This document provides a safety manual for laboratory workers. It introduces potential hazards in laboratories including chemical, biological, physical and ergonomic risks. The manual aims to ensure all laboratory staff follow safety procedures to protect themselves, others in the laboratory, and the external environment from infectious materials. It applies to all personnel working in medical laboratories and provides policies on general safety practices, such as wearing protective equipment and properly handling specimens and hazardous materials. The responsibilities of safety officers and all laboratory staff are outlined.

1. Introduction:
Laboratory workers are exposed to numerous potential hazards including chemical,
biological and physical as well as musculoskeletal stresses.
The purpose of this laboratory safety manual is to provide information concerning
general safety policy statement of Pathology Laboratories with general safety notes.
and procedures in their health institution and thereby promote a safe working
environment. It contain the protection of personnel and the immediate laboratory
environment from exposure to infectious agents, is provided by good technique and
the use of appropriate equipment. Also it contain the protection of the environment
external to the laboratory from exposure to infectious materials, is provided by a
combination of facility design and operational practices.
Scope (Application):
This manual applies to all personnel working in the laboratories of all polyclinics and
health center in the ministry of health including medical laboratory technicians,
pathologists, medical orderlies, receptionist, trainees, students and interns from
institute of health sciences.
Purpose:
The main aims are:
1. To ensure that all personnel working in laboratory follow the safety
regulations when working in the medical laboratories at all times.
2. To provide information concerning general safety policy statement of
Pathology Laboratories with general safety notes and procedures in their
health institution and thereby promote a safe working environment
3. It contain the protection of personnel and the immediate laboratory
environment from exposure to infectious agents, is provided by good
technique and the use of appropriate equipment.
4. Also it contain the protection of the environment external to the laboratory
from exposure to infectious materials, is provided by a combination of facility
design and operational practices.
5. To ensure all staff working in the medical laboratories are competent to do
their tasks, and to give them adequate training.
Policy:

2.  It is the overriding policy of health and safety manual provided by ministry
of health that laboratory work is done efficiently and safely. Staff
members are required to observe certain safety procedures.
 The Safety officers and head of each lab unit are responsible for
implementing the laboratory safety practices.
 Each member of the lab has a statutory duty to take care and ensure the
safety of all lab staff/visitors .
 Matters affecting safety must be dealt with immediately.
 Each member of the lab should follow the instruction of lab health and
safety manual
 In case of ill health the staff involved should consult health and safety
environment officer .
 All staff should immediately inform health and safety officer of the
department of any incidence.
 Anyone who knowingly endangers the health of fellow employees by
failing to observe these guideline will be disciplined.
 All personnel working in laboratories should attend training in health and
safety whenever it is conducted at their respective institutions.
GENERAL LABORATORY SAFETY
 It is the responsibility of all lab staff to ensure that their actions do not
jeopardize their safety or that of other members of the facility.
 It is essential that each staff understands the operation of all equipment that
he/she uses. Misuse can lead to personal injury or expensive damage. All new
staff must be instructed on the correct use of equipment and materials. It is
important to obtain help before starting if one is unsure about any operation
procedure.
 Lab coats must be worn at all times. Lab coats must be removed when leaving
the work place.
 Smoking is not permitted in any part of the lab infrastructure.

3.  Food and drink must not be consumed in the lab neither should it be stored in
lab refrigerators.
 Loose jewelry should not be worn in the lab as they may get caught into
machines and be damaged or cause injury to the user/instrument.
 All specimens should be handled as being potentially hazardous. Gloves must
be worn when handling samples.
 High-risk activities should not be undertaken after normal working hours. If
this is unavoidable then it is essential that a person of authority is informed of
the nature, duration and location of the job. Safety spectacles/visors must be
worn when carrying out any procedure where there is a risk of eye injury.
 Use a proper carrier when carrying Winchester or large bottles. Bottles/glass
items must not be carried by the neck.
 Mouth pipetting is strictly forbidden. Mechanical pipetting should always be
used.
 Fire doors should never be left opened unless they are regulated by a system
that closes them in the event of a fire.
 All workers should familiarize themselves with the location of first aid kits,
fire alarms, fire extinguishers and emergency exits in the labs.
 Samples stored in the cold room and freezers should be properly labeled.
 Staffs are responsible for maintaining their work-place in a clean and tidy
condition. When leaving the department, all staff is responsible for the safe
disposal of all their chemical, solvents and cultures etc. Good housekeeping is
essential to safe working.
 All workers are responsible for ensuring that their equipments are safe and
free from any contamination before requesting repair or service.
 Any apparatus that is left on overnight should be checked by the worker
concerned to ensure that there is no danger of fire or flood. Any service or
apparatus that is running continuously should be labeled accordingly.
 Fume cupboard fans should be switched off at night or when the cupboard is
not in use. If experiments require overnight running of the fume cupboard this
should be stated on a prominently displayed notice. Fume cupboards should
not be used as storage areas.

4.  Members of the department are reminded that labs and workshops are
particularly dangerous places for children. Staff is not allowed to bring
children into these areas.
 Hazardous material should be handled according to the manufacturer's
instructions.