Microbiological Laboratory
Safety Issues
Chapter 9
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Learning Objectives
Lesson 9.1: Microbiological
Laboratory Safety Issues
1. Define the various safety issues and safety
precautions laboratory workers and
administrators need to consider
2. Identify the agencies involved in the
development, control, and oversight of safety
issues in the laboratory environment
3. Name and explain the different levels of
biosafety
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Learning Objectives
Lesson 9.1: Microbiological
Laboratory Safety Issues (Cont.)
4. Give examples of organisms handled in the
different biosafety levels
5. Describe the different equipment used in a
laboratory setting and explain the role of
each
6. Explain the role of protective gear used in
the laboratory and discuss the use of each
7. Discuss the safety regulations and concerns
in healthcare facilities
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Learning Objectives
Lesson 9.1: Microbiological
Laboratory Safety Issues (Cont.)
8. Specify the regulatory and safety issues in
physicians’ offices and clinics
9. Describe the general safety requirements for
hospitals, nursing homes, and personal care
facilities
[Link] the agencies involved in the
surveillance, regulations, and support of the
emergency response
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Laboratory Safety
⬤Biosafety—involves biological agents
⮚ Bacteria
⮚ Viruses
⮚ Fungi
⮚ Other microorganisms and their toxins
⮚ All can adversely affect human health
• Mild allergic reactions
• Serious medical conditions
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Laboratory Safety (Cont.)
⬤Biosafety
⮚ Guidelines and standards available to all
microbiology laboratories
⮚ OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health
Administration
⮚ CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
⮚ WHO: World Health Organization
⮚ HHS: U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services
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Biosafety Levels (BSLs)
⬤BSL-1
⮚ Working with microorganisms that generally do not
cause disease in healthy humans
⬤BSL-2
⮚ Laboratories designed to work with agents that
may be considered a moderate risk to the
personnel
⮚ Containment devices, administrative controls, and
more strict guidelines than in BSL-1
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Organisms for Biosafety Level 1
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Organisms for Biosafety Level 2
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Biosafety Levels (BSLs) (Cont.)
⬤BSL-3
⮚ Applies to clinical, diagnostic, teaching, research,
production laboratories using original or exotic
agents
⮚ These agents can potentially cause serious
disease or lethality
⮚ Increased laboratory safety
⮚ Increased training of laboratory personnel
⮚ Limited access to the laboratory
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Organisms for Biosafety Level 3
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Biosafety Levels (BSLs) (Cont.)
⬤BSL-4
⮚ Required when working with exotic agents
⮚ Agents with a high risk of aerosol transmission
⮚ Infections that are life threatening
⮚ Staff in these laboratories have specific training
⮚ Facilities handling these agents are in separate
buildings or in controlled areas—completely
isolated from all other areas
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Organisms for Biosafety Level 4
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Chemicals in the Laboratory
⬤Standards for the safe use and handling of
chemicals
⬤MSDSs for each chemical in each laboratory
⮚ Developed by NIOSH in connection with OSHA
⮚ NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
• Key information and data for chemicals
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Manufacturer’s Material Safety
Data Sheet (MSDS)
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Radiation
⬤Ionizing or nonionizing
⮚ Radioactive chemicals
⮚ UV light
⮚ Visible light
⬤Radiation damage
⮚ May occur as a result of a single (large) exposure
⮚ May be a cumulative process involving repeated
small doses
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Noise
⬤Equipment potentially generating damaging
levels of sound energy
⮚ Pumps, ultrasonicators
⬤Simple hearing protection is usually sufficient
⮚ Damage is often cumulative and irreversible
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Thermal
⬤Exposure to any temperature extreme can
cause tissue damage
⮚ Protective gear and clothing should always be
used in this circumstance
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Laboratory Safety Equipment
⬤Fire extinguishers
⬤Fume hoods
⬤Autoclave
⬤Eyewashes and safety showers
⬤Refrigerators/freezers
⬤Disposal of hazardous waste
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Fire Extinguishers
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Fume Hoods
⬤General purpose hoods
⮚ Standard, constant volume, variable air volume,
and auxiliary air supply
⬤Radioisotope hoods
⮚ Tested and authorized for use with volatile
radioactive materials
⬤Biosafety cabinets
⮚ Prevent or minimize exposure to biohazardous
agents
⬤Perchloric acid hoods
⮚ Must be used with procedures using perchloric acid
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Showers and Eyewashes
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Waste Disposal
⬤Broken glass
⬤Biohazardous wastes
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Waste Disposal (Cont.)
⬤Sharps containers
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Protective Gear
⬤Gloves
⮚ Generally latex
⮚ Nonlatex available because of allergies
⬤Respiratory protection
⮚ Various types
⬤Clothing
⮚ Laboratory coats at all times
⬤Eye protection
⮚ Mandatory in many laboratories
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Safety in Healthcare Facilities
⬤Hospitals, clinics, dental offices, outpatient
surgery centers, birthing centers, nursing
homes
⬤Safety issues
⮚ Blood-borne pathogens
⮚ Biological hazards
⮚ Potential chemical and drug exposure
⮚ Waste products
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Safety in Healthcare Facilities:
Blood-Borne Pathogens
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Physicians’ Offices and Clinics
⬤Documented management procedures
⮚ Blood-borne pathogen training
⮚ Medical device safety and management
⮚ Infection control and environmental safety
⮚ Patient safety
⮚ Facility and worker safety and security
⮚ Regulatory and governmental agency
requirements
⮚ Record keeping and prescription medication safety
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Hospital Safety
⬤Regulated and complex
⮚ Industrial hygiene
⮚ Hazard communication and training
⮚ Hazardous waste disposal procedures
⮚ Disaster preparation procedures
⮚ Risk management procedures
⮚ Other special topics
⮚ OSHA regulations apply
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Nursing Homes and
Personal Care Facilities
⬤Highest rates of injury and illness among
healthcare industries
⬤OSHA
⮚ Ergonomic guidelines for nursing home personnel
to prevent musculoskeletal disorder
⬤Other concerns
⮚ Transmission of bacterial and viral infections
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Emergency Response
⬤Laboratory workers need to know specific
emergency procedures for their institutions
⬤OSHA regulations need to be followed
⬤Standards include hazardous waste
operations and emergency response
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Questions?
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