Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Occupational Safety and Health Among Laboratory Workers in OSHMS Certified and Non-Certified Public Universities in Malaysia

@#Introduction: The use of chemicals in teaching laboratories exposes students and laboratory staff to risk arising from hazardous chemicals. Accidents related to poor management and handling of chemicals have been reported in teaching laboratories. Good implementation of occupational safety and health (OSH) in organisation that has implemented OSH-Management System (OSH-MS) plays an important role in reducing accidents at the workplace. The aim of this study is to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) related to the OSH aspect in chemical handling among workers in OSH-MS certified and non-certified public universities in Malaysia. Method: This is a cross-sectional survey involving laboratory workers in four public universities in Malaysia. A total of 120 laboratory staff were recruited and data on KAP was collected using self-administered questionnaires disseminated physically and via online platforms. Items in the questionnaire were adapted from previous studies and published guidelines. Data obtained were entered into statistical software for analysis. Results: About 76% of workers in certified universities have high knowledge, 94% have a positive attitude, and 88% have good practice in OSH. In non-certified universities, 70% have high knowledge, 97.1% have a positive attitude and 81.4% have good practice in OSH. Good practice level was significantly higher in certified universities. Knowledge, in general, was associated with younger age and higher education level while attitude was linked to gender. Conclusion: There were higher percentages of good OSH practice among laboratory workers in OSH-MS certified universities. Structured and systematic OSH governance can facilitate better OSH practice and implementation in certified public universities.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of safety precautions among laboratory technologist of clinical microbiology laboratory

Background: Laboratory workers are exposed to a variety of potential occupational health hazards including infectious materials and cultures, toxic and flammable chemicals, as well as electrical hazard. It is important for laboratory workers to be aware of the potential hazards and ensure safety in practices. Carelessness, negligence, and unsafe practices may result in serious injuries not only to the individual but also coworkers and patients as well. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of laboratory safety precautions among technicians working in clinical microbiology laboratory. Materials and Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study on KAP of laboratory safety precautions among technicians. A close-ended structured questionnaire was canvassed to the technicians and responses were analyzed. Results: A total of 30 laboratory workers participated in the study. The overall correct responses regarding knowledge of laboratory safety precautions were 74% (673/900) and practices of the same were 79% (427/540). Few (10/30) perceived biomedical waste management as a burden and some (9/30) felt that too much of effort is required to follow optimal hand hygiene. Conclusion: Training and retraining on laboratory safety precautions are required along with counseling to induce a positive attitudinal change.

Review of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Among Laboratory Workers Towards Occupational Safety and Health

@#Laboratory workers exposed to diverse occupational exposures to accidents. Evidently, extant, yet very limited empirical underpinnings suggest that knowledge, practices and awareness of safety precautions are uncharacteristically poor among laboratory workers. As such, their demonstration of safety-related attitudes and practices have remained questionable. This paper, thus presents a systematic search of the literature on laboratory workers’ safety-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Specifically, literature published between 2007 and 2017 that characteristically attempted to evaluate knowledge, attitudes and practices among laboratory workers on Occupational Safety and Health were reviewed. Evidently, results from the review indicate poor knowledge, attitude and practice among the laboratory workers. It is critical that strategies be put in place by the management of the health facilities to institute and undertake activities in the form of training, improved safety management practices, organizational commitment and improved safety culture.

Dietary Life, Vitamin D Status and Blood Clinical Indices of University Laboratory Workers / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: Although the number of laboratory workers is constantly increasing every year, few studies have been conducted on the health and nutritional status of these research workers. This study determined the health status of laboratory workers by analyzing their anthropometric indices, dietary life, vitamin D status and blood clinical indices. METHODS: The subjects consisted of 100 female laboratory workers. This study investigated their diet, anthropometric indices, vitamin D status and blood clinical indices. The subjects were divided into two groups according to their duration of working in a laboratory (<1 year,≥1 year). RESULTS: The average age and body mass index (BMI) of subjects were 23.18 years and 21.51 kg/m2, respectively Those subjects with over 1 year employment (≥1 year) had a significantly higher waist-hip ratio than that of the subjects with the less than 1 year employment (<1 year). The mean serum vitamin D level of all the subjects was 10.04 ng/mL, which is close to a level of vitamin D deficiency. There was a significantly higher average intake of calories in the over 1 year employment group as compared to that of the less than 1 year employment group. The frequency of eating sweet snacks was significantly higher for the over 1 year employment group. The correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation between the serum 25-(OH)-vitamin D level and the time of exposure to sunlight, while dietary intake of vitamin D did not show correlation with the serum 25-(OH)-vitamin D level. However, the serum 25-(OH)-vitamin D level was also negatively correlated with both the percentage of body fat and visceral fat. CONCLUSIONS: Laboratory workers are a very high risk group in terms of their nutritional status of vitamin D. Therefore, they need greater time of exposure to sunlight as well as increasing their dietary consumption of vitamin D. In addition, it is important for laboratory worker to practice regular and balanced dietary habits in order to maintain a healthy life.

Sick Building Syndrome And Mental Health Among University Laboratory Staffs

he aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS) and other factors contributing to probable mental health problems among university laboratory staffs. A cross - sectional study was conducted among 264 laboratory staffs in UPM. Data was collected using validated self - administrated questionnaires consists of Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and SBS. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. In total, about 28% of the participants reported having probable mental health problems. The prevalence of SBS was 31.4%. After controlling for confounders, the significant factors for probable mental health problems were job insecurity (AOR 2.33, 95% CI 0.212 - 0.867 ), job demand (AOR 1.12, 95% CI 0.445 - 0.921 ), fatigue (AOR 0.94, 95% CI 0.162 - 1.425 ), drowsiness (AOR 0.75, 95% CI 1.023 - 4.647 ) and household income (AOR 0.339, 95% CI 0.166 - 0.995). Results visibly showed that psychosocial factors and symptoms of SBS at their working environment contribute to pr obable mental health problems among laboratory staffs. The strongest predictors in this study were job insecurity. Hence, further assessment and preventive measures should be carried out to reduce the risk factors of probable mental health problems and to improve working environment among university laboratory staffs

Sick Building Syndrome And Mental Health Among University Laboratory Staffs

@#The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS) and other factors contributing to probable mental health problems among university laboratory staffs. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 264 laboratory staffs in UPM. Data was collected using validated self-administrated questionnaires consists of Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and SBS. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. In total, about 28% of the participants reported having probable mental health problems. The prevalence of SBS was 31.4%. After controlling for confounders, the significant factors for probable mental health problems were job insecurity (AOR 2.33, 95% CI 0.212- 0.867), job demand (AOR 1.12, 95% CI 0.445-0.921), fatigue (AOR 0.94, 95% CI 0.162-1.425), drowsiness (AOR 0.75, 95% CI 1.023-4.647) and household income (AOR 0.339, 95% CI0.166-0.995).Results visibly showed that psychosocial factors and symptoms of SBS at their working environment contribute to probable mental health problems among laboratory staffs. The strongest predictors in this study were job insecurity. Hence, further assessment and preventive measures should be carried out to reduce the risk factors of probable mental health problems and to improve working environment among university laboratory staffs.

Chemoprophylaxis and Serological Follow-Up in Brucella abortus Exposed Laboratory Workers / 감염과화학요법

The aerozolization is one of possible Brucella transmission mechanisms, particularly in air-borne exposed laboratory workers. In this study, seven laboratory workers were potentially exposed to B. abortus via aerosols. Two laboratory workers who sniffed an agar plate several times were considered to be at high risk for acquiring the disease, 5 workers who did not work directly with the strain were be considered at low risk of infection. Prophylactic antibiotics of doxycycline 200 mg/day and rifampin 600 mg/day were offered for 6 weeks in high risk workers and 3 weeks for low risk workers, respectively. Enrolled workers were advised to check for serological testing of Brucella species every 3 weeks during a total period of 12 weeks. Compliance with taking medicine was 57.1% (4/7) and compliance for completing the serological tests was 85.7% (6/7). None of the laboratory workers developed clinical disease or tested positive serologically during 3 months of serological testing and 1 year of clinical follow-up.

Chemoprophylaxis and Serological Follow-Up in Brucella abortus Exposed Laboratory Workers / 감염과화학요법

The aerozolization is one of possible Brucella transmission mechanisms, particularly in air-borne exposed laboratory workers. In this study, seven laboratory workers were potentially exposed to B. abortus via aerosols. Two laboratory workers who sniffed an agar plate several times were considered to be at high risk for acquiring the disease, 5 workers who did not work directly with the strain were be considered at low risk of infection. Prophylactic antibiotics of doxycycline 200 mg/day and rifampin 600 mg/day were offered for 6 weeks in high risk workers and 3 weeks for low risk workers, respectively. Enrolled workers were advised to check for serological testing of Brucella species every 3 weeks during a total period of 12 weeks. Compliance with taking medicine was 57.1% (4/7) and compliance for completing the serological tests was 85.7% (6/7). None of the laboratory workers developed clinical disease or tested positive serologically during 3 months of serological testing and 1 year of clinical follow-up.

Hand Hygiene and Preventive Strategies among Clinical Laboratory Workers / 中华医院感染学杂志

OBJECTIVE To measure the compliance of laboratory personnel with different components of hand hygiene and improve their concerns for prevention.METHODS By checking and evaluating the exposing risks factors,including HIV,HBV and HCV source of infections,we found and formulated effective ways for preventing occupational disease.RESULTS The level of compliance at the end of duty was 95.0%.Pathogenic microorganisms were exclusively found on hands of laboratory personnel who wore jewelry.CONCLUSIONS Accurate evaluation and practical preventive strategies are key factors to reduce the professional exposing risks.Hand hygiene should be directed not only at healthcare workers but also at laboratory personnel.