1. Unit 1 Safety in Diagnostic Medicine

2. Things to Remember
The number one concern of the health care team in the lab is _____________.
A microorganism that is transmitted from one person to another person via the blood or blood contaminated objects is known as a _________.
Three bloodborne pathogens that are a concern of health care workers are: ________________.
MSDS stands for: ________________________.
What should you do with broken glass, needles, or other sharp objects? ___________________.

3. Introduction
The number one concern of health care professionals is safety from bloodborne pathogens.

4. What is a bloodborne pathogen?
A microorganism that is transmitted from one person to another person via the blood or blood contaminated objects.
Health Care workers main concern:
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
HIV

5. Laboratory Safety Staying safe means that you:
Read labels on containers of chemicals
Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Handle chemicals with care
Use correct protective clothing and equipment
Remember emergency procedures

6. Chemical Labels
Every container of chemicals is labeled by the manufacturer. The label will tell you:
Name of chemical
Name, address and emergency phone number of manufacturer
Physical and health hazards
Precautionary measures
First-aid instructions
Proper handling/storage instructions

7. Health Hazards on a Chemical Label
Carcinogen
An agent that causes cancer
Highly toxic agent
Takes a small amount to harm you.
Toxic agent
Takes a little more to harm you but still can do damage to you.
Reproductive hazard
Chemicals which affect the reproductive capabilities including chromosomal damage (mutations) and effects on fetuses (teratogenesis)
Irritant
A chemical, which is not corrosive, but which causes a reversible inflammatory effect on living tissue by chemical action at the site of contact.

8. Health Hazards on a Chemical Label
Corrosive
A chemical that causes visible destruction of, or irreversible alterations in, living tissue by chemical action at the site of contact.
Sensitizer
A chemical that causes a substantial proportion of exposed people or animals to develop an allergic reaction in normal tissue after repeated exposure to the chemical.
Hepatotoxin
Chemicals which produce liver damage
Nephrotoxin
Chemicals which produce kidney damage
Neurotoxin
Chemicals which produce their primary toxic effects on the nervous system

9. Typical Precautionary Measures on a Label
Do not breathe vapors
Use in well-ventilated areas
Keep container closed when not in use
Avoid contact with skin
Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling
Keep away from sparks, heat, and flame
Do not store near combustible materials
Store in tightly closed container
Remove and wash contaminated clothing promptly
Keep from contact with clothing and other combustible materials

10. Common Signal Words on Labels
Danger
Can cause immediate serious injury or death
Warning
Can cause potentially serious injury or death
Caution
Can cause potentially moderate injury

11. Color and Number Coded Label Systems
Colors represent kind of hazard
Red = fire
Yellow = instability
Blue = health
White = specific hazard & personal protection
NFPA-type label 3 4 2
Numbers show degree of hazard
0 = Minimal
1 = Slight
2 = Moderate
3 = Serious
4 = Severe

12. Color and Number Coded Label Systems (cont’d)
White = specific hazard
OX = Oxidizer
ACID = Acid
ALK = Alkali
COR = Corrosive
W = Use no water
Other symbols:
NFPA-type labels 3 2 4
COR
What is an oxidizer?
What is an acid?
What does Alkali mean?

13. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) (example MSDS handout)
Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) (example MSDS handout)
Provides more detailed information about a chemical, including
Composition, information on ingredients (Section 2)
Hazards identification (Section 3)
First aid measures (Section 4)
Accidental Release measures (Section 6)
Handling and Storage (Section 7)
Exposure controls, personal protection (Section 8)
Stability and reactivity (Section 10)
Toxicological information (Section 11)
MSDS are located in the laboratory

14. MSDS ~ Hazards Identification
Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
MSDS ~ Hazards Identification
Inhalation: Respiratory tract (lungs) through inhalation
Ingestion: Digestive tract through eating or smoking with contaminated hands or in contaminated work areas
Absorption through the skin or eyes: Dermatitis or damage to the liver, kidney, or other organ systems
Injection: Percutaneous injection of a toxic substance through the skin

15. MSDS ~ Potential Health Effects
Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
MSDS ~ Potential Health Effects
Eye irritation
Nausea
Dizziness
Skin rashes
Headache
Existing medical conditions possibly aggravated by exposure

16. MSDS (cont’d) Emergency/first-aid procedures to follow
Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
MSDS (cont’d)
Emergency/first-aid procedures to follow
Accidental Release Measures
What to do if substance spills and leaks
How to correctly dispose of substance
Equipment/procedures for cleaning up spills and leaks
Handling and Storage
How to handle and store substance safely
Any other precautions (i.e., grounding containers during transfer of flammables)

17. Handle Chemicals with Care
Dispose of chemicals, broken glass, and other waste in approved containers
Clean up broken glass and spills immediately
Keep the lab clean and neat
Store incompatible chemicals in separate storage areas

18. Put custodians and fellow workers in danger
Handle Chemicals with Care
Do not
Use damaged glassware
Store chemicals near heat, sunlight, or other substances with which they might react
Store materials on floors or other places where people could trip over them
Leave equipment unattended when its operating (unless it is designed to do so or you have an SOP)
Put custodians and fellow workers in danger

19. Use correct protective clothing and equipment
Eye Protection
Safety glasses – flying particles, chemical splashes, dust
Splash goggles – corrosive liquids, solvents, powders
Face Shields – high pressure systems
Respiratory Protection
Mask
Skin and Body Protection
Gloves – see the MSDS (and the handout)
Aprons and lab coats – strong acids and bases
Shoes – always worn in lab, closed toe and heel
Hearing Protection
Ear plugs
Ear Muffs

20. If Overexposed to a Hazardous Substance
Remember emergency procedures
If Overexposed to a Hazardous Substance
Get medical help immediately!
Inform your lab supervisor
Check MSDS for first-aid instructions. Some general guidelines are
Eyes: Flush with water for 15 minutes
Ingestion: Follow label and MSDS instructions
Skin Contact: Stand under emergency shower and remove contaminated clothing immediately
Inhalation: Get to fresh air and get prompt medical attention

21. Other Emergency Procedures
Remember emergency procedures
Other Emergency Procedures
Fire:
call 911
activate building fire alarm
safely use fire extinguisher on small fires (PASS)
Hazardous Chemical spill (over 1 pint):
evacuate the room
close door
consider evacuation of building

22. Emergencies can happen, so Avoid working alone in the lab
Remember emergency procedures
Emergencies can happen, so
Avoid working alone in the lab
Know where emergency phone numbers are posted
Review MSDS
Know where to go and what to do in an emergency
Know the location of the closest safety showers, eyewashes, fire extinguishers, and exits.

23. STOP

24. Bell Ringer ~ Lab Safety Quiz
The number one concern of the health care team in the lab is _____________.
A microorganism that is transmitted from one person to another person via the blood or blood contaminated objects is known as a _________.
Three bloodborne pathogens that are a concern of health care workers are: ________________.
MSDS stands for: ________________________.
What should you do with broken glass, needles, or other sharp objects? ___________________.

25. Answers
The number one concern of the forensic team in the lab or on the scene is _____________.
A microorganism that is transmitted from one person to another person via the blood or blood contaminated objects is known as a _________.
Three bloodborne pathogens that are a concern of health care workers are: ________________.
MSDS stands for: ________________________.
What should you do with broken glass, needles, or other sharp objects? ___________________.
safety
bloodborne
pathogens
Hep B
Hep C
HIV
Material Safety Data Sheet
Place in a Sharps Container