CAP Pro Course - Safety - Hazardous Chemicals

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Author: Cheryl Bentley, MLS(ASCP)CM
Reviewer: Robert Nickla, RBP, M(ASCP)

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Identify the hazardous chemical classes commonly used in a clinical laboratory and the associated labeling requirements.
  • Demonstrate proper storage techniques for hazardous chemicals.
  • Recognize where to locate and how to utilize chemical hazard and safety information.
  • Define safe work practices and demonstrate proper use of safety equipment.

Course Outline

  • Identify the hazardous chemical classes commonly used in a clinical laboratory and the associated labeling requirements.
      • Hazardous Chemical Classification in the Clinical Laboratory
      • Labeling of Hazardous Chemicals
      • Primary Container Labeling
      • Secondary Container Labeling
      • When pouring a hazardous chemical, such as methanol, from a primary container into a smaller secondary container, what is a common hazard warning used...
      • When using the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) diamond to indicate a chemical's hazards, what is used to indicate the severity of any haza...
      • A chemical is defined as hazardous if it is capable of causing harm. Many chemicals found in the laboratory may cause a threat to laboratory personnel...
      • Connie's laboratory uses a small point-of-care instrument for influenza testing. The daily maintenance includes wiping down the outside of the instrum...
  • Demonstrate proper storage techniques for hazardous chemicals.
      • Storage of Hazardous Chemicals
      • What class of hazardous chemical should never be stored together with a flammable chemical?
      • Cathy's laboratory is moving into a brand new area that has been built onto the hospital. When the new flammable storage cabinet arrives, she tries to...
      • Due to the reactive nature of chemicals, it is critical to ensure proper storage. Care should be taken not to store incompatible chemicals together. F...
      • Kelly is assisting other members of the laboratory staff as they prepare for the opening of a new facility. New instruments are in place, and supplies...
      • What is the safest storage option for a chemical identified as toxic and flammable?
      • What is the characteristic of oxidizers that make them incompatible with many other materials in storage?
  • Recognize where to locate and how to utilize chemical hazard and safety information.
      • Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
      • Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP)
      • You notice that one of the reagents used in your chemistry department has the "acute toxicity" pictogram (pictured to the right), and you would like t...
      • All of the following should be included in your facility's chemical hygiene plan (CHP) except for which of the following?
      • The most comprehensive document for information on a hazardous chemical is the chemical's safety data sheet (SDS). As defined by the Globally Harmoniz...
      • Mary has volunteered to be the safety officer for her laboratory and would like to review its policies and procedures for handling hazardous chemicals...
      • The image to the right is the safety data sheet (SDS) for formalin. According to the SDS, which of the following is not listed as a formalin hazard?
      • Which of the following agencies sets mandatory standards for chemical hazard communication and requires that laboratories have up-to-date safety data ...
  • Define safe work practices and demonstrate proper use of safety equipment.
      • Safety Equipment
      • Safe Work Practices
      • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
      • Engineering Controls
      • Emergency Aids
      • Engineering controls are the first lines of defense against exposure to chemical hazards in the laboratory. They physically change an instrument or la...
      • You are preparing to perform the weekly maintenance on your chemistry analyzers today. This maintenance requires the use of 1.0 N HCl, which can cause...
      • Michael, a medical technologist, has some free time and has offered to help the pathology department with making small containers of 10% formalin (fla...
      • Each laboratory management team is required to provide certain equipment, policies, and procedures that, when followed, help minimize or prevent the i...
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction:  Basic
Intended Audience: This program is designed as an educational and training tool for MLS and MLT personnel, medical laboratory science students and interns, pathology residents, and practicing pathologists.
Author Information:  Cheryl Bentley, MLS(ASCP)CM received her degree in Medical Laboratory Technology from Clayton State University in Morrow, Georgia. Cheryl began her career as a generalist at Henry Medical Center in Stockbridge, Georgia and is currently the Clinical Laboratory Supervisor at Gwinnett Medical Center in Duluth, Georgia.
Reviewer Information:  Rob Nickla, RBP, M(ASCP), began his public health career in 2004 at the Arizona State Public Health Laboratory where he was a Public Health Microbiologist in the sections of Mycobacteriology, Bacteriology, and Virology. He has since worked as the State Training Coordinator and Bioterrorism Training Coordinator in the Bioemergency Response Section and as an Associate Biosafety Officer in the Environmental Health and Safety Department at Arizona State University (ASU). Currently, Rob is the BT and CT LRN (Laboratory Response Network) Coordinator and State Training Coordinator with the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory (OSPHL).

This course is part of the CAP Competency Assessment Hub.

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