CLINICAL LAB SCIENEC

100
ESSENTIALS OF CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
used by the Infection Control Committee to document adherence by individuals
and departments, but some of these items may also be covered by the Safety
Committee. There is a great deal of overlap in some facilities between the Safety
Committee and the Infection Control Committee. Sometimes you will hear the
term “environmental control” applied to these committees.
Purpose and Duties of Safety Committee
Protection of workers and their patients against the contraction of an infectious
disease or exposure to toxic agents is the goal of the Safety Committee, and all of
its efforts are devoted to this goal, as well as to protecting visitors to the facility.
Although some of this committee’s duties include aspects of infection control,
the Safety Committee chiefly directs its attention to conditions of the building
and whether general maintenance of the facility is adequate (Table 5-3). General
safety and fire safety are sometimes handled by one joint committee and in conjunction
with the local fire marshal in complying with laws regarding fire safety
and prevention.
Fire Safety
This category of risk or hazard is potentially the most dangerous. Fires may
block exits and also may ignite chemicals that produce toxic fumes that can
Table 5-3 General Safety Checklist for Building Maintenance, Safe Passageways, and
Safety Devices
1. Floors are clean, dry as possible, and free of broken
areas containing protrusions and hazards to walking.
2. Passageways adhere to fi re marshal standards, being
clear of fl oor and wall obstructions.
3. Floors are sealed with wax that is nonskid.
4. Safety manuals, material safety data sheets (MSDSs),
and precautionary documents are found in work areas.
5. Flammable materials are kept in approved containers
and cabinets or store rooms.
6. Acids and chemicals are kept in approved cabinets on
lower shelf.
7. Safety glasses are available and worn during specified
tasks.
8. Safety hood is used when handling certain materials.
9. Furniture and equipment have no sharp or broken
edges.
10. Doors are in good working order, including fire doors.
11. No broken glass is present in windows, cabinet
doors, etc.
Satisfactory
Acceptable—Needs
Some Attention
Unsatisfactory
Not
Applicable
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