Assessment of Biosafety Practices in Clinical Laboratories in Khartoum State, Sudan

Background: Several related accidents occur in the laboratories due to insufficient regulation, inappropriate implementation of safety measures or unawareness attitude and practice toward safety precaution. Biosafety is a tool through which we are managing safety and security related to any kinds of hazards that may be either to the human, animals, plants and environment as well. We can implement good laboratory practice to minimize the risk while performing any kind of test procedures, either handling to the samples like blood and other body fluids which is playing important role for infections and transmissible diseases. If we will provide facilities and training to the lab personnel, then we can protect public, agriculture, and the environment from which is leading cause of infections as well as hazards such as biological, chemical, electrical and glassware. For achieving effective and necessary biosafety and security, it should make sure that any unauthorized person is not able to handle, process, transport to minimize loss and misuse of the any kind of hazards especially biohazards. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to make an international system to avoid any kind of biosafety related issues. Objective: Because biosafety is an important element in quality management system (QMS) and it is a fundamental tool for compliance with accreditation and certification standards, the aim of this study was to assess the practices of lab personnel towards biosafety measures in their laboratories. Method: The study was cross-sectional study that conducted among 70 laboratories by use of structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done by using statistical package for social science (SPSS). Result: Among 70 laboratories, 2 (3%) were appointing a biosafety officer, 16 (23%) have fire detection system and fire alarm system, and 20 (29%) of all laboratories were provided by fire extinguisher. Among provision of personnel protection, 56 (80%) always wearied lab coat and gloves, 35 (79%) wearied masks (surgical mask) with low availability of safety goggles and eye shield. Vaccination for hepatitis B virus identified in 40 (57%) of the laboratories. In 41 (59%) of laboratories, the cleaning personnel were not aware about optimal handlers of biohazard in the laboratory. 20 (29%) of all laboratories have exit door and 43 (61%) were used biological safety cabinet. Availability of sharp container and color-coded biohazard bags were found in about 60% (86%), 55 (79%);safe disposal policies were found in 49 (70%) of laboratories. Discussion: Biosafety measures and practices in Sudan need to be restructured if we target to achieve good laboratory practices as well as safe environmental testing for clinical human samples. Recommendation: There are a great need to establish and implement biosafety precaution program included in government and private clinical laboratory in Sudan.

Management of Biohazards and Pandemics: COVID-19 and Its Implications in the Construction Sector

This paper investigates the impact of biohazards and pandemics on construction workers’ health and well-being. A proper selection of control methods for biohazards and pandemics like COVID-19 pandemic will result in improved public health conditions. Occupational risks in the construction industry are also examined, with a focus on biohazards and pandemics, their containment, and the implications for health and safety. A safer work environment in the construction industry is encouraged. In this study, some statistical methods were used to analyse the data obtained from sampled questionnaire. According to the findings, fewer people in poor developing countries get routine check-ups compared to developed countries. The construction industries studied have little or no insurance plans for staff. It also demonstrates that personal protective equipment (PPE) such as nasal masks, helmets, hand gloves, and work aprons can assist in the control of biohazards in the construction sector, such as asthma, cancer, and asbestosis. There should be safety awareness programmes, conferences, and seminars, as well as first-aid kits and HSE and qualified health workers on all building sites. In addition, the government should examine the site for the usage of PPEs and verify that records of family/personal medical history are maintained.

Survey on proper and safe use of biological safety cabinets (BSCs) in research, bio-medical and animal laboratories in Karachi, Pakistan a cross sectional study

Introduction:Past incidences have been recorded relating to mishandling of hazardous material either due to insufficient knowledge or inappropriate equipment resulting in the indirect transfer of infectious agents.It is necessary to identify gaps that inhibit proper protection of healthcare professionals from being inadvertently exposed to biological risks.Methods:A cross sectional study was conducted at multiple laboratories across Karachi,Pakistan from January to August 2018.Descriptive questionnaire was used to record data about types and usage of Biological Safety Cabinets(BSCs),along with policies and practices adapted for its certification.Results:A total of 30 laboratories were visited which included Clinical/Biomedical,University hospital,R&D and animal laboratories.Among these 60%always used BSCs,30%periodically used BSCs while 10%did not have any BSCs.Among these facilities 63.6%had BSC class II-A2,39.9%had BSC class II-B2,4.5%had BSC class III and only 0.9%had BSC class I cabinet.No protocols for field certification of BSCs were available.Conclusion:Establishment of biosafety training sessions,implementation and development of protocol for field certification for proper and safe use of BSCs on a local basis accompanied by continuous monitoring is required,for creating a safe environment for all laboratory staff.

Assessment of biosafety and biorisk management practices among medical laboratory students in two institutions in Uganda

Medical laboratory workers handle clinical specimens,which are a threat of exposure to infectious agents.Notably,medical laboratory science students report for internships with only theoretical knowledge of biosafety and biorisk management practices,predisposing them to a higher risk of laboratory hazards.In this study,we assessed the influence of entry-level students'adherence to practices and attitudes towards biosafety and biorisk management during the Internship.An online survey tool was used to explore the practices and attitudes towards laboratory biosafety and risk management.Of the 96 students,60(62.5%)anonymous responses were received,and of these,60.3%were direct entrants,and 32.8%were diploma entrants.Most(91.7%)of the students attended hospital internships,with 60.2%in Biosafety Level(BSL)-2 laboratories and 70.2%rotating in all the core areas of laboratory medicine.The 8.3%who did not attend any internship were under the direct entry category.Exposure to biohazards was not significantly associated with laboratory safety level and student entry category(P>0.05).Recommended laboratory biosafety practices were not significantly associated with the safety level of the laboratory and student entry category(P>0.05).Poor attitudes towards certain laboratory biosafety practices were not significantly associated with the biosafety level of the training laboratory(P>0.05),whereas training(P=0.021)and clean-up procedures(P=0.048)were associated with laboratory safety levels,respectively.The direct entrants had no access to BSL-3 laboratories,and this category of students had a negative attitude towards internship attendance.Therefore,there is a need to create a multi-channel full range laboratory biosafety and biorisk management teaching reforms based on practical application,real case studies,and laboratory simulation to be incorporated into the curriculum to benefit the direct entrant.