We introduce 20 hours laboratory safety course through distance learning, online instructor led, and three days classroom sessions. After completion the course you will be familiar with OSHA Laboratory Standard and Requirements, different lab hazards & control measures, chemicals safe storage, labels & sources of information, hazard communication, responsibilities, chemical hygiene plan, and the actions in case of lab emergencies. The student will receive a course completion certificate after pass the 30 multi choice exam. The course approved from the National Association of Safety Professionals (NASP) and the student can request international certificate approved and recognized all over the world.
The laboratory environment can be a hazardous place to work, and Laboratory workers are exposed to numerous potential hazards including chemical, biological, physical and radioactive hazards, as well as musculoskeletal stresses. These basic rules provide behavior, hygiene, and safety information to avoid accidents in the laboratory. In addition, OSHA implement Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories in 1990.
In labs there are list of some hazards that need to be identified which are Physical, Chemical, Health, Biological, Ergonomic, Noise, Glassware washing, and Vacuum Pressure Operations. Examples of physical hazards that came from Compressed gases, Electrical equipment, Lasers, Thermal hazards, Radiation…etc.
Chemical hazards fall into 3 main categories: Flammables, Corrosives, and Reactive and oxidizers chemicals. Health hazards can cause acute and chronic effects, irritant, carcinogenic, and sensitizers are a good examples of health hazards in laboratory. Blood and body fluids, culture specimens, body tissue and cadavers, and laboratory animals are examples of lab hazards.
Ergonomics hazards are rarely existing in laboratory but should be recognized as well like repetitive motion, and standing & working in awkward positions in front of laboratory hoods/biological safety cabinets. Laboratory workers are exposed to noise from a variety of sources like operation of large analyzers, fume hoods, biological safety cabinets, incubators, centrifuges, cell washers, sonicators, and stirrer motors, all contribute to the noise level in laboratories.
The types of measures that may be used to protect laboratory workers, prioritized from the most effective to least effective, are: Engineering controls; Administrative controls; Work practices; and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Most employers use a combination of control methods that give more effectiveness.
Engineering controls are those that involve making changes to the work environment to reduce work related hazards. These types of controls are preferred over all others because they make permanent changes that reduce exposure to hazards and do not rely on worker behavior. This course emphasizes more information about Chemical Hoods, and Biological Safety Cabinets. Developing a Chemical Hygiene Plan; and Developing Standard Operating Procedures for chemical handling are examples of administrative controls. In work practice controls there is very important point which is the when defining safe work practice controls, it is a good idea for the employer to ask workers for their suggestions, since they have firsthand experience with the tasks as actually performed. Finally, as last resort in hazard controls the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like face shields, goggles and disposable gloves that depend on the performing task.
The course illustrates the chemicals storage and segregation criteria and instructions. For instance, Store chemicals that can ignite at room temperature in a flammable’s cabinet. According to OSHA, the Chemical Hygiene Plan (CIP) must include standard operating procedures, criteria for the implementation of chemical control measures, measures to ensure proper operation of engineering controls, provisions for the training of workers, provisions for medical consultation in the case of exposure, designation of responsible people in the lab, and identification of procedures for the use of particularly hazardous substances or procedures. Information and training must be conducted by the employer to ensure that the employees are familiar with hazards and their control measures while implementing the tasks.
Additionally, the course provides examples of Laboratory Equipment’s Hazards Identification and Controls as Autoclaves, Sterilizers, Centrifuges, Microwave Ovens, Lab Sinks, and Lab Refrigerator. Chemicals Labels, Pictograms, Signal and Statement are useful tool to identify the hazards, and this is why it were deeply described in this course specially the 16 components of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) & other sources of information (NFPA, HMIS, and ERG). Lab emergencies likely to be exist as Fire cases, first aid cases, Spillage cases, Trips, Slips, Falls, and Gas leak. This course describes these emergencies and how to response.
To fulfill with OSHA lab safety standard, you should be familiar with the other related OSHA guidelines and standards (i.e., Respiratory Protection standard). To get a lab safe environment, all parties (employer, and all personal in all designations) should work together with a clear roles and responsibilities. We recommend all lab employees to sign up with this course, increase your safety knowledge, and get your international certificate. This course is completely complying with OSHA Standards and requirements and have some selective and technical lab safety hazards and control videos. For more information about the course description, and objectives just browse our website (www.osheqplanet.com).
