Laboratory Safety

• Chain of Infection

  • S - source
  • M - mode (means) of transmission
  • S - susceptible host
• 6 components of (Chain of Infection)

  • I - infectious agent
  • R - reservoir
  • E - exit portal
  • M - mode of transmission
  • E - entry portal
  • S - susceptible host
• PPE - Personal Protective Equipment

  • Gloves
  • Gowns
  • Eye & Face Shield
  • Countertop shields
• HANDWASHING is the BEST WAY to break the chain of infection
• HAND CONTACT is the primary method of infection transmission
• When hands are visibly SOILED, wash hands with SOAP and WATER
• When hands are NOT VISIBLY SOILED, apply alcohol-based hand-rub (ex. sanitizer)
• Biohazard symbol - fluorescent orange and THREE circles OVERLAPPING each other
• Disinfection of the SINK using 1:10 dilutions of sodium hypochlorite (performed daily)
• 1:10 dilution of sodium hypochlorite

  • 1 part of sodium hypochlorite to 9 parts of water
• Chemical Handling - Always add ACID to WATER

  *to avoid sudden splashing

  *an EXPLOSION can occur if WATER is added to ACID
• You - Yellow (right)

  Were - White (bottom)

  Born - Blue (left)

  Right - Red (top)
• White Quadrant - SPECIFIC hazard

  • OXY - oxidizer
  • ACID - Acid
  • ALK - Alkali
  • COR - Corrosive
  • W - no water
• Yellow Quadrant - REACTIVITY/STABILITY hazard

  0 = Stable

  1 = Unstable if heated

  2 = Violent chemical change

  3 = Shock & heat may deteriorate/detonate

  4 = May deteriorate/detonate
• Blue Quadrant - HEALTH hazard

  0 = Normal material

  1 = Slightly hazardous

  2 = Hazardous

  3 = Extreme danger

  4 = Deadly
• Red Quadrant - FLAMMABILITY hazard

  0 = will not burn

  1 = above 200 F

  2 = below 200 F

  3 = below 100 F

  4 = below 73 F
• Degree of Hazards (Hazard Index) = No SMS Ex

  0 = No Minimal hazard

  1 = Slight hazard

  2 = Moderate hazard

  3 = Serious hazard

  4 = Extreme/Severe hazard
• Flammable chemicals should be STORED in safety cabinets and EXPLOSION-PROOF refrigerators away from heat sources
• RACE

  R - rescue

  A - alarm

  C - contain

  E - extinguish/evacuate
• How to operate the Fire Extinguisher = TPASS

  T - twist

  P - pull the pin

  A - aim at the base of the fire

  S - squeeze handles

  S - sweep nozzle side to side
• Fire Type A - ORDINARY Combustibles

  • paper
  • cloth
  • rubbish
  • plastic
  • wood
• Fire Type A - Extinguisher

  • WATER
  • Dry chemicals
  • Loaded steam
• Fire Type B - FLAMMABLE Liquids

  • Alcohol
  • Ether
  • Grease
  • Gasoline
  • Paints
  • Oil
• Fire Type B - Extinguisher

  • Dry chemicals
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Halon Foam
• Fire Type C - ELECTRICAL equipment and Motor switches
• Fire Type C - Extinguisher

  • Dry Chemicals
  • Carbon dioxide
  • HALON (best for type C)
• Fire Type D - Flammable METALS

  • Mercury
  • Magnesium
  • Sodium
  • Lithium
• Fire Type D - Extinguisher (only for fire fighters)

  • Metal X
  • SAND
  • Dry Powder
• Fire Type E - DETONATION / Arsenal Fire / Explosives

  • allowed to burn out and nearby materials protected
• Fire Type K - COOKING media: Grease, oils and fats

  • liquid designed to prevent splashing and cool the fire
• WATER - TYPE A FIRE
• DRY CHEMICALS - TYPE ABC FIRE
• CARBON DIOXIDE - TYPE BC FIRE
• HALON - TYPE BC FIRE