Hazardous Chemicals in Medical Laboratories Medicine Research Paper (Research Paper Sample)

Hazardous Chemicals in Medical Laboratories
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Hazardous Chemicals in Medical Laboratories
Employers and self-employed individuals have an obligation under the health and safety regulations to evaluate risks in the workplace (OSHA, 2013). The Safety, Health, and Welfare at Work Regulations of 2001 specifically requires for the assessment of risks at the workplace arising from the presence or use of chemical agents at the place of work. These regulations should be strictly followed especially in medical laboratories where employees deal hazardous chemicals on a daily basis. Just assessing the risk is not enough to deal with dangers of chemicals in medical laboratories. Employers and organizations need to make sure that measures that ensure lab employees safety from dangers posed by hazardous chemicals are followed. The following discourse is significant as it will help medical care employers and organizations understand the importance of following set guidelines while dealing with hazardous chemicals.
Among the reasons why people need to follow rules while dealing with hazardous chemicals in medical laboratories is to prevent accidents. According to Tachikake et al. (2016), there is a wide range of lab accidents that may result while dealing with hazardous chemicals. Such accidents are associated with the inadequate understanding of hazards, improper use of chemicals, distractions, inexperience or negligence by scientists, and damaged equipment. These accidents may be fatal or may cause injuries to individuals inside the laboratory (Tachikake et al., 2016). For instance, poor handling of biohazards during a virus test in a hospital laboratory may lead to infection and deaths if the virus is deadly. It is, therefore, important for employers and organization to prioritize on preventing them. The best preventive measure against laboratory accidents is following set lab guidelines. OSHA provides clear guidelines on the handling of hazardous chemicals and equipment in labs. Following these rules can help reduce accidents in medical laboratories.