Fundamental of Laboratory Safety in lab

Fundamental of Laboratory Safety in lab

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2. 2 FUNDAMENTALS OF LABORATORY SAFETY COURSE OVERVIEW The goal of this course is to orient you to hazards you may encounter while working in a clinical or public health laboratory, ways to mitigate risks, and the proper response to incidents. The course is divided into seven chapters: Chapter 1 - Introduction Chapter 2 - Laboratory Hazards Chapter 3 - Safety Resources Chapter 4 - Risk Management Chapter 5 - Laboratory Work Practices Chapter 6 - Incidents and Near Misses Chapter 7 - Emergency Procedures and Reporting COURSE OBJECTIVES At the end of this course, you will be able to: Recognize laboratory hazards and identify safety resources. Describe how risk assessment and control measures are used to mitigate risks. Recognize incidents and near misses in the laboratory and how to report them

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4. 4 INTRODUCTION LABORATORY CULTURE OF SAFETY Laboratory safety is not an endpoint goal. Instead, laboratory safety is a constant culture that requires the commitment, dedication, and continual improvement of its members to function. This healthy and functioning culture of safety is one where: Monitoring and reporting are valued, Reporting can be done anonymously and without fear of retaliation, Issues are rapidly and openly addressed as they are identified, and Efficient systems are put in place to prevent a safety issue or near miss from becoming a safety incident. In a culture of laboratory safety, laboratory members thrive in a growth and learning environment where they can work together on local safety committees, suggest improvements for laboratory procedures or best practices, and to practice good safety habits on a daily basis.

5. 5 INTRODUCTION PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORIES Public health laboratories perform the following core public health and environmental activities in order to protect our health: The vast majority of public health reference tests Disease prevention, control, and surveillance Population-based interventions Communication with healthcare providers on appropriate patient care Emergency response efforts The staff members, hazards, and control measures within laboratories vary. This course serves as a general safety orientation to all laboratory staff members, but there are concepts presented that are more prevalent in some laboratories than others. .

6. 6 INTRODUCTION BIOSAFETY AND CONTAINMENT Clinical and public health laboratories work every day to keep the public safe. The nature of a laboratory job and the materials and chemicals in the laboratory, remind staff how important it is to maintain a culture of safety. Containment is a key concept of biosafety that helps to lower or mitigate the risk of exposure to infectious organisms in the laboratory. General biosafety and containment principles are explained in this course. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR LABORATORY STAFF MEMBERS This Fundamentals of Laboratory Safety Training course may be just one of the courses you will need to work in the laboratory. Your laboratory supervisor will tell you if there are other required courses, immunizations, or testing in order to complete your training.

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8. 8 LABORATORY HAZARDS INTRODUCTION A hazard is any potential source of harm or adverse health effect. Laboratories are hazardous workplaces. It is important to be aware of the hazards before working in a laboratory. Select each of the major types of hazards below to learn more.

9. 9 LABORATORY HAZARDS BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS Biological hazards refer to biological substances that are a source of harm to the health of living organisms. Specific biohazards in the laboratory include infectious pathogens such as  SARS-CoV-2, Staphylococcus aureus , Haemophilus influenzae , Neisseria meningitidis , and potential exposure to human blood or body fluids . CHEMICAL HAZARDS Hazardous chemicals are any chemical that is a: Health hazard (e.g., toxic, irritant, etc.) Physical hazard (e.g., flammable, corrosive, etc.) Simple asphyxiant (replaces normal oxygen levels in the air) Combustible dust (dust that can catch fire when it contacts the air) Pyrophoric gas (can spontaneously combust in temperatures less than 130°F (54°C) Hazard not otherwise classified Hazardous chemicals in the laboratory include formaldehyde, dichloromethane, acetonitrile, hydrochloric acid, methanol, and many disinfectants.

10. 10 LABORATORY HAZARDS PHYSICAL HAZARDS Physical hazards include environmental hazards that may cause harm with or without contact. Specific physical hazards in the laboratory include robotic equipment, poor ergonomic practices, extreme heat, extreme cold, sharps, and high-voltage electricity.   Sharps, like needles and scalpels used in clinical situations, can present biological hazards when they have been in contact with blood, tissues, or other potentially infectious materials. Being pierced by a contaminated sharp could introduce a biological hazard directly into the body.   RADIOACTIVE HAZARDS Radioactive hazards typically refer to radiation caused by unstable atoms that emit off particles and energy to reach a more stable state. These particles and energy cause changes in the exposed cells, and more specifically, the DNA molecules inside of cells. Radioactive hazards in the laboratory include irradiators and various radionuclides used in a variety of biomedical research applications. ANIMAL HAZARDS Animal hazards are associated with the care and use of research animals. Specific animal hazards in the laboratory include bites, scratches, allergens, zoonoses , and general safety hazards associated with working with animals.

11. 11 LABORATORY HAZARDS SIGNAGE Your laboratory likely has a sign at the entry door. It may show all the hazard categories found inside the laboratory and the requirements, like special personal protective equipment (PPE), permission, or training, you need to enter the laboratory. Your supervisor can give you more information about the specific hazards in the laboratory and additional requirements beyond this training course you will need for your work.   The signage format may differ based on your laboratory. Laboratory signage often includes the following elements:   Room number Emergency contacts with names and phone numbers Biological Safety Level (BSL) or Animal Biological Safety Level (ABSL) designation and biohazard symbol Major chemical hazard classifications Entry requirements, such as PPE and vaccinations Additional hazards, including physical hazards like high voltage, laser, ultraviolet (UV) light, and radiation

12. 12 LABORATORY HAZARDS SIGNAGE GRAPHIC The graphic below represents a general laboratory space. Click each numbered text below to see some of the hazards in their locations.

13. 13 LABORATORY HAZARDS LABORATORY 2 SIGNAGE GRAPHIC Click on each of the six placard elements for ABSL-2 Laboratory. Not all clinical or public health laboratories will have animal research facilities. If a BSL-2 animal research laboratory is located near your laboratory, you will see signage similar to the one on this page.

14. 14 LABORATORY HAZARDS COMMONLY SHARED AREAS Multiple BSL-2 laboratories may share equipment and space in common areas. Commonly shared locations contain large, more expensive equipment that may be used by multiple laboratories in the department. Maintaining good housekeeping and using best safe laboratory practices according to Laboratory SOPs is especially important when sharing equipment or space with multiple employees to avoid risks such as injury or specimen contamination. Commonly shared locations include: Corridors with Longitudinal or Linear Equipment Rooms (LERs) Dry ice and liquid nitrogen storage areas Walk-in freezers and refrigerators Chemical storage rooms (inside and outside labs) Compressed gas storage Autoclave rooms Freezer rooms

15. 15 LABORATORY HAZARDS LABORATORY 1 SIGNAGE GRAPHIC Click on each of the eight placard elements for BSL-2 Laboratory. After you complete the interaction, click the Back button to return. Biosafety levels are a set of containment precautions required to isolate biological agents. The levels of containment range from the lowest biosafety level 1 (BSL-1) to the highest at level 4 (BSL-4). At the lowest level of biosafety, precautions consist of regular hand-washing and minimal protective equipment. At higher biosafety levels, precautions include airflow systems, multiple containment rooms, sealed containers, positive pressure personnel suits, protocols for all procedures, personnel training, and high levels of security to control access to the facility. As shown in the example, BSL-2 laboratories are intended for work with microorganisms causing diseases of varying severity; procedures involve an increased risk of aerosol generation and the use of sharps, requiring use of PPE (splash shields, face protection, gloves, lab coats or gowns) and safety equipment such as biosafety cabinets or safety centrifuge cups. 4- This signage indicates the biosafety level of the laboratory

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17. 17 LABORATORY SAFETY RESOURCES AVAILABLE RESOURCES Laboratory staff members face a wide range of hazards on the job, including infectious agents, sharps, and hazardous chemicals. Your risk is never completely eliminated, but a culture of safety helps to prevent or reduce your exposure to these hazards. This chapter shows the resources available to help you work as safely as possible. Laboratory safety resources include: Immediate safety resources Safety programs Laboratory safety policies Safety committees Regulations, standards, and guidelines

18. 18 LABORATORY SAFETY RESOURCES IMMEDIATE SAFETY RESOURCES Immediate safety resources include trained personnel and documentation. Laboratory staff members have access to laboratory supervisors, team leads, and safety representatives or managers who serve as immediate safety resources to answer questions and provide feedback and direction for staff members with questions. You also have important documentation available in your laboratory. You should know where to find these documents and review them with your supervisor as part of your orientation. Review these safety documents every year and anytime safety protocols change. The Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) The Laboratory-Specific Safety Manual The Laboratory-Specific Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) The Facility Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plan Laboratory Biosafety Manual Laboratory Radiation Safety Manual If your laboratory does not work with radiation, for instance, there will not be an SOP for working with radiation in your laboratory. Contact your supervisor and laboratory safety staff if you have questions or concerns.

19. 19 LABORATORY SAFETY RESOURCES IMMEDIATE SAFETY RESOURCES Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) - are written instructions documenting how to safely perform work within your laboratory. SOPs are required documents . Laboratory-Specific Safety Manual – is a reference for specific laboratory safety information. This manual includes any laboratory specific emergency information, related personnel information, risk management information, safety drill information, information on laboratory specific personal protective equipment, specific spill-cleanup procedures, disinfection and decontamination information, any laboratory specific forms, and any other laboratory specific safety information. Laboratory-Specific Chemical Hygiene Plan – is critical for providing information about chemicals used or present in the laboratory. CHPs inform laboratory staff members about the harmful properties of these substances, and appropriate control measures necessary to reduce the risk of exposure. The Facility Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plan – your facility may have more than one laboratory. If this is the case, there may be a document used to describe guidance and procedures for reducing exposures to hazardous chemicals in all of your facility's laboratories.

20. 20 LABORATORY SAFETY RESOURCES IMMEDIATE SAFETY RESOURCES Laboratory Biosafety Manual – is a guidance document designed to assist all laboratory staff in assessing the risks posed by biological agents and in evaluating the mitigation steps that can reduce these risks. Laboratory Radiation Safety Manual – details radiation safety requirements for laboratories handling radioisotopes in accordance with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Radiation safety manuals are located only in laboratories that use radioisotopes for their testing procedures.

21. 21 LABORATORY SAFETY RESOURCES LABORATORY SAFETY PROGRAMS The laboratory safety staff in your facility coordinate safety policies and procedures and work to foster a culture of safety among laboratory staff where all: Concerns and suggestions are voiced Incidents and near misses are reported to managers, supervisors, and Safety personnel continually improve laboratory quality and safety practices. Concerns and suggestions are voiced Incidents and near misses are reported to managers, supervisors, and Safety personnel continually improve laboratory quality and safety practices.

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23. 23 RISK MANAGEMENT WHAT IS RISK AND RISK ASSESSMENT? Risk assessment is a continual process performed to identify, evaluate, and prioritize risks. In order to identify risks, you should consider the known and unknown hazards in your laboratory. Examples of unknown hazards are unidentified agents in a biological sample or a chemical sample. Once risks are identified, the goal is to constantly mitigate, or reduce your risk of exposure to these hazards.   Perform risk assessments before working with hazardous materials and review them routinely (at least annually) or when:   Modifying procedures Introducing new agents or hazardous materials Following laboratory incidents Anything changes that could alter the likelihood or consequences of something going wrong in your laboratory

24. 24 RISK MANAGEMENT WHO COMPLETES THE RISK ASSESSMENT? People who work in the laboratory make the best risk assessors, because they are most familiar with the agents, procedures, and processes. Laboratory risk assessments must be a shared effort among scientists, supervisors, technicians, safety personnel, and staff. Risk assessments are performed annually or when protocols change. These assessments must be documented. Risk assessment forms are to be completed and added to the laboratory SOP.

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26. 26 RISK MANAGEMENT HIERARCHY OF CONTROLS There are five control measures used to mitigate risk. They are organized by their relative effectiveness in reducing risks and are referred to as the Hierarchy of Controls. Elimination physically removes the hazard. Substitution replaces the hazard with something less hazardous or non-hazardous. Engineering controls isolate people from the hazard or place a barrier between the worker and the hazard. Administrative controls are training, written procedures, and policies, immunizations, and work practices that change the way individuals work.   Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is specialized clothing or equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards. Even though PPE is the least effective control measure, this protective clothing helps provide a barrier from exposing our body to biohazardous organisms or chemical irritants. PPE may be minimal, but protective eyewear, gloves, and face shields can prevent serious injury in the laboratory.

27. 27 RISK MITIGATION - CONTROL MEASURES Here's an illustration of a laboratory. Click on each control measure for an example of how it can be used to mitigate risks. You must review all control measures to continue.   RISK MANAGEMENT

28. 28 RISK MANAGEMENT RISK MITIGATION - CONTROL MEASURES Elimination: Eliminating the use of sharps from a laboratory procedure, when possible Substitution: Substituting a highly pathogenic bacterial strain with a non-pathogenic bacterial strain in a laboratory procedure Engineering control: Using a chemical fume hood to work with hydrochloric acid ( HCl ) reduces exposure to hazards by removing vapors, and by placing a barrier between you and the chemical. Using a nano -material hood when working with nano -materials reduces hazardous exposure. Administrative controls: Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for how to work safely with hazardous materials. These SOPs should be easily accessible. Signage increases the awareness of the presence of specific hazardous materials. PPE: Using cryogenic gloves reduces hand and forearm contact with cryogenic materials.

29. 29 RISK MANAGEMENT Risk Evaluation

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31. 31 Introduction You are now familiar with some of the control measures used in the laboratory. Work practices are categorized as administrative control measures. This chapter will focus on some of the work practices used in clinical and public health laboratories. This chapter presents the following types of work practices: Common work practices Specific work practices In this training, common work practices are grouped into the three categories below and shown in the illustration. Personal Safety Facility Safety General Safety SAFE LABORATORY WORK PRACTICES

32. 32 SAFE LABORATORY WORK PRACTICES COMMON WORK PRACTICES - PERSONAL SAFETY You are the first line of defense for protecting yourself, others, and the public from exposure to hazards. One of the most important decisions you can make is following safe work practices to reduce the likelihood of personal exposure. The following is a list of common personal safety work practices that may be required by your laboratory policy: Do not recap needles or re-sheath scalpels. Do not eat, drink, or store food or drinks in the laboratory. Do not apply makeup or lip moisturizer, or handle contact lenses in the laboratory. Wear proper PPE such as safety glasses and a laboratory coat  upon entering the laboratory. Wash your hands: - After removing your gloves - Before exiting the laboratory Wear appropriate clothing such as closed-toe shoes and long pants. Tie back loose hair. Be sure you are up to date with your vaccinations. Use a pipette bulb instead of mouth pipetting

33. 33 SAFE LABORATORY WORK PRACTICES COMMON WORK PRACTICES - FACILITY SAFETY Laboratory safety equipment awareness and good housekeeping practices are necessary parts of a comprehensive laboratory safety program. You should: Make sure emergency equipment, like fire extinguishers and exit routes, are not blocked. 2 Know the location and protocols for fire extinguisher and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use. 3 Know the location and procedures to use eyewashes, safety showers, first aid kits, biological spill kits, chemical spill cabinets, and exits. 3 Maintain proper airflow by keeping laboratory doors closed. Clean up spills, loose paper, and clutter on the floor to reduce slips and falls. 2 Similarly, the laboratory bench must be free from clutter. 4 Laboratory furniture must be easily cleanable, and laboratory chairs should not be cloth covered.

34. 34 SAFE LABORATORY WORK PRACTICES COMMON WORK PRACTICES - GENERAL SAFETY Persons working with infectious agents, potentially infectious materials, or hazardous chemicals must be aware of potential hazards, or unknown risks, and must be trained in laboratory safety practices required for handling these materials safely. The following is a list of safe laboratory practices: Discard anything that can puncture skin into sharps containers. Do not re-sheath or recap needles before putting them in the sharps container. Broken glass, like capillary tubes, that are bio-hazardous can be discarded with other sharps. Place non-bio-hazardous broken glass in a separate waste receptacle from the sharps container. Place chemicals in assigned storage areas. Label all containers Click here for a job aid on Common Work Practices in the Laboratory.

35. 35 SAFE LABORATORY WORK PRACTICES SPECIFIC WORK PRACTICES The remaining portion of this chapter will focus on some of the specific work practices used in your laboratories. This chapter presents the following specific work practices: Electrical safety High voltage systems Heat producing equipment Decontamination Autoclaving Waste disposal Recycling Transport

36. 36 SAFE LABORATORY WORK PRACTICES SPECIFIC WORK PRACTICES - ELECTRICAL SAFETY In the laboratory, there is the potential for you to be exposed to electrical hazards. Failure to properly use and maintain electrical equipment could result in an electrical shock or lead to a fire. You can protect yourself by following these guidelines when using electrical equipment in the laboratory: Check cords and plugs to ensure they are not cracked or frayed. Do not run cords across walkways or areas of high traffic. Do not use extension cords as a permanent source of power. Follow manufacturers' directions for the safe use of electrical equipment. Never touch electrical equipment with wet hands or while standing on a wet floor. Ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets must be installed within 6 feet of sinks. Use power strips safely in the laboratory: - Plug power strips directly into a wall outlet. - Do not connect several power strips together (daisy chain). - Power strips must contain a circuit breaker.

37. 37 SAFE LABORATORY WORK PRACTICES SPECIFIC WORK PRACTICES - AWARENESS OF HIGH VOLTAGE SYSTEMS Many automated laboratory procedures involve equipment that require high electrical loads. Potential exposures to electrical hazards can result from faulty electrical equipment, instrumentation, or wiring; damaged receptacles and connectors; unsafe work practices; and high voltage equipment. Electrical panels must: Be labeled. Signage will vary based on voltage Be locked to ensure only authorized personnel access them Be serviced by qualified personnel such as electricians Have 3 feet of clearance maintained in front of them (no items can be stored below them)

38. 38 SAFE LABORATORY WORK PRACTICES SPECIFIC WORK PRACTICES - AWARENESS OF HIGH VOLTAGE SYSTEMS (CONT.) High voltage instruments must: Be labeled "high voltage" Have cabinet panels kept in place during use Be serviced by instrument service engineers High voltage equipment should be locked out and tagged out (LOTO) during installation, maintenance, testing, repair, or construction operations. Equipment must not be used while in LOTO status. Only the person who placed the equipment in LOTO can return it to service, indicating that the work is completed. This ensures the equipment will not start accidentally before maintenance or service is complete

39. 39 SAFE LABORATORY WORK PRACTICES SPECIFIC WORK PRACTICES - HEAT PRODUCING EQUIPMENT Exercise special care when using heat-producing equipment, such as immersion heaters and hot plates. Observe the following guidelines when using heat-producing equipment: Immersion heaters and hot plates should be: Plugged into timers that shut off power after a set time period Unplugged when not in use Cooled down and stored when not in use Immersion heaters should be: Used only with stainless steel water baths, never plastic Retired if the immersion heater is older than what is listed in your laboratory's SOP

40. 40 SAFE LABORATORY WORK PRACTICES SPECIFIC WORK PRACTICES - DECONTAMINATION Decontamination is the process of reducing or inactivating biological, radioactive, or chemical agents from a surface or space. It is important to decontaminate: Before starting a laboratory procedure After completing a laboratory procedure Before laboratory equipment is serviced, transferred to surplus, or removed from the laboratory After a hazardous material spill Your laboratory specific SOP will determine the appropriate disinfectant or decontamination procedure for your laboratory or equipment. A decontamination tag must be completed, signed, and affixed to decontaminated equipment prior to servicing, repairing, transferring, or excessing that equipment. The appropriate decontamination procedures and tags can be found in your laboratory SOP.

41. 41 SAFE LABORATORY WORK PRACTICES SPECIFIC WORK PRACTICES - AUTOCLAVING An autoclave is a sealed chamber for decontaminating or sterilizing materials using steam under pressure. All biological waste that comes from laboratories must be decontaminated (e.g., autoclave, chemical disinfection, incineration, or other validated decontamination method). If you work in a BSL-2 environment, you may be responsible for preparing, surface disinfecting, labeling, and transporting the waste to the autoclave room. At some locations, laboratory staff are trained and responsible for operating the autoclaves. If you work in a BSL-3 environment, prepare, label, and load waste into the autoclave, preferably within the laboratory. If the autoclave is located outside of the laboratory, follow your laboratory's SOP to transport the biological laboratory waste to the nearest designated autoclave. If you work in a BSL-4-environment, prepare, label, and load waste into the autoclave located in your laboratory 6 .

42. 42 SAFE LABORATORY WORK PRACTICES SPECIFIC WORK PRACTICES - WASTE DISPOSAL Identifying and disposing of hazardous waste is essential to your laboratory's culture of safety. Click each topic below for more information about the six types of waste generated at the laboratory.

43. 43 SAFE LABORATORY WORK PRACTICES SPECIFIC WORK PRACTICES - BIOLOGICAL WASTE DISPOSAL Biological waste includes any material that contains or has been contaminated or potentially contaminated by a bio-hazardous agent. All waste being removed from a laboratory must be decontaminated. (Exception: general waste from BSL-1 and BSL-2 laboratories). Examples include: Pipette tips, pipettes, plastic tubes, vials and petri dishes Biological cultures, specimens and tissue samples Sharps in a sharps container Disposable gloves and gowns

44. 44 SAFE LABORATORY WORK PRACTICES SPECIFIC WORK PRACTICES - CHEMICAL HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL C hemicals are hazardous waste if they meet the EPA characteristics for ignitability, corrosivity , reactivity, toxicity, or if they are specifically on the U-list or P-list . Hazardous wastes on the U or P list are pure or commercial formulations of unused chemicals that are being disposed. Chemical hazardous waste cannot be washed down the drain. Check in your laboratory SOP, with your supervisor, and with the laboratory safety staff for laboratory specific procedures. Empty reagent chemical bottles can be used to collect compatible chemical waste, or they may be recycled. Chemical fume hoods must not be used to evaporate chemical waste. Examples include: Chemical waste from a procedure Spent media collected from a vacuum collection flask Expired reagent chemicals U-listed and P-listed chemicals, such as sodium azide and sodium cyanide

45. P-LIST OR U-LIST 45 The P-list and U-list designate hazardous waste, both pure and commercial grade formulations of certain unused chemicals that are for disposal. For a waste to be considered a P-list or U-list, waste must meet the following three criteria: The waste must contain one of the chemicals listed in the P-list or U-list; The chemical in the waste must be unused; and The chemical in the waste must be in the form of a commercial chemical product.   EPA defines a commercial chemical product for P-list and U-list purposes as a chemical that is either 100 percent pure, technical (e.g., commercial) grade or the sole active ingredient in a chemical formulation.   The P-list identifies acute hazardous wastes from discarded commercial chemical products. The U-list identifies hazardous wastes from discarded commercial chemical products. The P-list and U-list can be found in 40 CFR section 261.33. EMPTY DEFINITION According to EPA, a container is empty if: All wastes have been removed that can be removed using the practices commonly employed to remove materials from that type of container, e.g., pouring, pumping, and aspirating, and no more than 3 percent by weight of the total capacity of the container remains in the container if the container is less than or equal to 119 gallons in size.

46. 46 SAFE LABORATORY WORK PRACTICES SPECIFIC WORK PRACTICES - WASTEWATER DISPOSAL There are specific requirements for substances poured down the laboratory drain. No hazardous wastes (biological, radiological, and chemical) are permitted to go down the drain. Chemicals cannot be diluted for the sole purpose of drain disposal! Click here for a job aid on items that are FORBIDDEN from being put down the drain.   Use these practices for better conservation and to prevent chemicals from going down the drain: Do not store hazardous chemicals in or over the drain Cover drains to protect them from hazardous material during spills or transfers

47. 47 SAFE LABORATORY WORK PRACTICES SPECIFIC WORK PRACTICES - NON-HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL Non-hazardous waste is any material not contaminated by a bio-hazardous , radiological, or chemical agent in a BSL-1 or 2 laboratory. Non-hazardous waste can usually be discarded in your general waste stream. Examples of non-hazardous waste include: Paper towels used to dry your hands Boxes and inserts Unused laboratory supplies ONLY if they are still in their original packaging Do not dispose of gloves, vials, caps, test tubes, filters, instrument columns, syringe barrels, or pipette tip boxes as general waste, even if they are not used with hazardous materials. Contact your supervisor for the appropriate method for disposing these items. Note: BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratories do not generate non-hazardous waste and do not have general waste streams.

48. 48 SAFE LABORATORY WORK PRACTICES SPECIFIC WORK PRACTICES - UNIVERSAL WASTE DISPOSAL Universal waste is a category of waste material designated as hazardous waste, that also contains items that are very common. Examples include: Batteries (excluding alkaline batteries) Fluorescent or UV lamps Items that contain mercury (thermometers, thermostat switches) Universal waste comes primarily from consumer products containing mercury, lead, cadmium and other substances that are hazardous to human health and the environment. These items cannot be discarded in the municipal waste stream or disposed of in landfills. Rather they are collected, so components of them can be reclaimed and other parts disposed by professionals.

49. 49 SAFE LABORATORY WORK PRACTICES SPECIFIC WORK PRACTICES - RADIATION WASTE DISPOSAL Radioactive waste is any waste that contains or is contaminated with radioactive material. Additionally, all radioactive waste must be disposed in containers specifically designated for the individual radionuclides.   Consult with your supervisor and laboratory safety staff in the early planning stages of laboratory procedures involving radioactive materials to take the necessary training, develop waste minimization strategies, and discuss waste disposal procedures.   An example of radioactive waste includes used scintillation counting liquids. Though not all laboratories will use radiation in their procedures, those that do should follow safe radioactive waste disposal practices outlined in their laboratory SOPs.

50. 50 SAFE LABORATORY WORK PRACTICES SPECIFIC WORK PRACTICES - RECYCLING In BSL-1 and BSL-2 laboratories authorized to participate in a laboratory plastic recycling program, examples of recyclable items include.   Plastic bottles that contained non-hazardous materials like: - Water bottles - Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) bottles - Cell culture media bottles Unused Falcon or conical tubes Pipette tip boxes and inserts   For additional information, or to verify that your location has laboratory recycling, contact your supervisor.

51. 51 SAFE LABORATORY WORK PRACTICES SPECIFIC WORK PRACTICES - TRANSPORT, PACKING, AND SHIPPING Some materials can be shipped domestically or internationally. Shipping patient samples, cultures, or chemical samples can only be performed by appropriately trained and certified staff. 8 The shipper has the primary responsibility for ensuring hazardous materials are shipped properly. You can face stiff financial penalties if you do not comply with shipping regulations. Contact your supervisor or the laboratory safety staff to determine who is certified to ship hazardous materials for your laboratory. Laboratory staff may be involved with the transport of hazardous materials on campus, between floors in a laboratory or hospital building, or between different buildings. There are specific requirements for this type of transport and details can be found in the laboratory SOP or by contacting your supervisor or laboratory safety staff.

52. 52 SAFE LABORATORY WORK PRACTICES SPECIFIC WORK PRACTICES - ADDITIONAL TRAINING This course is one of many laboratory safety training courses you must complete to work in the laboratory. A passing score does not fully train you for laboratory work. To work in the laboratory, you are required to successfully complete all relevant safety training. The needed safety training is determined by your job description, the specific equipment and materials you use, and the specific tasks and procedures you perform in the laboratory. A current list of the available laboratory safety training can be found in the laboratory SOP. Your laboratory supervisor will help you determine the required safety trainings before you begin working in the laboratory.

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54. 54 INCIDENTS AND NEAR MISSES INICIDENTS Laboratories can be dangerous places where you can be exposed to various hazards. An incident is any circumstance that causes injury or illness to you, your co-workers, or damage to property, products, or the environment. Examples of incidents include: An exposure to an infectious agent or hazardous chemical Tripping over a box of supplies left on the floor

55. 55 INCIDENTS AND NEAR MISSES EXPOSURE An incident may result in an exposure. An exposure is a specific contact with potentially infectious or hazardous materials. This contact may be through ingestion, percutaneous injection, inhalation, and direct contact or dermal absorption.

56. 56 INCIDENTS AND NEAR MISSES EXPOSURE INGESTION Examples: Pipetting by mouth Placing contaminated item or fingers in mouth INHALATION OF VAPORS, AEROSOLS, AND FUMES Examples : Centrifugation Mixing, shaking, and vortexing specimens, cultures, or chemicals Pouring or decanting volatile liquid specimens or chemicals Working with volatile chemicals outside of the chemical fume hood DIRECT CONTACT AND DERMAL ABSORPTION Examples : Splashing or spilling hazardous material into eyes, mouth, nose Splashing or spilling hazardous material onto skin Touching a contaminated surface with unprotected hands Touching face or eyes with contaminated gloved hands Being struck by moving parts of instruments such as robotic arms Burns or frostbite PERCUTANEOUS INJECTION Examples: Needle sticks Cuts resulting from contaminated broken glass Cuts resulting from contaminated sharp objects such as scalpels, blades, or knives.

57. 57 INCIDENTS AND NEAR MISSES WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO REPORT INCIDENTS AND NEAR MISSES? We can't improve programs if we don't know there are problems.   The laboratory requires notification of all incidents and near misses as an important component of continual improvement. History shows that most incidents are preceded by warnings or near misses. Recognizing and reporting near misses can significantly improve worker safety and enhance your laboratory's safety culture.   Consequences of not reporting incidents and near misses are provided below: It may happen again and with more severe consequences. If an injury later becomes more severe, the person may not be able to claim worker's compensation, or other entitled medical and financial benefits. Exposure to pathogens not reported immediately may result in the person becoming ill later, and exposing others during the incubation period.

58. 58 INCIDENTS AND NEAR MISSES REPORTING AN INCIDENT OR NEAR MISS To report an incident or near miss, notify your supervisor immediately and follow the procedures in your laboratory SOP. Your supervisor or laboratory safety staff will make the determination between a near miss and an incident.   Refer to your laboratory SOP for guidelines on Reporting Incidents and Near Misse

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60. 60 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND REPORTING INTRODUCTION Emergencies can happen in the laboratory. It's important to be familiar with and practice emergency response procedures for emergencies that could occur while working in the laboratory. Examples of potential emergencies include: Weather-related emergencies Facility-related emergencies Medical emergencies such as injuries, illnesses, or exposures

61. 61 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND REPORTING WEATHER-RELATED AND FACILITY-RELATED EMERGENCIES Each facility has a process for coordinating weather-related and facility-related emergencies. Contact your supervisor or laboratory safety staff to learn more about specific evacuation procedures including how to secure hazardous and infectious materials. Be sure to complete emergency procedures and reporting training as required by your laboratory.   Weather-related emergencies include tornadoes and earthquakes. Facility-related emergencies include electrical issues, water leaks, HVAC and/or directional airflow issues, and fires.   For weather-related emergencies: 1.  Stop what you are doing 2.  Secure hazardous materials or dangerous equipment if there is time before leaving the laboratory 3.  Follow your laboratory emergency preparedness procedures   For facility-related emergencies: 1.  Stop what you are doing 2.  Secure hazardous materials or dangerous equipment 3.  Follow your laboratory exit procedures 4.  Notify your supervisor and laboratory staff office as soon as possible

62. 62 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND REPORTING MEDICAL EMERGENCIES - EXPOSURE RESPONSE An exposure is contact with potentially hazardous materials that occurs while working in the laboratory. In general, when an exposure occurs, Remove contaminated PPE Follow the appropriate exposure incident response Notify your supervisor Contact a healthcare provider Post a spill sign, if necessary If possible, notify your co-workers in the laboratory about the exposure so they can assist you. Click on each type of exposure for the appropriate incident response. NOTE: Your incident response may vary based on your laboratory specific SOPs

63. 63 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND REPORTING MEDICAL EMERGENCIES - EXPOSURE RESPONSE INGESTION EXPOSURE Remove contaminated PPE. Rinse mouth with water. Follow your laboratory's notification procedures, including your supervisor and laboratory safety staff. Proceed to a healthcare provider immediately . PERCUTANEOUS INJURY Remove contaminated PPE. Wash affected area with soap and water for 15 minutes. While rinsing under water, apply gentle pressure around injury to encourage the flow of blood out of the wound. Follow laboratory exit procedures. Post spill sign on laboratory entry, if applicable. Follow your laboratory's notification procedures, including your supervisor and laboratory safety staff. Proceed to a healthcare provider immediately. Follow spill cleanup procedures, if appropriate .

64. 64 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND REPORTING MEDICAL EMERGENCIES - EXPOSURE RESPONSE INHALATION EXPOSURE If not wearing respiratory protection, hold your breath to avoid inhaling air from contaminated area. All persons must leave affected area. Remove contaminated PPE. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water. Post spill sign on laboratory entry, if applicable. Do not enter the contaminated area for at least 30 minutes. Follow your laboratory's notification procedures, including your supervisor & laboratory safety staff. Proceed to a healthcare provider immediately. Follow spill cleanup procedures, if appropriate . DIRECT CONTACT AND DERMAL ABSORPTION Remove contaminated gloves. Use nearest eyewash station (for eye, nose, mouth ) or nearest sink (for skin) to flush area for at least 15 minutes. Keep eyes wide open while rinsing if eyes have been affected. Remove remaining contaminated PPE. Follow laboratory exit procedures. Post spill sign on laboratory entry, if applicable. Follow your laboratory's notification procedures, including your supervisor and laboratory safety staff. Proceed to a healthcare provider immediately. Follow spill cleanup procedures, if appropriate.

65. 65 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND REPORTING MEDICAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE Non-life-threatening emergencies may include an injury or illness at work. In case of a non-life-threatening emergency:   Provide first aid to yourself or your co-worker if trained to do so Notify your supervisor and laboratory safety staff as soon as possible Go to a healthcare provider or accompany your co-worker to a healthcare provider Have a co-worker call the healthcare provider to notify them that you are coming   Life-threatening emergencies may include severe injuries or unconsciousness. In case of a life-threatening emergency:   When you call 911, notify the appropriate people in your facility (e.g., front desk, security, public safety) so they can direct first responders to your exact location Notify your supervisor and laboratory safety staff as soon as possible   Now is a good time to locate your facility's emergency contact list and SOPs for what to do in the case of a medical emergency.

66. 66 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND REPORTING Reporting After receiving treatment for an incident at work, you will likely have to complete incident forms.   Refer to your laboratory SOP, ask your supervisor, or contact the laboratory safety staff if you need more information or help with procedures.   You may also need to complete and submit incident forms if: You seek outside medical treatment The incident does not involve an injury

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