CLINICAL LAB SCIENEC

CHAPTER 5: LABORATORY SAFETY 99
adheres to pertinent laws for disposal of chemicals and biohazardous items.
General rules for safety and guidelines for providing and documenting safety
training and orientation should be prominently displayed throughout the worksite.
The Federal Register has a set of OSHA guidelines that should be present in
the workplace’s library and on its website.
Documentation of Training
Standardized forms are available for providing pertinent safety training. Certain
companies also produce and sell complete and comprehensive safety programs
along with forms that are periodically updated to comply with changes. On
completing training sessions, students and workers sign an agreement that they
have received and understand the implications of the safety program and their
responsibility to adhere to all regulations. Usually, the law of “right to know”
related to the potential for occupational exposure is covered in these training
sessions, along with other safety issues that must be addressed.
Infection Control Checklist
Various internal committees, such as the Safety Committee or the Infection
Control Committee or Exposure Control Committee, will monitor compliance
with policies related to safety. Members of these committees and also those from
accrediting facilities and government agencies such as OSHA may observe medical
workers in the work site. Table 5-2 is an example of a form that would be
Table 5-2 Infection Control and Safety Checklist
Activity
1. Utility gloves worn when retrieving items from cabinets
2. All sharps placed in sharps container
3. Proper supplies checked and reordered; sufficient
inventory
4. Area kept neat and clean
5. Cleaning solutions replenished and dated as needed
6. Lab jackets used appropriately
7. Contaminated towels and items laundered appropriately
8. Rubberized aprons used when chemicals or body fl uids
may be spilled
9. Chairs and carts properly disinfected
10. Appropriate plastic covers used
11. No contaminated items left on counters at end of day
12. Proper gloves worn at the appropriate time for clean-up
13. Wash bottles of 10% hypochlorite filled appropriately
14. Biohazard bags used when indicated
15. Trash emptied
Satisfactory
Acceptable—Needs
Some Attention
Unsatisfactory
Not
Applicable
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