Laboratory Safety Flashcards
7 cards from real Histology Certification practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Laboratory Safety flashcards as text
Which housekeeping practice is most critical for preventing fire hazards in a histology laboratory?
Answer: Keeping solvent containers closed when not in use and stored away from heat sources
Keeping flammable solvent containers tightly closed and away from ignition sources is the most important fire prevention housekeeping practice.
What is the significance of the OSHA short-term exposure limit (STEL) for formaldehyde at 2 ppm?
Answer: This is the maximum concentration allowed for exposures of 15 minutes or less, no more than 4 times per shift
The STEL of 2 ppm applies to short-term exposures of up to 15 minutes, which must not occur more than four times daily with adequate recovery time between exposures.
Proper labeling of a secondary container of xylene transferred from the manufacturer's original container must include:
Answer: The chemical name and primary hazard(s)
OSHA's HazCom standard requires secondary containers to be labeled with the chemical identity and relevant hazard warnings.
Which engineering control is most effective for reducing formaldehyde vapor exposure during grossing in a histology lab?
Answer: Using a ventilated grossing station with local exhaust ventilation
A ventilated grossing station with local exhaust ventilation captures formalin vapors at the source before they disperse into the work area.
A histology lab employee is pregnant and concerned about xylene exposure. According to best safety practices, the employer should:
Answer: Reassign her to duties that minimize or eliminate xylene exposure, per reproductive hazard guidelines
Employers should offer job reassignment to minimize reproductive hazard exposures as a reasonable accommodation during pregnancy.
When performing autoclave sterilization of contaminated tissue waste in a histology lab, the operator must verify sterilization using:
Answer: Biological indicators (e.g., spore strips) and mechanical/chemical indicator confirmation
Biological indicators using spore-forming organisms are the gold standard for verifying autoclave efficacy, supplemented by mechanical and chemical indicators.
Which section of the GHS Safety Data Sheet provides information on appropriate storage conditions for a histology chemical?
Answer: Section 7 — Handling and Storage
Section 7 of the GHS SDS format covers safe handling procedures and storage requirements including temperature, incompatibilities, and container specifications.