurochrome solution, burnol and tincture benzoin.

10.  Aprons should be used to prevent spoiling of clothes by acids, stainful materials and other caustic chemicals.

11.  Eye glasses are necessary when splattering of substances is a possibility.

12.  Mask should be used when necessary.

13.  Solids should always be transferred from one container to another with spatula or tongs.

14.  Disposable syringes and needles are to be used and properly disposed.

15.  Nose, eyes, ears and mouth should never be touched with unwashed hands.

16.  All reagents without labels are to be discarded

17.  Bottles should be carried by holding on the body not on the neck.

 

Measures for decontamination:

Skin: Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water. Do not use detergent or abrasive materials.

           Do not abrade or damage the skin.

Cuts: Irrigate with water taking care to prevent the spread of contamination from one area to another.

Clothing: Remove the contaminated garments immediately and place in a container.

 

Decontamination of working surface:

1.      Flood the spillage area and the broken container with disinfectants (usually double the volume).

2.      Leave undisturbed for 10 minutes and mop with cotton wool or absorbent paper.

3.      Wear disposable gloves, apron and goggles while cleaning the spillage.

4.      Disinfect the used dustpan, brush or forceps.

5.      Use hypochlorite solution (10gm/L) for blood or urine.

6.      Do not use hypochlorite solution in centrifuges.

7.      For viral decontamination use activated gluteraldehyde (20g/L) on surface.

 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT OF LABORATORY WASTE:

The laboratory waste material may be a source of many infections, so they should be decontaminated before disposal. Incineration followed by burial is the best away of managing laboratory waste.

 

Decontamination can be made as follows:

 

1. Samples (blood/serum/plasma/CSF/body fluids/urine/sputum/stool/tissue etc.)

a.       Autoclave the samples with container

b.      If not possible, sample should be disinfected chemically with one litre of 2500ppm hypochlorite solution or 5% phenol for 24 hours

 

2. Disposable syringe

a.       Always use disposable syringe

b.      Separate the needle from the syringe body immediately after use.

c.       Use needle crusher to crush needle and break the neck of the syringe.

d.      Dispose off syringe body and needle separately into proper waste basket.

 

3. Culture materials

a.       Autoclave the culture materials with petri dishes

b.      Clean the petri dish with detergents and dry before reuse

c.       If not possible, boil for 30 minutes before disposal

4. Slides

a.       If oil is present over slide, wipe off the oil with tissue soaked in disinfectants

b.      Boil for 20 minutes or place in 2500 ppm chlorine for overnight or at least one hour

 

5.Pipettes:

a.       Soak in 2500-ppm chlorine for at least one hour in sufficiently tall container to allow complete immersion and expel air bubbles.

b.      Do not overcrowd the container.

c.       Wash reusable pipettes in detergent, rinse well in water and drain to dry.

d.      Dispose disposable pipettes by burial.

 

6. Tubes, petri dishes and other glass and plastic ware:

a.       Soak in 2500-ppm chlorine to allow complete immersion and expel air bubble.

b.      Boil for 30 minutes.

c.       Do not overload the container.

d.      Wash in detergent using a test tube brush, rinse well in water and drain dry, facing downward.

 

7. Bench surface:

a.       Use 70% alcohol at the end of each working day.

b.      Use 5% chlorine solution specially in case of mycobacteria

 

8. Spillages:

a.       Soak up any spillage of infectious material by cloth soaked in 10,000-ppm chlorine.

 

9. Wire loops, blades, end of forceps:

a.       Flame until red hot.

b.      Allow to cool before use.

Preparation of chlorine releasing products:

Sodium hypochlorite	1000ppm Benches hand gloves	2500ppm Discard jar	10000ppm Spillages
5% solution.	20ml in 1L D/W*	50ml in 1L D/W*	200ml in 1L D/W*
10% solution	10ml in 1L D/W*	25ml in 1L D/W*	100ml in 1L D/W*

*D/W-Distilled Water

PERSONAL SAFETY IN THE LABORATORY

1.      Laboratory coats/aprons should be worn always in the laboratory.

2.      Gloves should be worn as needed.

3.      Mouth pipetting is forbidden: mechanical pipetting devices are to be used.

4.      Eating, drinking, smoking, handling contact lenses, applying cosmetics are not permitted in working areas. These shall be done only in well-defined and designated areas.

5.      Foods, drinks and gums are prohibited in the laboratory. Food should not be stored in the same refrigerator with chemicals, biohazard or radioactive materials. Food is to be stored outside the work area in Cabinets or Refrigerators designated and used for this purpose only.

6.      Primary barriers should be used as appropriate such as splash shields, face protection and eye protection.

7.      Wearing of open sandals, open slippers or walking on bare foot are not permitted due to dangers of broken glass, corrosive liquid spills and other toxic or poisonous chemicals in the laboratory.

8.      Use fume hoods when handling volatile chemicals at all times.

9.      Wash hands after handling any laboratory materials, after removing gloves and

before leaving the laboratory.

10.  Avoid having long hair and loose sleeves. Hair must be tied. Cuffs, rings, bracelets should not be in close proximity to open flames or when operating electrical machines.

11.  Keep exposed skin covered. Shorts and open laced shoes should not be worn in the laboratory.

      

      12.  Policy for safe handling of sharps are to be instituted.

13.  All procedures are to be carefully performed to minimize splashes or spills.

14.  Work surfaces are to be decontaminated before and after each experimentation and after spill of any viable material.

15.  Immunizations against infectious diseases should be taken such as hepatitis, tetanus etc.

16.  Be aware of all ignition sources in your laboratory area (open flames, heat, electrical equipment etc.)

17.  Fire Safety Protocol should be installed and follow as per national and international rules.