Anatomy Lab Care, Maintenance, and Safety Policy

1. Purpose

This policy establishes the standards for the care, maintenance, and safety practices required in the anatomy lab. The objective is to ensure the safety of all lab personnel, proper handling of anatomical specimens, and adherence to hygienic procedures to maintain a professional, organized, safe, and secure laboratory environment.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all faculty, staff, students, and authorized personnel using the anatomy lab, including those involved in the handling of specimens, dissection tools, and chemicals, as well as those involved in the care and maintenance of the physical lab space. Compliance with this policy is mandatory to ensure safety and adherence to institutional and regulatory requirements.

3. Responsibilities

• Lab Supervisor: Ensures all personnel are trained, oversees compliance with lab safety rules, and maintains up-to-date records of incidents, inventory, and maintenance.
• Support Staff, Teaching Assistants, and Students: Follow all safety protocols and report incidents or unsafe conditions to the lab supervisor.

4. Access Control

• Access: Only authorized personnel are allowed access to the anatomy lab. Students must be supervised at all times by program faculty.
• Visitors: Visitors must obtain permission from the lab supervisor and follow all safety protocols.

5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

All individuals working in the anatomy lab are required to wear the following PPE:

• Lab coats/gowns
• Gloves (latex or nitrile)
• Safety goggles or face shields
• Closed-toe shoes (no sandals or open footwear)
• Masks (recommended)

Failure to wear appropriate PPE will result in immediate removal from the lab.

6. Safety Policies

6.1 Chemical Safety

• Handling of Preservatives: Formaldehyde and phenol, commonly used for specimen preservation, must be handled in well-ventilated areas to minimize inhalation exposure.
• Accidental Exposure: In case of skin or eye contact, rinse the affected area with water immediately and seek medical attention. Eye wash stations are available in each room in the laboratory. Spill kits with neutralizing agents must be available at all times.
• Storage: All chemicals must be stored in clearly labeled, tightly sealed containers.

6.2 Sharps Safety

• Handle all sharps (scalpels, needles, etc.) with care to avoid injury. Used sharps must be immediately placed in designated sharps containers.
• Report and seek medical attention for all sharps injuries.

6.3 Biohazard Safety

• Treat all tissue samples and fluids as potentially infectious. Gloves must be worn when handling specimens, and hands must be washed thoroughly afterward.
• Disinfect all surfaces and tools that come into contact with biological materials using 70% ethanol or a 10% bleach solution.

6.4 Disposal of Biological Waste

• Biological waste must be disposed of in designated, clearly labeled biohazard bags or containers following institutional hazardous waste disposal guidelines.
• Formaldehyde drainage from specimens will be stored in a sealed container and picked up by a licensed biomedical waste removal company as required.
• Full sharps containers will be picked up quarterly/as needed by a licensed biomedical waste removal company.

6.5 Emergency Procedures

• Injuries: All injuries must be reported immediately. Eye wash stations are available in each room of the lab. A first aid kit is also located in the lab.
• Fire Safety: Ensure familiarity with fire extinguisher locations and fire exits. Evacuate immediately in case of a fire.
• Chemical Spills: For chemical spills, evacuate the area if necessary, contain the spill if trained, and notify the appropriate personnel.

7. Specimen Handling and Care

7.1 Storage of Specimens

• Fixed specimens are stored at room temperature in covered dissection tanks in a room with adequate ventilation. The preservative used and the preparation date will be available in the laboratory office.
• Thiel (surgical or flexible) specimens are stored in zipped bags in a locked refrigeration unit in the laboratory when not being used for labs or workshops.

7.2 Handling Fresh Tissue

• Any fresh tissue sample is handled with gloves and protective eyewear. Use the specimens within the designated timeframe or store them under proper conditions, such as refrigeration.

7.3 Cadaver Maintenance

• Cadavers are checked each week and moistened with appropriate preservative solutions to prevent drying out.
• When not being used, cadavers are covered with plastic sheets in the dissection tanks or stored in sealed body bags.

8. Lab Equipment Care and Maintenance

8.1 Dissection Tools

• Dissection tools are cleaned following each use with detergent and water.
• Tools are stored in clean bins in the dissection room.

8.2 Lab Surfaces

• All lab surfaces are cleaned with disinfectant following any workshop or lab. Spills must be cleaned immediately according to safety protocols.

8.3 Ventilation and Climate Control

• An annual air-flow test will be conducted to ensure adequate ventilation in areas where preservatives are used. A copy of the air-flow study is available in the laboratory office.

9. Lab Hygiene Practices

• All personnel must wash their hands after handling specimens and after removing gloves.
• Eating, drinking, and smoking are strictly prohibited in the lab.
• Waste should be properly disposed of in designated containers. Chemical waste must not be mixed with general waste.

10. Documentation and Reporting

• All injuries, spills, or accidents must be reported immediately to the lab supervisor, and incident reports must be submitted within 24 hours.
• An inventory of specimens, chemicals, and materials (MSDS), including storage locations and expiration dates are maintained in the laboratory office.
• Record cleaning and maintenance activities in a lab maintenance logbook.

11. Training and Supervision

• All personnel and students must undergo anatomic donation and safety training before they are allowed to participate in any lab activities.
  • The training must cover general safety practices, specimen and chemical handling, and emergency procedures.

• A lab supervisor must be present whenever students are working in the anatomy lab.

12. Lab Exit Procedures

Before leaving the lab, personnel must:

• Properly store all specimens (see attachment I: Anatomy Lab SOP).
• Clean and return tools and equipment to their designated areas.
• Disinfect all surfaces.
• Dispose of gloves and other disposable PPE. Any drapes, gowns, or other articles soaked with preservative or bodily fluids will be placed in biohazard containers and disposed of by licensed biomedical company.

13. Compliance

Failure to adhere to this policy may result in disciplinary action, including suspension of lab access. Regular audits and inspections will be conducted to ensure compliance with safety and maintenance standards.