OSHA Electrical Safety

(based on 5070 customer ratings)

Author: Terry Jo Gile, M.Ed., MT(ASCP)
Reviewer: Joshua J. Cannon, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMSHCM

This brief course addresses electrical safety and electrical hazards commonly found in the clinical laboratory. Prevention and safety measures, fighting electrical fires, and treatment of electrical injuries are also covered. Appropriate for annual laboratory compliance training and for clinical laboratory science students prior to clinical rotations.

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Describe the types of injury resulting from electrical hazards.
  • Identify specific safety measures that should be taken to avoid risks associated with electricity.
  • Define the employee's role in the event of an electrical fire.
  • Explain how to treat victims of electrical injuries.

Course Outline

  • Electrical Hazards and Electricity-induced injuries
      • Introduction
      • Basic Elements of Electricity
      • Static Electricity
      • Electricity-induced Injury
      • Factors that Determine the Degree of Electricity-induced Injury
      • Electrical Resistance and Current Pathway Through the Body
      • True or False: In the laboratory, injury or damage from static electricity should NOT be a concern.
      • Which of the following tissues is MOST resistant to electrical flow?
  • Electrical Safety Controls
      • Engineering Controls
      • Ground
      • Administrative Controls
      • Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
      • Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Procedures
      • Labels on Appliances and Instruments
      • Circuit Breaker Panels
      • True or False: A new analyzer has been delivered for installation in the chemistry department. Due to a lack of space, the analyzer is being installed...
      • Which of the following is a TRUE statement when performing maintenance or repair procedures on electrical appliances or equipment in the laboratory?
  • Electrical Hazard Recognition and Avoidance
      • Extension Cords
      • Adapters
      • Unplugging an Electrical Cord
      • Space Heaters
      • Checks and Inspections
      • Potential Electrical Hazards
  • Electrical Fires
      • Class C Fires
      • Electrical Fires
      • Electrical Fires, continued
      • Before making the decision to extinguish a fire, there are several factors that should be considered. Which of the following observations should make ...
      • True or False: A water-filled fire extinguisher is appropriate for use when extinguishing an electrical fire.
  • Handling of Electrical Injuries
      • Electrical Shock
      • Electrical Burns
      • A coworker has come in direct contact with an electrical current, causing sustained muscular contractions and preventing the victim from releasing the...
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Basic.
Intended Audience: All clinical laboratory personnel.
Author Information: Terry Jo Gile, M.Ed., MT(ASCP) has over 45 years of experience as a certified medical technologist. She has a bachelor's degree in biology from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and a master's degree in education from Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. For 20 years, she was a member of the management team at Barnes-Jewish Hospital Department of Laboratories in St. Louis, Missouri, and served as a safety officer as well as a laboratory safety consultant to the BJC Health System. Terry Jo headed her own consulting firm, Safety Lady, LLC, for 27 years. In that capacity, she lectured and consulted worldwide on the proper implementation of safety programs in clinical laboratories.
Reviewer Information: Joshua J. Cannon, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMSHCM received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. He holds Medical Laboratory Scientist and Specialist in Hematology certifications through the ASCP Board of Certification. He was a professor at Thomas Jefferson University for seven years before transitioning into his current role as Content Developer at MediaLab. His areas of expertise and professional passions include clinical hematology and interprofessional education.

This course is part of:
daisy chain
overloaded circuit
GFCI
083120 Clendenin OSHA Hazard