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Guidance Document for Implementing Health and Safety Programs in DNA Laboratories

NCJ Number
218716
Date Published
April 2003
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article offers guidelines to assist forensic laboratories that perform DNA analysis in establishing the minimum requirements of an environmental health and safety program.
Abstract
The program is based on the Occupational Safety Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories report but is not intended to incorporate all State and Federal environmental and occupational safety and health regulatory standards. The article presents a series of 29 questions that fall within the categories of general safety, chemical safety, biological safety, and radiation safety that will help laboratories bring their environments up to minimum safety codes. The questions posed are then answered or suggestions are given for how to address the issue. For example, under the category of general safety, one question asks whether the health and safety program is monitored regularly and reviewed annually to ensure that its requirements are being met. The article then suggests that the laboratory check for a record of an annual internal review or inspection. The assumption is that if no record is found of an annual review or inspection, that process should be implemented. Another question under the category of chemical safety asks whether laboratory personnel have been instructed on how to respond in the event of a chemical spill. In response to this question, it is suggested that laboratory personnel be tested on their knowledge of the laboratory’s spill response procedures. Resources are offered at the close of the article for further information on laboratory safety standards, practices, and procedures.