CLINICAL LAB SCIENEC

96
ESSENTIALS OF CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
FIGURE 5-10 Safety shower for removing toxic chemicals.
Source: Delmar/Cengage Learning.
may also be used to capture and recycle some of the
wastes produced by burning the materials. It should
be kept in mind that the facility producing the waste
materials is responsible for the waste while it is under
transport to the disposal facility. This is an aspect of
disposal of biohazardous wastes and toxic materials
that many do not realize. It is vitally important
that both toxic materials and biohazardous spills be
taken care of immediately, before widespread exposure
occurs, aggravating the situation.
Fortunately, toxic chemicals are not nearly as
prevalent in the medical laboratory as they were in
years past, when manual procedures were more commonly
performed. Regulations for proper disposal of
used chemicals or chemicals that should be discarded
are to be followed according to policies established
by each facility. Some chemicals may be poured into
the sewer system if they are highly diluted with water.
Others, especially if they contain azides, copper, chromium,
or lead and mercury, require special handling
by trained toxic waste disposal personnel. Please note
that azides should never be poured into the waste water
system. In the presence of lead pipes or soldering, an
explosion may ensue. Routine training on at least an
annual basis is to be provided either through inservice
sessions or directly by the laboratory department
manager or the instructor in an educational setting.
Eyewash stations should be situated in all areas where
chemicals or biohazardous materials may splash into
the eyes (Figure 5-11). At clinical sites, the orientation
of the student to the laboratory will cover disposal of
biohazardous wastes and use of potentially hazardous
chemicals.
FIGURE 5-11 Eyewash station for emergency incidents
involving biohazards and toxic chemicals.
Source: Delmar/Cengage Learning.
Use of and Disposal of Sharps
Sharp items such as needles, broken glass tubes, scalpels,
and other disposable items may cause injury
when carelessly handled. If these items are contaminated
with patient blood and other body fluids,
there is a secondary danger as these instruments are
potentially capable of transmitting infectious diseases
unless handled with extreme caution to prevent
injuries. Used needles should never be recapped by
both hands or otherwise manipulated in a manner or
technique that involves directing the point of a needle
toward any part of the body. Syringes, needles,
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