Laboratory Safety Guidelines Learning Guide Series
DIAGNOSTICS Laboratory Safety Guidelines Learning Guide Series 1 LABORATORY SAFETY GUIDELINES Safety is of the utmost importance in the clinical laboratory. Following proper safety protocols will help ensure a safe working environment for all laboratory workers. In addition, a safe working environment leads to a more efficient laboratory and accuracy of the tests performed. OBJECTIVES The Laboratory Safety Guidelines is intended to provide laboratory workers with general laboratory safety information, including personal protective equipment, and proper waste disposal. This Laboratory Safety Guidelines is not a substitute for guidelines provided by your institution, local or national authorities. After completing this basic general guideline, you will be able to: • Explain why laboratory safety procedures are important • Describe general laboratory biosafety procedures • Identify the personal protective equipment (PPE) used in the laboratory • Describe the types of laboratory waste and procedures for waste disposal KEY CONCEPTS 1. Laboratory safety procedures may help reduce the risk of injury due to exposure to hazardous chemicals, transmission of infectious agents to laboratory workers, and cross-contamination of specimens. 2. Laboratory employees should use universal precautions, i.e., treat all potential biohazard materials (reagents, calibrators, controls, clinical specimens, contaminated instruments) as if they contain infectious agents. Follow Bloodborne Pathogen safety training information while working with these materials. 3. PPE includes gloves, lab coats, and safety glasses with side shields. 4. Dispose of all chemical specimens, reagents, controls, calibrators, standards, cuvettes, and other disposables that may be contaminated in accordance with local, state, or country regulations. Sharp contaminates should be disposed of in designated puncture-resistant containers displaying a biohazard label, then incinerated or autoclaved.
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