Lab safety - Fire Safety

On the first day of attachment, we were told to read up on certain reading materials. For this entry, I will recall the main important points stated in the company’s basic fire safety handbook.

-->The company make use of “RACES” in cases of fire. R- rescue, A-alarm, C-call, E- extinguisher, S-shut (shut down gas supply and close doors to contain the fire and smoke).

-->There are 3 types of extinguisher:
1)Water extinguisher (red colour): suitable for ordinary fires
2) Dry chemical extinguisher (blue colour): for all types of fire
3)Carbon dioxide extinguisher (black colour): for liquid or electrical fires

-->How to operate fire extinguisher:
1)Pull safety device
2) Aim nozzle
3) Press trigger/lever

-->Basic fire safety precautions:
1) No smoking in hospital’s compound.
2) Keep flammable liquids in proper containers and store them separately from other combustible materials.
3) Access to fire fighting equipment such as the extinguisher should not be blocked.
4) Electrical and gas appliances should be turned off when not in use or after use.
5) Potential fire hazards should be promptly reported to safety personnel.

-->Procedures in case of fire:
1) Alert other staff of the fire
2) Break the nearest fire alarm call point
3) Inform Fault Reporting Centre of the fire
4) Try to put off the fire by using the fire extinguisher
5) Evacuate the place

Besides reading about fire safety, we were also shown where the fire alarms and extinguishers are located. We were also shown the exit route we should take in case there is fire.

During the week, I was assigned to be at the sample reception, whereby blood and urine samples are collected via the telelift, pneumatic tube or by hand. The samples were then sorted according to types of tests to be carried out. Next it is labelled and sent to the routine laboratory.

In maintaining or ensuring desired quality of the results, we must:
1) Check if the amount of blood collected is sufficient. If there is inadequate amount of blood, the amount of EDTA may be higher compared to the blood itself. This will lead false results.
2)Check if the name of the patient stated in the request form coincide with that of the sample tube. This is to ensure that the results printed will be for the correct patient.
3)Check if the blood has clotted or lysed to prevent false results.
Samples should be rejected if it fails to “pass” one or more of the above 3 points.