Biological Hazards in Diagnostic Laboratories
INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE ASSIGNMENT Abstract Biological Hazards are a common risk in diagnostic laboratories today and scientists working in laboratories are faced with such hazards in their everyday routines. Although hazards are common in laboratories, there are certain safety procedures that have been implemented to reduce the risks associated with them. ... As long as the regulations and procedures are adhered to, safety in laboratories, worldwide, will only improve and reduce the risks involved with biological hazards. Key Words Biological Hazards, Universal, Laboratories, Safety, Precautions. There are many types of biological hazards that are present in laboratories that a medical scientist may have to face in their day to day work. The risks to scientists and health care workers have been identified in laboratories and certain measures have been set into place to avoid unnecessary exposure to these hazards. These measures that have been set in place are known as “Universal Precautions” and are adhered to in laboratories worldwide by health care workers. The types of hazards scientists could be exposed to primarily depends on the type of work they are doing but ultimately could range from being infected by a contaminated blood sample right up to exposure to dangerous micro-organisms. ... ) Accidental needle sticks from improperly packaged sharps and cuts from broken glass containers of body fluids are examples of biological hazards in laboratories that constitute occupational exposures.