Safety in Laboratories: Indian Scenario
Abstract
Health and safety in clinical laboratories is becoming an increasingly important subject as a result
of emergence of highly infectious diseases such as Hepatitis and HIV. A cross sectional study
was carried out to study the safety measures being adopted in clinical laboratories of India. Heads
of laboratories of teaching hospitals of India were subjected to a standardized, pretested
questionnaire. Response rate was 44.8%. only 60% of laboratories had person in-charge of safety
in laboratory. Seventy three percent of laboratories had safety education program regarding
hazards. In 91% of laboratories staff is using protective clothing while working in laboratories.
Hazardous material regulations are followed in 78% of laboratories. Regular health check ups are
carried among laboratory staff in 43.4% of laboratories.
Safety manual is available in 56.5% of laboratories. 73.9% of laboratories are equipped with
fire extinguishers. Fume cupboards are provided in 34.7% of laboratories and they are regularly
checked in 87.5% of these laboratories. In 78.26% of laboratories suitable measures are taken to
minimize formation of aerosols.
In 95.6% of laboratories waste is disposed off as per bio-medical waste management handling
rules. Laboratory of one private medical college was accredited with NABL and safety
parameters were better in that laboratory. Installing safety engineered devices apparently
contributes to significant decrease in injuries in laboratories; laboratory safety has to be a part of
overall quality assurance programme in hospitals. Accreditation has to be made necessary for all
laboratories.
of emergence of highly infectious diseases such as Hepatitis and HIV. A cross sectional study
was carried out to study the safety measures being adopted in clinical laboratories of India. Heads
of laboratories of teaching hospitals of India were subjected to a standardized, pretested
questionnaire. Response rate was 44.8%. only 60% of laboratories had person in-charge of safety
in laboratory. Seventy three percent of laboratories had safety education program regarding
hazards. In 91% of laboratories staff is using protective clothing while working in laboratories.
Hazardous material regulations are followed in 78% of laboratories. Regular health check ups are
carried among laboratory staff in 43.4% of laboratories.
Safety manual is available in 56.5% of laboratories. 73.9% of laboratories are equipped with
fire extinguishers. Fume cupboards are provided in 34.7% of laboratories and they are regularly
checked in 87.5% of these laboratories. In 78.26% of laboratories suitable measures are taken to
minimize formation of aerosols.
In 95.6% of laboratories waste is disposed off as per bio-medical waste management handling
rules. Laboratory of one private medical college was accredited with NABL and safety
parameters were better in that laboratory. Installing safety engineered devices apparently
contributes to significant decrease in injuries in laboratories; laboratory safety has to be a part of
overall quality assurance programme in hospitals. Accreditation has to be made necessary for all
laboratories.
Mustafa, A., Jan, F. A., Qadri, G., & Tabish, S. A. (2008). Safety in Laboratories: Indian Scenario. International Journal of Health Sciences, 2(2). Retrieved from https://pub.qu.edu.sa/index.php/journal/article/view/54
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