By Dan Scungio, MT (ASCP), SLS, CQA (ASQ) bio When hospitals were placed on OSHA's list of "high-risk" workplaces, no one had to ask why. OSHA adjusts that list based on the number of … [Read more...]
COMPLIANCE
Where’s your lab safety manual?
August 6, 2018
By Dan Scungio, MT (ASCP), SLS, CQA (ASQ) bio Laboratory leadership should be committed to providing a safe working environment, and they should believe their employees have a right to … [Read more...]
MANAGING STAFF
Compliance Perspectives: How to Implement a Respiratory Protection Program at Your Lab
July 16, 2018
Worker exposure to infection and hazardous substances is a constant and pressing challenge for lab managers. And if yours is among the many labs where workers are required to use respirators, you face … [Read more...]
LAB SAFETY
Tool: Respirator Fit Testing Checklist
June 21, 2018
If you require lab workers to use respirators, you must implement a Respiratory Protection Program that meets the standards set out in the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard (1910.134(f)) … [Read more...]
LAB SAFETY
Compliance Perspectives: The 12 Things to Include in Your Drug & Alcohol Testing Policy
June 11, 2018
MYTH Employee drug testing is illegal in states where it's legal to use recreational or medical marijuana WHAT'S AT STAKE No! No! No! The truth is that state laws on marijuana use and … [Read more...]
MODEL POLICY
Tool: Model Pandemic Influenza Policy
March 12, 2018
Although not officially a pandemic, the miserable 2018 flu season is a vivid reminder of the importance of preparing so that your lab responds effectively if and when the next pandemic does hit. The … [Read more...]
LAB SAFETY
Emergency Staffing ABCs
January 22, 2018
By Dan Scungio, MT (ASCP), SLS, CQA (ASQ) bio When I was growing up near Buffalo, New York, experiencing two snow storms in three weeks was no big deal; in fact, it was rather commonplace. … [Read more...]
OSHA
The 10 Assumptions NOT to Make when Doing Your OSHA 300s
November 30, 2017
December is here and it's time for the logs. No, not the yule logs—the OSHA 300 logs! It's time to get the year's injury and illness records in order and start getting the OSHA 300A ready for the Feb. … [Read more...]
LAB SAFETY
CLIA Corner: FDA Moves to Boost CLIA Waiver Transparency
November 30, 2017
The CLIA standards that a lab must meet are based on the complexity of the in vitro diagnostic tests it performs. The FDA's primary role in the CLIA system is to categorize IVDs. Test … [Read more...]
LAB SAFETY
Fanning the Flames
October 16, 2017
By Dan Scungio, MT (ASCP), SLS, CQA (ASQ) bio Story #1: The fire started in the university chemistry laboratory when a research student used a flammable chemical too close to the open … [Read more...]
