ALAT Occupational Health and Safety 5

Question 1

In a laboratory animal facility, what is the correct procedure when an autoclave alarm indicates a failed sterilization cycle?

Accepted Answer

Remove the load, quarantine it, and report the failure to the supervisor

Answer

A failed sterilization cycle means the load must be quarantined and the failure investigated before any materials are used.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the 'hierarchy of controls' approach to occupational hazards in animal facilities?

Accepted Answer

Elimination or substitution of hazards is preferred over administrative controls and PPE

Answer

The hierarchy of controls prioritizes elimination and substitution as most effective, followed by engineering controls, administrative controls, and finally PPE as the least preferred option.

Question 3

A cage wash area produces significant noise levels. Which engineering control would MOST effectively reduce worker noise exposure?

Accepted Answer

Installing sound-absorbing panels and enclosures around noisy equipment

Answer

Engineering controls like sound enclosures and absorbing materials address noise at the source, providing more reliable protection than administrative or PPE-based approaches.

Question 4

When working with non-human primates (NHPs), technicians must be aware of Herpes B virus because it:

Accepted Answer

Can cause fatal encephalitis in humans if untreated after exposure

Answer

Herpes B virus (Macacine alphaherpesvirus 1) from macaques can cause fatal encephalitis in humans and requires immediate post-exposure treatment.

Question 5

Formaldehyde is used in some animal facilities for tissue fixation. Which statement about formaldehyde exposure is MOST accurate?

Accepted Answer

Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen with OSHA permissible exposure limits

Answer

OSHA classifies formaldehyde as a potential human carcinogen and sets a PEL of 0.75 ppm as an 8-hour TWA with a 2 ppm STEL.

ALAT - Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician Practice Test

ALAT - Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician Practice Test

ALAT Occupational Health and Safety 5