OSHA Electrical Safety

Author: Terry Jo Gile, MAEd, MLS(ASCP)
Reviewer: Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM
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Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours: 1 hour(s)

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science CE Credit Hours

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science CE - Supervision/Administration, Quality Control/Quality Assurance, and Safety: 1 hour(s)

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This brief course addresses electrical safety and electrical hazards commonly found in the clinical laboratory. Prevention and safety measures, fighting electrical fires, and treatment of electrical injuries are also covered. Appropriate for annual laboratory compliance training and for clinical laboratory science students prior to clinical rotations.

Objectives

  • Describe the types of injury resulting from electrical hazards.
  • Identify specific safety measures that should be taken to avoid risks associated with electricity.
  • Define the employee's role in the event of an electrical fire.
  • Explain how to treat victims of electrical injuries.

Course Outline

  • Electrical Hazards and Electricity-Induced Injuries
    • Introduction
    • Basic Elements of Electricity
    • Static Electricity
    • Electricity-Induced Injury
    • Factors that Determine the Degree of Electricity-Induced Injury
    • Electrical Resistance and Current Pathway Through the Body
    • True or False: In the laboratory, injury or damage from static electricity should not be a concern.
    • Which of the following tissues is most resistant to electrical flow?
  • Electrical Safety Controls
    • Engineering Controls
    • Ground
    • Administrative Controls
    • Lockout/Tagout
    • Lockout/Tagout Procedures
    • Labels on Appliances and Instruments
    • Circuit Breaker Panels
    • True or False: A new analyzer has been delivered for installation in the chemistry department. Due to a lack of space, the analyzer is being installed within 6 inches of a wall where the laboratory's electrical circuit breaker panels are located. The analyzer is on a bench with wheels, so moving it out of the way shouldn't be an issue if a situation requires that the circuit breaker panel be acces
    • Which of the following is an accurate statement when performing maintenance or repair procedures on electrical appliances or equipment in the laboratory?
  • Electrical Hazard Recognition and Avoidance
    • Extension Cords
    • Adapters
    • Unplugging an Electrical Cord
    • Space Heaters
    • Checks and Inspections
    • Potential Electrical Hazards
  • Electrical Fires
    • Class C Fires
    • Electrical Fires
    • Electrical Fires, continued
    • Before making the decision to extinguish a fire, there are several factors that should be considered. Which of the following observations should make you decide not to fight the fire yourself?
    • True or False: A water-filled fire extinguisher is appropriate for use when extinguishing an electrical fire.
  • Handling of Electrical Injuries
    • Electrical Shock
    • Electrical Burns
    • A coworker has come in direct contact with an electrical current, causing sustained muscular contractions and preventing the victim from releasing the source. The current should be shut off at the source, but this cannot be done without endangering the rescuer. Which of the following steps is appropriate for the rescuer to take in order to free the victim from the electrical source?
  • References
    • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Basic
Intended Audience: All clinical laboratory personnel.
Author Information: Terry Jo Gile, MAEd, MLS(ASCP), has over 45 years of experience as a certified medical technologist. She has a bachelor's degree in biology from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and a master's degree in education from Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. For 20 years, she was a member of the management team at Barnes-Jewish Hospital Department of Laboratories in St. Louis, Missouri, and served as a safety officer as well as a laboratory safety consultant to the BJC Health System. Terry Jo headed her own consulting firm, Safety Lady, LLC, for 27 years. In that capacity, she lectured and consulted worldwide on the proper implementation of safety programs in clinical laboratories.
The author has no conflict of interest to disclose.
Reviewer Information: Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM, is a Lead Education Developer. She earned a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of North Dakota and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Saint Xavier University. She has over 15 years of experience in higher education and has held program director and faculty positions in both MLT and MLS programs.