Laboratory Risk Analysis in a Branch Hospital: The L-type Matrix
Introduction: Laboratory workers are often exposed to various risk factors, which can be classified as biological, physical, chemical, psychosocial, and ergonomic. This study aims to conduct a risk analysis in the workers of microbiology and biochemistry laboratories of a branch hospital in Istanbu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Occupational Health and Safety Society of Nepal
2024-03-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/IJOSH/article/view/53996 |
| _version_ | 1797236871889158144 |
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| author | Fatma Kantaş Yılmaz Saadet Karakuş |
| author_facet | Fatma Kantaş Yılmaz Saadet Karakuş |
| author_sort | Fatma Kantaş Yılmaz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Introduction: Laboratory workers are often exposed to various risk factors, which can be classified as biological, physical, chemical, psychosocial, and ergonomic. This study aims to conduct a risk analysis in the workers of microbiology and biochemistry laboratories of a branch hospital in Istanbul, Türkiye to identify occupational health and safety risks and provide recommendations for measures to be taken.
Methods: The investigators conducted the risk analysis with a five-person team including occupational health and safety experts, a laboratory manager, and technicians. Risk assessments were performed using the L-type matrix 5x5 diagram. The level of risk was determined with the product of probability and severity.
Results: Risk analysis in the microbiology laboratory showed ten risk factors. Three of them had moderate level scores as following "working with xylene", “continuous standing work” and "insufficient free space". The remaining risks have low-risk scores, including "working in a noisy environment, "microscope light and ambient light", "working with blood", "working with feces", "non-ergonomic chairs", "insufficient airflow in the environment" and "continuous presence in a closed space". In the biochemistry laboratory, four were classified as moderate risk, including working in constant standing, exposure to bodily fluids, blood tests for bacteria and viruses and non-ergonomic furniture.
Conclusion: The priority should be to minimize the risks associated with contact with blood and body fluids. This could involve the implementation of strict safety measures and protocols, as well as providing appropriate personal protective equipment to all personnel who may encounter these fluids.
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| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T17:10:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-93ae36cb66c345e59448a5b83d4d629d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2738-9707 2091-0878 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T17:10:45Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Occupational Health and Safety Society of Nepal |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-93ae36cb66c345e59448a5b83d4d629d2024-03-28T11:45:01ZengOccupational Health and Safety Society of NepalInternational Journal of Occupational Safety and Health2738-97072091-08782024-03-0114210.3126/ijosh.v14i2.53996Laboratory Risk Analysis in a Branch Hospital: The L-type MatrixFatma Kantaş Yılmaz0Saadet Karakuş1University of Health Sciences, 34668, Istanbul, TürkiyeUniversity of Health Sciences, 34668, Istanbul, Türkiye Introduction: Laboratory workers are often exposed to various risk factors, which can be classified as biological, physical, chemical, psychosocial, and ergonomic. This study aims to conduct a risk analysis in the workers of microbiology and biochemistry laboratories of a branch hospital in Istanbul, Türkiye to identify occupational health and safety risks and provide recommendations for measures to be taken. Methods: The investigators conducted the risk analysis with a five-person team including occupational health and safety experts, a laboratory manager, and technicians. Risk assessments were performed using the L-type matrix 5x5 diagram. The level of risk was determined with the product of probability and severity. Results: Risk analysis in the microbiology laboratory showed ten risk factors. Three of them had moderate level scores as following "working with xylene", “continuous standing work” and "insufficient free space". The remaining risks have low-risk scores, including "working in a noisy environment, "microscope light and ambient light", "working with blood", "working with feces", "non-ergonomic chairs", "insufficient airflow in the environment" and "continuous presence in a closed space". In the biochemistry laboratory, four were classified as moderate risk, including working in constant standing, exposure to bodily fluids, blood tests for bacteria and viruses and non-ergonomic furniture. Conclusion: The priority should be to minimize the risks associated with contact with blood and body fluids. This could involve the implementation of strict safety measures and protocols, as well as providing appropriate personal protective equipment to all personnel who may encounter these fluids. https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/IJOSH/article/view/53996HospitalLaboratoryOccupational health and safetyRisk analysis |
| spellingShingle | Fatma Kantaş Yılmaz Saadet Karakuş Laboratory Risk Analysis in a Branch Hospital: The L-type Matrix International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health Hospital Laboratory Occupational health and safety Risk analysis |
| title | Laboratory Risk Analysis in a Branch Hospital: The L-type Matrix |
| title_full | Laboratory Risk Analysis in a Branch Hospital: The L-type Matrix |
| title_fullStr | Laboratory Risk Analysis in a Branch Hospital: The L-type Matrix |
| title_full_unstemmed | Laboratory Risk Analysis in a Branch Hospital: The L-type Matrix |
| title_short | Laboratory Risk Analysis in a Branch Hospital: The L-type Matrix |
| title_sort | laboratory risk analysis in a branch hospital the l type matrix |
| topic | Hospital Laboratory Occupational health and safety Risk analysis |
| url | https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/IJOSH/article/view/53996 |
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