Essential Laboratory Safety Protocols for CSMLS Certification

The correct answer includes labels for containers, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and education/training for workers to ensure safe handling of hazardous materials.

Biological hazards are classified into four risk groups based on the individual and community risk assessment. Each risk group represents a combination of the level of risk to individuals and the level of risk to the community when dealing with biological hazards.

Biological hazards are classified into 4 levels ranging from lowest to highest risk. Most labs dealing with biological hazards are categorized under level 2, which involves moderate risk to the environment and humans.

Decontamination and sterilization are two distinct processes used to clean and sanitize items. Decontamination removes some but not all microbes, making the items safe for disposal or use. Sterilization, on the other hand, eliminates all microbes and spores, ensuring complete cleanliness.

Chemical indicators and biological indicators are commonly used to QC autoclaves for sterilization purposes, while temperature, pressure, and time indicators are important for monitoring the autoclave's operating parameters but are not used specifically for QC purposes.

The correct answer is 1:10 dilution for spills and 1:100 dilution for wiping down surfaces. It is important to use the correct bleach solution for each situation to ensure effective cleaning and safety.

Class 1 Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs) are designed to protect the worker from exposure to biohazards, not the product being worked on.

Class 2 A BSCs have specific features regarding the percentage of filtered air returned to the lab, the percentage of air recirculated within the BSC, and the minimum average face velocity. The correct answer describes these features accurately, while the incorrect answers provide variations that do not align with the standards for class 2 A BSCs.

Class 2B Biological Safety Cabinets do not recirculate air into the lab environment, are commonly utilized, and maintain a minimum average face velocity of 100 ft/min (0.5 m/s). The incorrect answers provide misleading information about air circulation, face velocity requirements, and limitations of Class 2B BSCs.

The correct answers provided clear distinctions between the percentage of air that re-circulates and exhausts in each type of BSC, ensuring proper containment and airflow management.

Class 3 biosafety cabinets are designed for work with low to moderate risk biological agents in which the cabinets provide personnel, environmental and product protection. Class 1 biosafety cabinets are not gas tight and do not provide the same level of protection. Class 2 biosafety cabinets are not totally enclosed and gas tight. Class 4 biosafety cabinets are designed for work with high risk biological agents and are completely airtight with a dunk tank for decontamination.

The correct answer includes specific information related to product identification, hazards, and handling instructions as per WHMIS regulations.

The correct answer lists the essential categories of information found on a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) which are crucial for handling potentially hazardous substances safely. The incorrect answers include irrelevant or inaccurate information that is not typically included in an MSDS.

Compressed gases are categorized under WHMIS class A due to their potential hazard of explosion if not handled properly.

By using a soap solution on all the connectors, any escaping gas will create bubbles, indicating a leak. The other incorrect answers do not provide a reliable method for detecting leaks in a cylinder.

The correct WHMIS class B hazard is Flammables & combustibles, which is divided into 6 subclasses according to the specified materials and their characteristics.

Flammables burn at room temperature due to having a flashpoint below 100 degrees F, while combustibles require heating to ignite as their flashpoint is above 100 degrees F.

Fires need heat to start the combustion process, fuel to sustain the fire, and oxygen to support the chemical reaction. Water, wind, and sunlight do not contribute to fire. Earth, metal, and wood are not the necessary components for fire. Ice, salt, and darkness also do not play a role in the combustion process.

Flash point is defined as the minimum temperature at which a liquid produces enough vapor to form an ignitable mixture with air. A low flash point indicates that the liquid can easily ignite at lower temperatures, making it more hazardous. This is why materials with low flash points are considered more risky.

The 4 classes of fires are divided into classes A, B, C, and D based on the their materials involved and the most effective way to extinguish them.

Class A fires involve ordinary combustible materials such as wood, paper, and cloth. Water and dry chemical (ABC) fire extinguishers are effective in putting out Class A fires by cooling the material or smothering the flames.

Class B fires involve flammable liquids or gases, which can be spread if extinguished improperly. Water, foam, and sand are not suitable for class B fires as they may cause the fire to spread or react dangerously with the flammable material. CO2 or dry chem (ABC) extinguishers are recommended for safely putting out class B fires.

Class C fires involve energized electrical equipment. Using water, foam, or wet chemical fire extinguishers on these fires can actually worsen the situation by conducting electricity and risking electrocution or more extensive damage to the equipment. It is important to use fire extinguishers specifically designed for electrical fires, such as CO2, dry chem (ABC), or halon.

Class D fires involve combustible metals like magnesium, titanium, and potassium. Using water or a regular fire extinguisher can actually make the fire worse by spreading the flames. Sand may not effectively suppress the fire. It's best to use a special class D dry chemical fire extinguisher or seek professional help if one is not available.