by : Ms. Crizelda Liwanag

1. SAFETY
in the
Clinical Laboratory

2. Psalm 24: 4-5
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
He will receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from the God of His
salvation.

3. OUTLINE
• Safety Hazards
• Sources of Hazards
• How to deal with hazards

4. SAFETY HAZARDS
Biological
Sharp
Chemical
Radioactive
Electrical
Fire/explosive
Physical

5. Biological Hazards
Source
• Specimen
• Fomites
• Patients
Possible infection
• Bacterial
• Fungal
• Viral
• parasitic

6. Chain of Infection
Host
TransmissionSource

7. Universal Precautions (UP)
All patients are considered to be
possible carriers of bloodborne
pathogens
It excluded urine and other body fluids as potentially infectious.
By CDC and OSHA

8. Body Substance Isolation (BSI)
All body fluids and moist
body substances are
considered to be
potentially infectious.
Hand washing is NOT recommended after the removal of gloves.

9. Standard Precautions (SP)
Treat all biological
specimens as potentially
infectious.

10. SP

11. • Latex
• Powder free nitrile
• Cotton
• Lightweight cotton
• Cut-resistant
• Finger cots
• Heavy duty
neoprene
• Polyethylene
• Rubber
SP

13. SP
• Spill control
• Spill clean-up
• Decontamination

14. SP
• Environmental
protection
• Waste disposal

15. What is the disinfectant of choice for
bloodborne pathogens?
SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE (1:10)
How are biological wastes disposed?
Incineration, autoclaving or pickup by
certified hazardous waste company

18. Sharp hazards
Possible Injury
• Cuts, punctures
• Bloodborne
pathogen exposure

20. Chemical Hazards
Source
• Preservatives
• Reagents
Possible Injury
• Exposure to
toxic,
carcinogenic, or
caustic agents

21. • Chemical spills
• Chemical handling
• Chemical Hygiene
Plan (CHP)
• Chemical labeling
• Material Safety
Data Sheet
(MSDS)
Chemical Hazards

23. Radioactive hazards
The degree of
radiation
exposure is
related to the
combination of
time, distance
and shielding.
Source
• Equipment
• Radioisotopes
Possible injury
• Radiation
exposure

24. Electrical Hazards
Sources
• Ungrounded or
wet equipment
• Frayed cords
Possible injury
• Burns
• shock

25. Fire hazards
Sources
• Bunsen burners
• Organic chemicals
(*flash point)
– Combustible
– Flammable
Possible injury
• Burns
• Dismemberment
ECAR

27. Using the fire extinguisher
• PULL...Pull the pin. (lock
latch, pressing a puncture
lever, or other motion)
• AIM...Aim low, pointing the
extinguisher nozzle at the
base of the fire.
• SQUEEZE...Squeeze the
handle.
• SWEEP...Sweep from side to
side at the base of the fire
until it appears to be out.
Watch the fire area in case
fire breaks out again, and
repeat use of the
extinguisher if necessary.

28. Physical hazards
• Running
• Wet floors
• Proper body movements
• Long Hair
• Jewelry
• Working area
• Closed shoes