Introduction

Laboratory workers are regularly exposed to a wide range of hazards that present a risk to their health and safety. They are at risk of contracting infectious diseases since they are dealing with blood, body fluids and biological specimens. Occupational injury and illness can be minimized among laboratory workers through compliance to laboratory safety procedures, safe work practices and standard precautions. It encompasses various activities which include correct hand washing techniques, use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), good housekeeping, correct disinfection and sterilization techniques, correct management of spillage as well as correct disposal of sharps and infectious waste. All staff must be oriented and updated in standard precautions and laboratory safety since safety in the laboratory must be regarded by both the individual effort, as well as the management’s responsibility.

This Laboratory Safety Manual is intended to promote safety in the Pathology laboratory, Hospital Melaka and to encourage health all laboratory workers including trainees to practice standard precautions in their daily activities, ensuring good quality and safe care to them. This manual aims to highlight many of the safety precautions that are important for ensuring the health and safety of all laboratory staff in the Department of Pathology, Hospital Melaka.