Author Archive for: Terry Jo Gile
Spill kits: Assembly and function
November 12th, 2009 
A spill kit is a set of equipment used for the removal of chemical or microbiological material from a laboratory surface or apparatus.
Chemical Spill Kits
Locate spill kits near chemicals and make sure they are easily accessible. Check the kits on an annual basis and restock them if they are depleted. The content should be specific to the chemicals used at your facility. The kit should contain:
Lab infections don’t always translate to sloppy practices
November 5th, 2009
It’s been a tough last couple weeks at Boston hospitals between a stabbing at Massachusetts General Hospital, and tainted coffee at a Harvard medical laboratory.
You can add another one to the list. An incident at a Boston University medical lab completed the safety trifecta last week when a BU graduate student developed a bacterial infection days after conducting experiments with dangerous meningitis germs, according to The Boston Globe.
Less stress means fewer accidents in the lab
October 29th, 2009
Are some employees just accident prone? Is there a way to assess personality traits related to the propensity for getting into accidents? If you could identify such traits, could you generalize traits from one setting to another?
Although there is very little data on this subject, there is some. Samantha Dunn, in her book, Not by Accident: Reconstructing a Careless Life (Henry Holt, 2002), suggests that emotional states that lead to distraction can contribute to accidents. Anxiety, stress and depression are at the root of many accidents because they cloud judgments and slow reaction time.
Handling different types of lab waste
October 22nd, 2009
Chemical waste must be handled according to the manufacturer’s requirements on the material safety data sheets (MSDS). Hazardous chemical disposal is regulated through state and local governmental agencies. It is important to get proper authorization from these agencies to dispose of the chemicals and utilize licensed lab-packing companies to package and ship the chemical waste for proper disposal.
Regulated waste is placed in containers that are closable and constructed to contain all contents and to prevent fluids from leaking during handling, storage, transport, or shipping. The containers are labeled and closed before removal to prevent the contents from spilling or protruding during handling, storage, transport, or shipping. If outside contamination of the regulated waste container occurs, it is placed in a second container that has the same qualities as the first (e.g., closable, leak-proof) and is handled in the same manner.
ADA and emergency eyewash stations
October 15th, 2009
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard on Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment (Z358.1) does not distinguish access and configuration requirements between disabled and non-disabled employees. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that emergency showers and eyewash stations should be designed to meet both the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ANSI requirements.
Often the pull ring for the shower is not within reach of someone using a wheelchair. A simple solution is to attach a string that can be easily reached. Accommodations don’t have to be expensive. When in doubt, ask the affected employee for suggestions.
Reviewing exit route compliance
October 8th, 2009
OSHA Standard 1910.37 addresses the requirements for exit routes. Fines can be assessed if the exit route is obstructed with materials or equipment, or if an exit route includes a door that can be locked.
Understanding permissible exposure limits
October 2nd, 2009
Each hazardous chemical in your laboratory has a permissible exposure limit (PEL) assigned to it. It also has an action level. Determining what each one is will identify when you need initiate your respiratory protection program.
When workplace violence affects the lab
September 24th, 2009
Violence is a serious safety and health hazard in many workplaces. We saw a gruesome example of this last week with the death of a Yale graduate student that police are citing as workplace violence.
Most labs are isolated from the general public. Violence often takes place at the draw sites where the phlebotomist interacts with the public. It also may occur when disgruntled or fired workers enact revenge. Employees’ family members or friends can also become violent over a home situation and retaliate at work.
Lab coat Q&A
September 11th, 2009
Q: OSHA requires that PPE provided must “fit” employees properly. I work in a clinical lab that provides one size fits all isolation gowns as our PPE and, of course, one size does not fit all. On most employees they are very large and have lot of extra fabric on the sleeves that hangs down. The lab has requested lab coats, but the hospital does not want to make the change, because of the increased cost of supplying lab coats or disposable lab coats. In your opinion, should lab coats of varying sizes be provided if the lab is to be compliant with the OSHA standard?
What to do with plants in the lab
August 27th, 2009
Q: Our facilities manager is questioning if we should have plants in the lab. They are not on the work bench and are away from any contaminated areas. We have gone through many lab inspections without comments on this, but I would like to follow up on his concern.
A: It’s not uncommon to see plants throughout any medical facility, including the lab. They add to the atmosphere of your facility, and often provide a better experience for patients and workers.
-
Categories
- Ask the Expert—Bloodborne Pathogens
- Ask the expert—General OSHA
- Ask the Expert—Hazard Communication
- Bloodborne Pathogens
- Emergency Action Plans
- Featured
- First Aid
- General Safety and Health
- Hazardous Waste
- Infection Control
- Lab Safety
- Needlesticks & Sharps Injuries
- Notes from the field
- OSHA – Citations & Fines
- OSHA – General
- Pandemic Influenza
- Popular
- Uncategorized
- Waste Management
- Weekly Poll Questions
-
Archives
-
Feeds
Terry Jo Gile
Terry Jo Gile, MT(ASCP), MA Ed.,The Safety Lady® has more than 40 years experience as a certified medical technologist. As president of her own consulting firm, Safety Lady LLC, she is a world renowned speaker and consultant who helps organizations create safety savvy laboratories. Click the links to visit her Web site and her blog.
Terry Jo has written 49 posts.
