LABORATORY ACCIDENTS

Laboratory Accidents

DEFINITION

·         Laboratory accident- Incidences and disasters which occurs in the Laboratory (occupational hazards)

·         Management of Laboratory accidents-pertains to how disasters are handled with the aim of preventing them from reoccurring.

·         Complaint- Client protest on Laboratory Services

·         Process deviations- Making short cats, moving away from standard procedures

·         Instrument problems-Problems resulting from Instrument not functioning well

·         Occurrence log- A register or form in which all laboratory incidences are recorded

·         Aerosol, i.e. Infected airborne droplets, into the atmosphere consisting of bacteria or viruses 

 Types of agents causing laboratory Accidents

The following agents can cause laboratory accidents:

·         Acids

·         Alkalis

·         Toxic substances

·         Heat

·         Broken glass

·         Contamination

·         Electric Shock

 Explain Laboratory accidents

·         Accidents in the laboratory may be caused by Acids or Alkalis through splashes on the skin, splashes in the eyes and swallowing. Toxic substances which are chemicals that cause death or serious ill health if swallowed, inhaled or if they come in contact with skin (e.g. Potassium cyanide, Sodium Azide and formaldehyde solution). Heat can cause accidents by exposure to open flames. Hot liquids, Inflammable liquids and Explosives

·         If not properly handled and stored can cause accidents. Broken glass can cause cuts, bleeding and infection. Contamination by infected material and electric shock can be the cause of laboratory accidents.

 How accidents can occur in the laboratory

·         Infection through Percutaneous: Injury

• Accidents can arise from these hazards, Percutaneous: Injury –Injury though the skin needle sticks, cut, puncture etc Splashes through the mucous membranes, namely eyes, nose and mouth can enable the microorganism to gain access of the human body

·         Infection through broken skin

• When the human body is not intact due to wound or bruises can enable the Microorganisms to enter the body, intact skin provides a good barrier 

·         Infection through Mouth

• Microorganisms may be ingested during mouth pipetting, either by direct aspiration or from the mouth end of the pipettes which have been touched by contaminated fingers. Food may become contaminated in from benches or fingers contaminated with infected material or food stored in Refrigerator with contaminated material

·         Infection through the respiratory tract

• Many common laboratory procedures with microorganisms release aerosols, i.e. infected airborne droplets, into the atmosphere consisting of bacteria or viruses 

Explain management of laboratory accidents

·         Percutaneous injury

• If exposed to blood borne pathogens (e.g., needle stick), what can one do? Wash, wash, wash, Wash with soap and water for 5 minutes, Notify supervisor immediately, Complete exposure report and evaluate the source patient with local needle stick evaluation team, regarding possible treatment and follow-up. When the source of accident is the mucous membrane flush thoroughly the affected area.

Courtesy of: Shanna Nesby-O’Dell, International Implementation of Biosafety & Biosecurity Programs U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia

Laboratory personnel clearing garbage-Bad Laboratory practice

Courtesy of: Shanna Nesby-O’Dell, International Implementation of Biosafety & Biosecurity Programs U.S.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia

·         Emergency treatment when someone is electrocuted

• When someone is electrocuted, immediately turn off the mains, remove the plug or wrench the cable free. DO NOT TOUCH THE PERSON FLESH WITH YOUR HANDS until the contact has been broken. Important: On no account try to free an electrocuted person from the electrical contact without using some form of insulation material, such as a dry thick cloth, folded laboratory coat, folded newspapers wooden or plastic stool or chair. If insulations is not used the person rescuing will also be electrocuted

·         Emergency treatment of heat and chemical burns

Heat burn

• If clothing is alight, smoother nth flames using a fire bracket. Remove the person from the danger area. Immediately plunge the burnt area into cold water or apply a pad socked in cold water (or any other non inflammable liquid) to the affected part for 10 minutes. Cover the wound with dry dressing, remove any constricting articles such as rings, bracelets before the affected area starts to swell and become blistered, provide frequent small cold drinks.

·         Chemical burn

• Wash immediately in running water for several minutes, remove any contaminated clothing neutralize with a suitable chemical as follows:- If an acid burn neutralize with Sodium bicarbonate powder, if an alkali burn neutral with boric acid powder –seek medical attention.

·         Chemical Injury to the eye

• Wash the affected eye as quickly as possible under running tape water or water from an eye wash bottle. Neutralize with suitable chemical as follows, If an acid injury neutralize with 5% Sodium bicarbonate solution, If an Alkali injury neutralize with 5% acetic acid or vinegar diluted 1in 5. Immediately seek medical attention.

Courtesy of: Shanna Nesby-O’Dell, International Implementation of Biosafety & Biosecurity Programs U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia

·         Emergency treatment for poisoning

• Swallowing of an Acid or an Alkali

Immediately rinse the mouth well with water, neutralize with a suitable chemical as follows, if Acid has been swallowed neutralize by drinking 8%W/V Magnesium hydroxide suspension (milk of magnesia) or milk. f an Alkali has been swallowed neutralize by drinking lemon juice or 1% Acetic Acid, drink 3 or 4 cups of water, seek medical attention. 

·         Swallowing of Infected material

• Immediately seek medical treatment, provide follow-up tests. Note: Mouth pipetting is main cause of accidental swallowing of chemicals or infected materials in the laboratory