BACE - Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing Laboratory Safety and Regulations Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A biotechnician needs to find information on the appropriate first-aid measures to take after accidental skin contact with a chemical. Which section of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) should they consult?
- Section 8: Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
- Section 2: Hazard(s) Identification
- Section 4: First-Aid Measures (Correct answer)
- Section 7: Handling and Storage
Correct answer: Section 4: First-Aid Measures
Section 4 of an SDS specifically details the initial care that should be given by untrained responders following exposure to the chemical, covering routes like skin/eye contact, inhalation, and ingestion.
Question 2: A researcher is working with human-derived cell lines, which are considered potentially infectious materials under most circumstances. According to OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, which of the following is the MOST appropriate combination of engineering controls and personal protective equipment (PPE)?
- A chemical fume hood and nitrile gloves.
- A Class II Biosafety Cabinet, lab coat, and gloves. (Correct answer)
- A standard lab coat and safety glasses.
- A respirator and chemical splash goggles.
Correct answer: A Class II Biosafety Cabinet, lab coat, and gloves.
OSHA considers human cell lines to be potentially infectious materials. A Class II Biosafety Cabinet is an engineering control that protects the user from bioaerosols, the environment, and the sample from contamination. A lab coat and gloves are the minimum required PPE for handling such materials at Biosafety Level 2.
Question 3: A biotechnician has just finished running an agarose gel stained with ethidium bromide, a known mutagen. Which of the following is the proper procedure for disposing of the used gel?
- Rinse it thoroughly with water and then dispose of it in the biohazard bag.
- Discard it in the regular trash can since the concentration is low.
- Autoclave it with other biological waste to neutralize the chemical.
- Place it in a designated, sealed hazardous waste container for ethidium bromide. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Place it in a designated, sealed hazardous waste container for ethidium bromide.
Ethidium bromide is a hazardous chemical waste due to its mutagenic properties and must be segregated for special disposal. It should not be placed in regular trash or autoclaved, as heat does not neutralize its chemical hazard. It must be collected in a clearly labeled, sealed hazardous waste container for professional disposal.
Question 4: A technician prepares a diluted working solution of a hazardous chemical in a spray bottle for daily use. The original stock bottle has a complete GHS label. What is the MINIMUM information required by OSHA on the label for this new 'secondary container'?
- The full GHS label, including all pictograms and hazard statements.
- The chemical identity and words, pictures, or symbols indicating the hazard. (Correct answer)
- The name of the technician who prepared it and the date of preparation.
- A piece of tape with the chemical formula written on it.
Correct answer: The chemical identity and words, pictures, or symbols indicating the hazard.
According to OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, secondary containers must, at a minimum, be labeled with the identity of the hazardous chemical and general information regarding its hazards using words, pictures, or symbols. While a full GHS label is an option, it is not the minimum requirement.
Question 5: The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is primarily designed to ensure that:
- employees are provided with hepatitis B vaccinations free of charge.
- the hazards of all chemicals are evaluated and this information is communicated to employees. (Correct answer)
- all laboratory waste is segregated and disposed of correctly.
- emergency eyewash stations and safety showers are tested weekly.
Correct answer: the hazards of all chemicals are evaluated and this information is communicated to employees.
The core purpose of the Hazard Communication Standard is to ensure that employers evaluate chemical hazards and that employees are informed about them through a comprehensive program that includes container labeling, safety data sheets (SDS), and training. The hepatitis B vaccine is covered under the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.
Question 6: While transferring a concentrated acid from a large bottle to a smaller one, a technician spills approximately 200 mL on the laboratory floor. What should be their FIRST action?
- Immediately wipe up the spill with paper towels and dispose of them in the trash.
- Alert nearby personnel and the lab supervisor of the spill. (Correct answer)
- Use a spill kit to contain and absorb the acid.
- Pour a strong base over the spill to neutralize it.
Correct answer: Alert nearby personnel and the lab supervisor of the spill.
In any significant spill, the immediate priority is human safety. Alerting others in the area and notifying a supervisor prevents accidental exposure and ensures the proper institutional emergency response is initiated. Containing and cleaning the spill is a critical subsequent step, but notification comes first.
BACE - Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing Laboratory Safety and Regulations Questions and Answers 1
A biotechnician needs to find information on the appropriate first-aid measures to take after accidental skin contact with a chemical.
Which section of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) should they consult?