Management of Laboratory Operation

• What are policies in laboratory management?

  General statements guiding decision making
• How do procedures differ from policies?

  Procedures guide actions, not thinking
• What is the staffing process in laboratory management?

  Setting long-term goals for personnel needs
• What is the purpose of the scheduling process?

  To match staff with current workload requirements
• What are the steps in making a schedule?

  1. Plan a schedule management
  2. Define activities
  3. Sequence activities
  4. Estimate activity resources
  5. Estimate activity durations
  6. Develop schedule
• How many hours do the practice shifts depend on?

  Eight hours
• When is the largest number of personnel assigned?

  During the first eight-hour periods
• What is provided during night shifts in emergencies?

  Increased staff provision
• What factors are considered in the rotation plan of staff?

  • Day of schedule
  • Schedule of leave (sick, maternity, vacation)
  • Availability of a reliever
  • Determine the rotation
• What is occupational health and safety concerned with?

  Protecting health and safety of workers
• Who else may be protected by occupational health and safety?

  Co-workers, family, and nearby communities
• What is the employer's responsibility in safety management?

  Ensure workplace safety and follow rules
• What must individuals ensure in safety management?

  Employees have proper training and resources
• What structural requirements should be considered in laboratory design?

  • Safety factors in design and layout
  • Entrance and exit routes
  • Blockage of hallways and doors
  • Location of sprinklers and extinguishers
  • Storage of flammable materials
  • Ventilation system
• What is a hazard?

  Something that has potential to harm
• How is risk defined?

  Likelihood of a hazard causing harm
• What are biological hazards?

  Infectious materials caused by microorganisms
• What are the sources and prevention methods for biological hazards?

  Sources:

  • Location of harmful organisms

  Prevention:

  • Handwashing
  • Biohazardous waste disposal
  • Decontamination
• How can biological hazards be transmitted?

  Direct contact, inhalation, or ingestion
• What are blood borne pathogens?

  Materials contaminated with blood
• What are the methods of compliance for biological hazards?

  1. Universal precaution policy
  2. Engineering and work practice controls
  3. Personal protective equipment
  4. Housekeeping techniques
• What is universal precaution in laboratory management?

  • Barrier protection
  • Gloves
  • Face protection
  • Protective body clothing
  • Handwashing
  • Avoiding injuries
  • Proper disposal
• What are gloves used for in personal protective equipment?

  Hygiene and contamination protection
• What is the purpose of eye and face protection?

  To protect eyes, nose, and mouth
• What is the function of a mask in personal protective equipment?

  Prevent infections from liquid droplets
• What is protective body clothing used for?

  To create a barrier against bodily fluids
• What are the possible injuries from sharp hazards?

  • Cuts
  • Punctures
  • Blood borne exposure
• What are right to know regulations?

  OSHA regulations for workplace safety
• What is a Material Safety Data Sheet?

  Document detailing safety information on hazards
• What should you do if there’s skin contact with a chemical?

  Flush the area with large amounts of water
• What should you do with contaminated clothing after a chemical spill?

  Remove contaminated clothing
• What are the chemical labeling categories?

  • Poisonous
  • Corrosive
  • Carcinogenic
  • Flammable
• What are the guidelines for chemical handling?

  • Never mix chemicals
  • Add chemicals in specified order
  • Prepare reagents under fume hood
  • Do not pipette by mouth
• What are the guidelines for chemical storage?

  • Never store acids and bases together
  • Keep cyanide and acids apart
  • Store alkali metals away from aqueous waste
  • Separate mercury from ammonium compounds
  • Avoid storing organics with acids
• What are radioactive hazards?

  Radio isotopes used in procedures
• What is required for individuals exposed to radioactive hazards?

  Wear a film badge to measure exposure
• How is the amount of radioactivity in the laboratory described?

  Very small and not dangerous
• What are the two major hazards in the laboratory?

  Physical harm from shocks or burns
• What are the recommended safeguards from electrical hazards?

  • No extension cords or adapters
  • Do not operate equipment with wet hands
  • Report frayed cords and overloaded circuits
  • Label and locate circuit breakers
  • Avoid using equipment near flammable materials
  • Conduct constant electrical safety checks
• What should you do in case of electrical accidents?

  • Never touch a person in contact with live wire
  • Unplug the electrical source
  • Use nonconductors to separate the victim
  • Cover the victim with a coat until help arrives