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Appendix A: Protecting Yourself from Biohazards
This appendix summarizes the established guidelines for handling laboratory
biohazards. The summary is based on the guidelines developed by the National
Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) and Guideline M–29A from the National Committee for Clinical
Laboratory Standards (NCCLS): Protection of Laboratory Workers from
Instrument Biohazards and Infectious Disease Transmitted by Blood and Tissue,
Approved Guideline.
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Use this summary for general information only. It is not intended to replace or
supplement your laboratory or hospital biohazard control procedures.
By definition, a biohazardous condition is a situation involving infectious agents
that are biological in nature, such as the hepatitis B virus (HBV), the human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or the tubercle bacillus. These infectious agents
may be present in human blood and blood products or in other body fluids.
The major sources of contamination when handling potentially infectious agents
are as follows:
S needlesticks
S hand-to-mouth contact
S hand-to-eye contact
S direct contact with superficial cuts, open wounds, and other skin conditions that
may permit absorption into subcutaneous skin layers
S splashes or aerosol contact with skin and eyes
To prevent accidental contamination in a clinical laboratory, strictly adhere to the
following procedures:
S Wear gloves when touching the screen, which can be contaminated by contact
with body fluids from gloves or splattering.
S Wear gloves while servicing parts of the instrument that have contact with body
fluid such as serum, plasma, urine, or whole blood.
S Wash your hands before going from a contaminated area to a noncontaminated
area, or when you remove or change gloves.
S Perform procedures carefully to minimize aerosol formation.
S Wear facial protection when splatter or aerosol formation are possible.
S Wear protective clothing such as lab coats or aprons when working with possible
biohazard contaminants.
S Keep your hands away from your face.
S Cover all superficial cuts and wounds before starting any work.