Half-day Workshop on Laboratory Safety

The workshop on Laboratory Safety was organized by SHE Sub Work Group (Laboratory), Hong Kong Science and Technology Park Corporations on 21 February 2014. Topics for discussion is focus on sharing actual safety practices, and review of real laboratory accident cases.

The first speaker was Mr. S.K. Lam (Director of University Safety, CUHK) and his topic named “Workshop on Laboratory Safety: Chemicals and Biological”. In the beginning, Mr. Lam introduced the principles of Laboratory Safety “RERER”, indicating “Recognition of Hazards”, “Evaluation of Risks”, “Reduction of Hazards”, “Emergency Preparedness” and “Review System and Incidents”.

He said most Lab Safety Management System originate from BS 8800 (for construction site safety mainly) with 14 elements. Most of universities in Hong Kong (e.g. CUHK, PolyU, CityU & BUHK) are following AS 2243. HKU is following BS 7258 and HKUST is following USA system. In CUHK, they employed Centralized MSDS Database which online in each laboratory with different languages (Cost ~ HK$100,000 per year).

Since there are more than 800 laboratories in CUHK, they need to train different student and assign departmental safety coordinators to perform the duty such as chemical inventory check, safety inspection, etc. Moreover, they employed buddy system (Two people operate together as a single unit so as to help each other) for working in the laboratory especially at night.

Then Mr. Lam shared some real cases below.
Case 1 was fire on open branch. Root cause identified (1) keep alcohol lamp on even when no longer needed; (2) lack of concentration during work; and (3) old habit never dies.
Case 2 was chemical bomb because of expired chemical becoming unstable. Root cause identified: (1) excessive chemicals purchased; and (2) no one takes responsibility in inventory control.
Case 3 was release of NO2 from open bench experiment. Root cause identified: (1) no safety briefing to new lab users; (2) no coordination in facility maintenance; and (3) insufficient knowledge on hazardous.
Case 4 was Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) Poisoning in Australia. The technician knocked over a small quantity (between 100 to 230 ml) of HF onto his lap, splashing both thighs. Since no calcium gluconate gel was applied to the affected area and contaminated clothing was not removed during the flushing with water, the technical was in severe pain. The injured man’s right leg was amputated 7 days after the incident and subsequently died from multi-organ failure 15 days after the spill. Root cause identified: (1) Inadequate PPE used when handling HF; (2) no Calcium Gluconate gel available; and (3) Working alone with highly hazardous chemicals.

Mr. Lam said there is no BioHazard Level 4 laboratory in Hong Kong. Biological material is not like chemical to have completely MSDS eventhough it is preparing now.
He pointed some safety precautions in Microbiological Lab such as secondary container for transport of specimen – autoclavable, resistance to chemical disinfectants, internal rack to sit primary container upright. Use of BSC should follow the standard as BS 7258 (BS EN 14175), AS/NZS 2243.3: 2010, etc.
Case 1 for biological incident such as Needle stick injury was found in hospital. Root cause identified: (1) pressing workload and a deadline to beat; and (2) inadequate funding to change to safety syringes.

The second speaker was Mr. S.T. Yip (Safety Officer, University Safety Office, CUHK) and his topic named “Ionizing Radiation Issues in Laboratory” and “Laser and Mechanical Safety Issues in Laboratory”.

Firstly, Mr. Yip briefed the history and background information about ionization radiation. Thorium (232) and Uranium (235) were discussed. Then he mentioned three paths to exposure to radiation such as “Medical”, “Occupational” and “Public”.

The legist ration of radiation in Hong Kong was stated such as Radiation Ordinance Cap. 303 and Import (Radiation) (Prohibition) Regulation Cap. 60K. The following situation will be controlled by ordinance if:
Irradiating Apparatus > 5uSv/hr at 5 cm
Radioactive Substance > 75 Bq/g

Some dose limits on Radiation (IA) Regulations were shown as follows:
Radiation workers: 20 mSv/year
Public: 1mSv/year
Controlled Area: (IA > 3 uSv/h and RS > 1 uSV/hr)

Then the most dangerous source red sign label was demonstrated and we need to stay far and report to your supervisor.

For Laser Hazards (Non-ionizing Radiation), the following items should be concerned:
- Coherent radiation (Laser Beam)
- Non-coherent radiation (UV)
- High voltage (Diffuse Viewing Only (DVO) and arc upto 3 inch if 1500V)
- Chemical
- Toxic Fume / gases

Radioactive Waste management in Hong Kong was introduced:
- Sealed source (e.g. return to manufacturer)
- Unsealed source (e.g. delay and decay)
- Discharge limit (e.g. 1 Annual Limit Intake (ALI) per month)

For compress gas cylinder, press check should be performed every 5 year.

Reference:
Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (5th Edition) CDC - http://www.cdc.gov/biosafety/publications/bmbl5/bmbl.pdf

Related activities in HKSTP & HKTIC:
20081211 - HKTIC Laboratory Biosafety Training - http://qualityalchemist.blogspot.hk/2008/12/laboratory-biosafety.html
20101004 - HKSP 1st Occupational Safety and Health Conference - http://qualityalchemist.blogspot.hk/2010/10/hksp-1st-occupational-safety-and-health.html
20111027 - HKSP 2nd Occupational Safety and Health Conference - http://qualityalchemist.blogspot.hk/2011/10/hksp-2nd-occupational-safety-and-health.html

Laboratory Biosafety Training

I attended a course named “Laboratory Biosafety”, organized by Hong Kong Association for Testing, Inspection and Certification Ltd. (HKTIC) on 11 Dec 2008.

The trainer was Mr. Y.K. Wan and the course scopes included Risk Assessment, Laboratory Practices, Biosafety cabinet, Sterilization and Laboratory Design.

Unacceptable risks can be found during risk assessment. Risk assessment has 5 steps:
Step 1 – gathering information
Step 2 – evaluating risks to health
Step 3 – deciding what needs to be done to control or prevent exposures
Step 4 – recording the assessment
Step 5 – reviewing the assessment

Programs & Committees for laboratory Biosafety are:
- Biosafety Committee
- Biological Agent Inspection
- Workplace Complaints
- Incident Review
- Medical Surveillance
- PPE
- Respiratory Protection
- Equipment Maintenance
- HEPA Filter-containing Equipment Certification
- Safety Training (including Animal Handling, GLP, Spill Control, Signage)
- Emergency Response
- Construction and Renovation
- Facilities Maintenance
- Pest Control
- Waste Control, Treatment and Disposal

Strategic laboratory management of risks on handling biological materials is:
· to develop safety policy and manual
· to implement safety policy
· to determine the risks and the associated Biosafety levels
· to promote safe operational practices in laboratories
· to maintain containment facilities and equipment
· to control import, export, application, and inventory of biohazardous agents
· to provide training to staff and visitor
· to monitor, review, advise the Biosafety management

Biohazardous substances is defined as:
The biological agents such as animals, plants, microorganisms, or the derived substances whatever nature survived or genetically modified that are able to produce deleterious effects on humans, animals, and plants.

Laboratory-acquired infections are transmitted:
- from the agents being directly handled
- by the person who do the laboratory work
- as the result of escape of agents

It may be caused by:
- Inadequate risk assessment
- Inadequate knowledge of disease (e.g. route of infection)
- Improper handling materials (e.g. hidden pathogens)
- Improper handling contaminated equipment and apparatus
- Improper facilities or practices
- Insufficient decontamination
- Insufficient personal protection


One of routes of transmission is Zoonoses which spread between people and animals. Needlestick handling is one of the high risk items. Needle safety should be taken care (Don’t put needle in your lab coat.)

There are four Biosafety Levels (BSL) in the following table.

Biohazard Symbol and label should be used properly.

The Equipment- and technique- related hazards included “Inoculating loop”, “Pipettes”, “Hypodermic needles and syringes”, “Centrifugation”, “Blending, homogenizing and shaking”, “Opening cultures and ampoules”, “Pouring infectious material”, “Breakage and spillage”, “Sharps”, “Ultrasonic devices”, “ELISA equipment”, “Liquid nitrogen”, “Water bath”, “Autoclaves and incinerators”, “Flow cytometer / cell sorter”, “Cryostat microtome”, “Films and smears for microscopy”, “Automated equipment”, etc.


Laboratory Animal should be taken attention!

Handling biohazardous substances, doubled gloves should be used.

Based on EPD – Practice Notes on the Disposal of Clinical Waste at Landfills, the Solid Clinical / Biological Wastes are classified as follows:
Type 1 – Contaminated Sharps
Type 2 – Laboratory Wastes
Type 3 – Human and Animal Tissue
Type 4 – Infectious Material
Type 5 – Soiled Dressings
Type 6 – Cytotoxic Wastes
Type 7 – Pharmaceutical and Chemical Wastes

Disposal of biological waste should be noticed:
- Register bag packaging system
- Sterilization / Disinfection / Decontamination is required
- Wastes are packaged in leak proof containers
- Sharps must be put into sharp box
- Carcass / organs / tissues are frozen
- Adequate absorbent is placed in package
- Maximum weight of each package are less than 20kg.

Emergency contingency plans has Manual (or SOP / Guidelines) and Training for
- Spillage
- Loss of biological agents (e.g. patient sample)
- Malpractice (e.g. labeling)
- Shutdown of facilities (e.g. exhaust air treatment equipment)
- Security
- Bioterrorism

Different types of Biosafety Cabinet (BSC) were introduced.

The level of sterilant and Disinfectant power are shown.

Lastly, trainer introduced the laboratory design. Risk assessment of building is showed below.

The autoclave is designed with double-door and unidirectional material flow.

The course content was so many and not recorded in details. If you are interested in, please visit HKTIC website at http://www.hktic.org/ to join the next round training.