As is the case with any business, there is always the chance that things will go wrong in the laboratory. This could include a chemical exposure, but it could also be a fire, an electrical emergency, or other personal injuries.
A laboratory professional needs to be aware of all hazards in the workplace, and also needs to be ready to respond to emergencies appropriately.
It is always essential for any business to have a plan of action in case of an emergency, but it is even more criti- cal for a health-care facility such as a laboratory. Employ- ees are not only responsible for themselves, but also for the patients in their presence at the time of the incident. Appropriate training and careful planning may dictate the difference between a positive or negative outcome of an emergency situation. This includes posting of emer- gency numbers (such as 911 or another internal number in a large facility for emergency response), maps showing the closest exit from various places within the building, employee training on use of fire extinguishers, and haz- ard identification.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has developed a labeling system that provides general information to employees and rescuers about the health, flammability, or reactivity hazard of chemicals. These categories are represented by blue, red, yellow, and white diamonds, each containing a number. The colors of the diamonds represent the different types of hazards, and the number contained within each diamond indi- cates the severity of the hazard. The blue diamond rep- resents the respective health danger with exposure to the chemical. The red diamond indicates flammability haz- ard, and the yellow diamond indicates the reactivity potential for the chemical if exposed to increased heat or other conditions. There is also a white diamond, which
may include a special symbol, indicating whether a chemical is radioactive or reacts with water (Fig. 3-5).
Chapter 3 Laboratory Safety and Preventing the Spread of Disease 51
Figure 3-5 NFPA chemical fire symbol.
Test Your Knowledge 3-19
How do the NFPA fire labels protect employees?
(Outcome 3-14) HEALTH HAZARD 4 - Deadly 3 - Extreme danger 2 - Hazardous 1 - Slightly hazardous 0 - Normal material FIRE HAZARD Flash Points: 4 - Below 73°F 3 - Below 100°F 2 - Above 100°F, not exceeding 200°F 1 - Above 200°F 0 - Will not burn REACTIVITY 4 - May detonate 3 - Shock and heat may detonate
2 - Violent chemical change 1 - Unstable if heated 0 - Stable SPECIFIC HAZARD Oxidizer Acid Alkali Corrosive Use NO WATER Radioactive OX ACID ALK CORR W Fire Safety
In order to keep themselves and those around them as safe as possible, all employees should know the proce- dures to follow in case of fire in their facility. Fire safety basics such as Stop, Drop, and Roll (in the case of clothing that has caught on fire) are likely familiar con- cepts. However, when in the workplace, there are more aspects to consider: Where are the fire extinguishers? How do I use them? What can I do if there is not one nearby? Where is the nearest exit? How do I call for help? These are all questions that should be answered in initial training, and the procedures should be reviewed on a regular basis.
According to the National Fire Protection Associa- tion, there are four classifications used to describe fires, each of which has its own type of fire extinguisher to be used. Multipurpose extinguishers are also available to use for Class A, B, or C fires.
• Class A: Class A fires involve common household ma-
solution is needed to put out this type of fire, and these are contained in a Class A extinguisher.
• Class B: Class B fires generally involve flammable liq-
uids and/or vapors, and they need to be smothered to be put out. The Class B extinguishers contain chemi- cals, carbon dioxide or foam.
• Class C: Class C fires are related to electrical equip-
ment, so special care must be used to extinguish them. If the solution used to extinguish the fire conducts electricity, the fire will not be extinguished. The Class C extinguishers use chemicals or other types of sub- stances that do not conduct electricity.
• Class D: Class D fires frequently lead to explosions, as
they occur with reactive metals such as sodium or potassium. They are very difficult to control, and there is not a fire extinguisher available in most sites to extinguish this type of fire. Sand or other dry powder agents work best for this type of fire.
Fast action is critical when a fire is discovered to keep those in the workplace as safe as possible. A common acronym recommended to help those facing a fire remem- ber what to do is RACE: Rescue, Alarm, Confinement, Extinguish. Table 3-1 lists the letters and expands on the meaning.
shock, remember that you must stay safe in order to help those who have been injured. Shut off the source of the electricity immediately, if possible. Do not touch the victim if you are unable to shut off the source of the electricity. Call for emergency assistance immediately. If the source of electricity has been eliminated, evaluate the victim and begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if necessary.
Body Mechanics
As a medical assistant working in a laboratory environ- ment, you may be performing numerous venipunctures each shift. These procedures often require bending over the patient sitting in the phlebotomy chair, or perhaps in a hospital setting, bending over the bed of a patient. This bending can cause a great deal of stress to the muscles of the back and neck, resulting in pain. There are addi- tional duties in the laboratory that may require lifting or carrying equipment trays or supplies. A laboratory pro- fessional may need to assist a patient with transfer from a wheelchair to an examination table or other chair. In all these situations, it is important to keep your back as healthy as possible. Stretches and regular exercise help, as well as staying close to an ideal body weight. Remember to use the muscles in your legs when lifting heavy objects, and when carrying heavy objects keep them close to your body and avoid twisting motions. Change your position as often as possible; avoid sitting or stand- ing for prolonged periods without a break. If patient transfer is part of the duties for a medical assistant in your work environment, appropriate techniques should be part of the initial training for employees.