CAP Pro Course - Histology - Safety Issues in the Histology Laboratory (2026 & 2027)

Author: Carla Shoffeitt, MSM, HT(ASCP)
Reviewer: Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Recognize and manage potential safety hazards in the histology laboratory.
  • Utilize appropriate engineering controls, personal protective equipment (PPE), and work practice controls to reduce the risk of exposure.
  • Identify physical and mechanical hazards in the histology laboratory.
  • Recognize biohazardous materials encountered in the histology laboratory.
  • Identify hazardous chemicals used in the histology laboratory and understand acceptable exposure limits.
  • Demonstrate basic fire safety, evacuation, and small fire extinguishing procedures.

Course Outline

  • Recognize and manage potential safety hazards in the histology laboratory.
      • Hazard Categories
      • General Laboratory Safety Plan and Chemical Hygiene Plan
      • Safety Data Sheets
      • General Safety Practices
      • Safety data sheets (SDSs) contain information on the potential hazards (health, fire, reactivity, and environmental) of individual chemicals used in t...
      • Catie has completed the sectioning of several processed blocks on her microtome, none of which are indicated as being suspect of prion disease. She re...
      • Which of these actions does not represent a general safety practice that should be followed in the histology laboratory?
  • Utilize appropriate engineering controls, personal protective equipment (PPE), and work practice controls to reduce the risk of exposure.
      • Engineering Controls: The Biological Safety Cabinet
      • Engineering Controls: The Grossing Station
      • Engineering Controls: The Chemical Fume Hood
      • Personal Protective Equipment
      • Handwashing
      • Claire is performing a special stain that requires the use of osmium tetroxide. After reviewing the safety data sheet for this chemical, she understan...
      • Sam is preparing to start his shift by donning his lab coat. Which of the following should Sam consider regarding the proper use of the lab coat?
      • Which of the following types of gloves is most appropriate to be worn when handling specimens suspected of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)?
  • Identify physical and mechanical hazards in the histology laboratory.
      • Avoiding Falls
      • Ergonomics
      • Latex Sensitivity
      • Cryostat Safety and Decontamination
      • Electrical Hazards
      • Microwave Oven Use
      • There are many manual, repetitive tasks performed in the histology laboratory. Following an ergonomic plan can minimize the possible effects of these ...
      • Brianna is eager to set up a new tissue processor in the histology laboratory. With regard to electrical safety, which of the following actions should...
  • Recognize biohazardous materials encountered in the histology laboratory.
      • Safe Handling of Sharps
      • Bloodborne Pathogens
      • Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies and Related Safety Precautions
      • Handling Considerations for Tissues Containing Radioactive Material
      • Appropriate Disposal Methods for Pathological Waste and Radioactive Specimens
      • Appropriate Handling and Reporting of Exposures to Biologic Hazards
      • Tae is preparing to dispose of formalin-fixed pathology specimens that have met the appropriate criteria for disposal. Which of the following is an ac...
      • As a preceptor for a new technologist in the histology department, Theron has been asked to explain the importance of using Standard Precautions when ...
  • Identify hazardous chemicals used in the histology laboratory and understand acceptable exposure limits.
      • Chemical Health Hazards
      • Appropriate Labeling of Hazardous Chemicals
      • Hazard Communication Standard Pictograms
      • Primary Container Labeling
      • Secondary Container Labeling
      • Appropriate Chemical Storage
      • Appropriate Handling of Chemical Spills
      • Disposal of Chemical Waste
      • Exposure Limits for Formaldehyde and Xylene
      • Appropriate Handling and Reporting of Chemical Exposures, Including Signs and Symptoms
      • You are reviewing your laboratory's chemical hygiene plan, which includes guidelines for the safe disposal of chemical waste resulting from daily work...
      • A chemical spill has occurred in the laboratory near the tissue processor. Based on the laboratory's chemical hygiene plan, this spill qualifies as a ...
      • Landon was in the midst of a formalin neutralization procedure when the chemical hood failed. He is not feeling well and is concerned about possible c...
  • Demonstrate basic fire safety, evacuation, and small fire extinguishing procedures.
      • Classification of Common Fires
      • Types of Fire Extinguishers
      • Fire Safety
      • You discover that the slide drying oven is plugged into a "daisy chain" power strip configuration. You know that this is a dangerous practice that can...
      • The facility's maintenance department is making monthly rounds inspecting all fire extinguishers in your laboratory. Which of the following circumstan...
      • Anna has been tasked with performing the monthly check of all of the fire extinguishers in the histology laboratory. Which of the following is not don...
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: This program is designed as an educational and training tool for HT, HTL, MLS, MLT personnel, histology and medical laboratory science students and interns, pathology residents, and practicing pathologists.
Author Information: Carla J. Shoffeitt, MSM, HT(ASCP), is the System Director of Anatomic Pathology for Emory Healthcare in Atlanta, Georgia. She holds a Master of Science Degree in Healthcare Management as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Troy University, Troy, Alabama. She is certified as a Histotechnician and has 29 years of experience in the field of Histology.
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.

This course is part of the CAP Competency Assessment Hub.

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