Precautions And Safety Measures In A Clinical Laboratory

Namaste, welcome to our blog Dr. Health Factory,  the blog aims to share basic knowledge about facts related to human beings to all the viewers irrespective of their profession, age, and gender. 

In this article, we will share some tips on how to follow precautions and safety measures in a clinical laboratory. And if you are interested in more articles, then make sure to comment with us below.

Biochemical laboratory:

Biochemical laboratories are seen in every school, college, university, hospital, and clinic. As the need for such labs are very crucial for better understanding and developing practical skills, but due to a lack of precautions and safety measures, accidents may take place in the laboratory where students and clinical staff suffer. 

Biochemical/clinical labs consist of chemicals, corrosive solvents, acids, glasswares, gas supply, etc. These should be handled with care when mishandled results in severe damage to life and lab. So to avoid accidents follow the precautions mentioned below. 

Precautions and safety measures to be followed in clinical/ chemical laboratory:

• A person should be able to handle glassware, chemicals, instruments with care.

• Rubber gloves should be used while handling corrosive and poisonous chemicals.

• Safety spectacles should be used to protect eyes from splashes of the reagents.

• Safety woods and cabinets should be used while handling corrosive reagents.

• Lab coats have to be used to avoid corrosive splashes and infectious materials.

• One must avoid eating and drinking in the lab.

• Urine, CSE, and blood should be handled with care, as they are sources of infections like hepatitis and HIV.

• The Bunsen burner should not be used, when inflammable materials like ether, alcohol, and acetone are kept around.

• Smoking in the lab is strictly prohibited.

• One should not store flammable solvents in a deep freezer or refrigerator, where the thermostat is inside the compartment.

• One should not follow mouth pipetting but should use a micropipette.

• Electric heater and other electronic appliances should be checked regularly and any damages should be rectified immediately.

• Reactions with infectious and harmful chemicals should be performed in a place with adequate ventilation.

• One should carry large bottles by holding with both hands.

• The bottles containing reagents and chemicals should be clearly labeled.

• Bottles of concentrated acids should be kept in a tray filled with sand.

• The clinical lab should be cleaned daily with suitable disinfectants.

• Bottles containing chemicals should be kept on the shelves lower than the eye level.

• An alcohol-based hand-rub or soap should be used frequently for hand wash after handling chemicals and blood specimens.

• Biochemical waste management should be followed regularly and should dispose of waste materials after making them harmless.

• While stirring and cooling chemicals, water should be added slowly.

• One should wash their hands at least 20 to 30 seconds after been contact with the chemicals and specimens.

• Acids and alkalis should be neutralized prior to their washing in the skin.

• In the clinic lab, there should exist safety signs so that one can prevent accidents by reading them.

• The clinical lab should have a setup of alarms.

• Any leakage of gas in the lab should be repaired immediately.

• Clinical chemicals should not be kept near the ovens or steam.

• One should not be in contact with the solvents having toxic vapors like chlorinated hydrocarbons, which can cause liver damage on exposure.

• While in the lab, one should avoid contamination of the skin with clinical solvents.

• Clinical labs should never keep the chemicals in direct sunlight.

If you are interested, you can follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter through the links provided on the home page, so that you can get immediate notification of our latest updates.