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Lab Safety Advisor

A FREE e-mail newsletter that offers tips, advice, and Q & As from Terry Jo Gile, MT (ASCP), MA, Ed.

2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

Lab Safety Advisor

Issue 1, February 5, 2008

• Q&A:Multimedia program evaluation

  Q: How can I evaluate a multimedia program for my laboratory?

• Choosing a training product: Fun is nice, but effective is better

  When you evaluate a multimedia training product, your primary consideration should be whether it...

Issue 38, September 30, 2008

• Notice: Two resources for OSHA compliance and lab safety news

  This week marks the last issue of Lab Safety Advisor. But we understand your need for critical lab...

• Tip of the Week: October is National Fire Prevention Month

  Make sure your employees know how to prevent fires in the laboratory.

• Q&A: Where can I get information about fire protection/prevention?

  Q: Where can I get information about fire protection/prevention?   A: Check out these...

• Use a checklist for fire safety

  Protecting employees and preventing fires is very important in the laboratory. Having a checklist...

Issue 37, September 23, 2008

• Tip of the week: Fire alarms

  Ensure that all employees know the location of the fire alarm pull closest to their workplace.

• Q&A: What does the acronym RACE stand for?

  Q: What does the acronym RACE stand for?

• When there's a fire, RACE 

  Acronyms are a great way to help employees remember things. RACE stands for:

Issue 36, September 15, 2008

• Tip of the week: REACH

  The acronym REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals

• Q&A: How will GHS and REACH impact my MSDS management program?

  Q: How will GHS and REACH impact my MSDS management program? A: The Global Harmonized System (GHS...

• The effect of GHS and REACH

  GHS and REACH mainly affect chemical manufacturers; however, the impact will affect laboratories...

Issue 35, September 8, 2008

• Quick tip: Tepid water

  If tepid water is not available, the hot water tap to the eyewash station must be turned off at the...

• Q&A: Why is tepid water required for emergency eyewashes and showers?

  Q: Why is tepid water required for emergency eyewashes and showers? A: In 1998, ANSI standard...

• Tepid water parameters

  In 2004, ANSI defied tepid water as moderately warm, lukewarm but the standard does not stipulate a...

Issue 34, August 27, 2008

• Quick tip: Cleaning eyewash covers

  Remember to clean the eyewash covers with 10% bleach and rinse with water before replacing them on...

• Q&A: Are there any particular features an eyewash should have?

  Q: Are there any particular features an eyewash should have?   A: It should provide 15 minutes...

• Eyewash design can make the difference

  There are new types of eyewash station design that meet medical irrigation protocols. They have an...

Issue 33, August 25, 2008

• Quick tip: Proper lifting

  When lifting any object from the floor, always use your thighs for leverage, not your back.

• Q&A: What is the weight limit for safe lifting?

  Q: What is the weight limit for safe lifting? A: Usually, it is no more than 50 lbs. per person...

• Protect those aching backs

  If you catch yourself saying, “Oh, my aching back” during the year, you are in good...

Issue 32, August 18, 2008

• Quick tip: Don't forget soap and water

  Remember to wash your hands with soap and water even if you use hand sanitizers throughout the day.

• Q&A: Where should the alcohol hand sanitizers be located?

  Q: Where should the alcohol hand sanitizers be located?

• Keep hand sanitizers accessible

  Often hand sanitizers are place throughout the lab; most recently, I found a pile of empty boxes...

Issue 31, August 11, 2008

• Quick tip: Accessioning personnel

  Accessioning personnel should always wear a lab coat and gloves.

• Q&A: What should we do when requisitions become contaminated with blood or body fluids?

  Q: What should we do when requisitions become contaminated with blood or body fluids?   A...

• Handling contaminated requisitions

  Some infection control practitioners feel if the blood or body fluid is dried, then you can handle...

Issue 30, August 4, 2008

• Quick tip: Make training more effective

  Safety training is most effective when you gear it to the age and literacy level of the employee.

• Q&A: Why is there so much emphasis on safety training?

  Q: Why is there so much emphasis on safety training?   A: Traditional lecture-type safety...

• Dig a little deeper on performance issues

  With all of the OSHA and accreditation requirements regarding lab safety, we are expected to...

Issue 29, July 28, 2008

• Quick tip: Benefits of exercise

  Regular exercise can help with ergonomic illnesses.

• Q&A: Are there other causes for carpal tunnel syndrome?

  Q: Are there other causes for carpal tunnel syndrome?   A: Yes, for more information read on.

• Risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome

  Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) affects an estimated two million people each year and accounts for the...

Issue 28, July 21, 2008

• Quick tip: MSDS storage

  MSDS must be stored either electronically or in hard copy.

• Q&A: What is GHS?

  Q: What is GHS?   A: GHS stands for the Globally Harmonizing System of Classification and...

• The impact of GHS in the laboratory

  GHS is a worldwide initiative to promote standard criteria for classifying chemicals according to...

Issue 27, July 14, 2008

• Quick tip: Consider online training

  Employees under age 40 generally find online training an appealing way to learn.

• Q&A: How do you train the various age groups within the laboratory?

  Q: How do you train the various age groups within the laboratory?

• Ushering in a new age of safety training

  Last week we talked about the importance of safety training. This week we are going to talk about...

Issue 25, June 30, 2008

• Quick tip: Display poster

  Display OSHA poster 3165 prominently for employees to see it.

• Q&A: What type of poster is required by OSHA to be posted in the laboratory?

  Q: What type of poster is required by OSHA to be posted in the laboratory?

• The eight Ps of safety

  To make sure that a safety mindset is inherent in every activity, practice the following eight Ps...

• Quick tip: Safety is everyone's concern

  Teaching supervisors how safety factors into their jobs is a great way to change the perception of...

• Q&A: What is the role of the lab safety officer?

  Q: What is the role of the lab safety officer? A: The lab safety officer is a liaison between...

• Lab safety education: All shifts, all the time

  The relationship between the lab safety officer and laboratory management has long been a...

Issue 24, June 23, 2008

• Quick tip: Safety glasses

  Safety glasses must be made of clear plastic with side shields.

• Q&A: What is computer vision syndrome (CVS)?

  Q: What is computer vision syndrome (CVS)?   A: CVS is an ergonomic illness associated with...

• Keep employees' eyes healthy on the job

  The aging workforce is susceptible to a variety of workplace safety risks. According to the...

Issue 23, June 16, 2008

• Quick tip: Hand hygiene

  Wash hands and areas of exposed skin well before leaving the laboratory.

• Q&A: How much does it cost for an occupational exposure due to bloodborne pathogens?

  Q: How much does it cost for an occupational exposure due to bloodborne pathogens?

• The cost of bloodborne pathogens

  According to the July 2007 issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the costs of an...

Issue 22, June 9, 2008

• Quick tip: Lift with your legs

  Quick tip: Always lift objects with your legs and not your back.

• Q&A: How do you arrange for transitional or light duties for an employee who has been injured on the job?

  Q&A: How do you arrange for transitional or light duties for an employee who has been injured...

• Return-to-work programs

  Returning injured employees back to their job in the laboratory as quickly as possible is...

Issue 21, May 23, 2008

• Quick tip: Sharps containers

  Dispose of sharps containers when they are three-fourths full.

• Q&A: How can you be sure you are complying with OSHA standards correctly?

  Q: How can you be sure you are complying with OSHA standards correctly?

• Keep an eye on OSHA interpretation letters

  The following is a list of clarifications from OSHA that came out in 2007:

• Quick tip: Safety training

  Utilize the National Safety Council Web site for ideas on safety training.

• Q&A: Are there any special considerations for safety signs?

  Q: Are there any special considerations for safety signs?

• Reflect on 2007 safety violations

  June is National Safety Month. It is time to reflect on OSHA’s top 10 safety violations for...

Issue 20, May 19, 2008

• Quick tip: Wash hands, exposed skin

  Wash hands and areas of exposed skin well before leaving the laboratory.

• Q&A: How much does it cost for an occupational exposure due to bloodborne pathogens?

  Q: How much does it cost for an occupational exposure due to bloodborne pathogens? A: Bloodborne...

• The cost of bloodborne pathogen exposures

  According to the July 2007 issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the costs of an...

Issue 19, May 12, 2008

• Quick tip: Sharps containers

  Sharps containers at seated workstations should be no more than 38–42 inches from the floor...

• Q&A: Are lancets considered sharps under the safety needle requirement of the bloodborne pathogens standard?

  Q: Are lancets considered sharps under the safety needle requirement of the bloodborne pathogens...

• Explore available safety devices

  A recent online presentation by Ron Stoker, executive director of the International Sharps Injury...

Issue 18, May 5, 2008

• Quick tip: Hematocrit tubes

  Use sealant for hematocrit tubes only once. Do not reform for reuse.

• Q&A: How often should hepatitis B vaccine be offered to an employee?

  Q: How often should hepatitis B vaccine be offered to an employee? A: Hepatitis B vaccine must be...

• Can your lab stand alone during a prolonged disaster?

  In just a few short weeks the hurricane season begins in many parts of the country. Joint...

Issue 17, April 28, 2008

• Quick tip: Task lighting

  Proper task lighting plays an important role in laboratory safety.

• Q&A: What is the number one workplace safety issue for 2008?

  Q: What is the number one workplace safety issue for 2008?

• Design safe workplaces for aging workers

  It is estimated that by 2014, the 55-and-older age group will make up 21% of the workforce. With...

Issue 16, April 22, 2008

• Quick tip: Pipette tips

  The waste receptacle for pipette tips should be no higher than the top of the tubes being filled.

• Q&A: What type of pipette is ergonomically best for laboratory use?

  Q: What type of pipette is ergonomically best for laboratory use?

• Selecting the right pipette should be a thoughtful process

  Pipette selection is seldom a well-thought-out decision. Often it is based on the lowest price...

Issue 15, April 15, 2008

• Quick tip: Encourage CPR certification

  Each employee should be encouraged to become CPR certified.

• Q&A: What is an AED?

  Q: What is an AED? A: AED stands for automated external defibrillator. They are becoming part of...

• AEDs can make all the difference

  Now that tax season is over it is time to think about the stress this and other life-changing...

Issue 14, April 8, 2008

• Quick tip: Lift objects properly

  Remember to lift heavy objects with your legs and not your back.

• Q&A: What is the best method for reducing ergonomic injuries?

  Q: What is the best method for reducing ergonomic injuries?

• Make ergonomic improvements to your workplace

  Ergonomic improvements include changing work practices or the way work is organized.

Issue 13, April 1, 2008

• Quick tip: Ergonomic training

  Ergonomic training should be done during the month of April.

• Q&A: What is a sit/stand workstation and is it helpful for all employees?

  Q: What is a sit/stand workstation and is it helpful for all employees? A: Sit/stand workstations...

• Consider benefits of sit/stand workstations

  Many labs are moving away from the traditional fixed-height workstations in favor of sit/stand...

Issue 12, March 25, 2008

• Quick tip: Environmental monitoring

  Checking environmental monitoring annually can detect small unobserved changes before they become a...

• Q&A: When should we implement a respiratory protection program?

  Q: When should we implement a respiratory protection program? A: When the time-weighted average...

• Understanding permissible exposure limits

  Each hazardous chemical in your laboratory has a permissible exposure limit (PEL) assigned to it...

Issue 11, March 14, 2008

• Quick tip: Lab coats

  Clean lab coats must be stored separately from lab coats "in use."

• Q & A: Are disposable coats acceptable for the lab?

  Are disposable coats acceptable for use in the lab?

• Disposable lab coats: No more static cling!

  New disposable lab coats make life easier for laboratorians everywhere.  

Issue 10, March 11, 2008

• Hood efficiency depends on laboratory practice

  Know the proper placement of equipment to create an efficient flow of air.

• Quick tip: Exits

  According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), hoods should not be located next to...

• Q & A: Sashes

  How close to the sash can equipment be placed in a hood?

Issue 9, March 3, 2008

• Safety quick tip

  Biosafety cabinets must be certified annually through an accreditation program of NSF...

• Q&A: What is the purpose of a biosafety cabinet?

  What is the purpose of a biosafety cabinet?

• Protect product and personnel with biosafety cabinets

  Class II biosafety cabinets are designed to protect the product as well as the personnel.

Issue 8, February 22, 2008

• Safety quick tip: Fume hoods

  Leave a hood on the "on" setting when it is not in active use if toxic substances are stored in it.

• Q&A: Fume hoods

  Under what conditions would you use a chemical fume hood?  

• Proper use of fume hoods will prevent eye, skin, respiratory problems

  By using a chemical fume hood correctly, laboratorians can lessen exposure to chemical reactions to...

Issue 7, February 15, 2008

• Safety quick tip: Hoods

  Keep working supplies and equipment at least 4 to 6 inches away from the face of the hood. 

• How do canopy, fume, and biosafety hoods differ?

  Q: How do canopy, fume, and biosafety hoods differ?  

• What you should know about canopy hoods

  Do you know the basics of canopy hoods?

Issue 6, February 12, 2008

• Quick tip: Mold

  Employee safety includes protection from molds and fungi that may be lurking in the drywall of your...

• Q&A: Mold in walls?

  Q: We have a wall that is lumpy in appearance. Is this a safety issue?

• Yes, mold management is a lab safety issue

  Wherever moisture and oxygen are present there is a chance that mold can grow.

Issue 5, February 5, 2008

• Safety quick tip:Multimedia safety training

  The use of multimedia safety training provides employees with consistent content, higher retention...

Issue 4, January 29, 2008

• Safety quick tip: Instruct employees to speak up if they see a hazard

  When moving into a new facility or one that has been renovated, employees must be encouraged to...

• Q & A: Hazard reporting

  Q: What type of reporting mechanism should be used when discovering safety violations in a new or...

• Create an employee-friendly hazard reporting system

  Employees play a key role in discovering and controlling hazards that may develop when they move to...