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 Lab Safety StandardsThis clinical laboratory has very unique characteristics. Clinical laboratory personnel must be equipped with the proper information and trained in a standardized format according to OSHA safety requirements. Because of this OSHA has fashioned what they call the “Laboratory Standard”. Basically it is the rules and regulation for occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories. This standard mandates a “Chemical Hygiene Plan” be in place that addresses the specific hazards, their location and OSHA’s approach to them.
Several headings and subheadings are listed in the Laboratory Standard and more information can be found at www.osha.gov. Very significant parts of the standard that employers must be aware of are:
- Personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Toxic and hazardous substances.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Standards number 1910.132(a) the guidelines state: “Application. Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact.” Also this standard gives specific instructions for the employer on training the employee on matters as:
- When PPE is necessary
- What PPE is necessary
- How to properly don, doff, adjust, and wear PPE
- The limitations of the PPE
- The proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of the PPE
The toxic and hazardous substances are acknowledged in a way that gives the exposure limitations an employee can be subject to over a limited amount of time. This is usually expressed as parts per million (ppm) over and eight hour time frame.
Several links for additional information are listed on the OSHA website and can be found at this link: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/laboratories/otherresources.html. Also OSHA provides a Compliance Assistance Quick Start for the Health Care Industry. It is built in a module format with forms, resources and publications to help the employer provide the employee with the necessary information and be compliant with the law. It can be found at this link: http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/compliance_assistance/quickstarts/health_care/index_hc.html.
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