Ateneo - UPO

The course involves an analysis of the Consolidated Act on Health and Safety at Work, specifically the section relating to the activities of the TSLB. Sources of risk in the biomedical laboratory and the pathological anatomy department will be examined. Particular attention will be paid to the assessment of personal protective equipment (PPE) and collective protective equipment (CPE), the criteria for selecting such equipment, and the relevant legal requirements. Students will have the opportunity to carry out hands-on assessments of the most common types of PPE in the classroom and will take part in practical demonstrations involving the use of CPE testing equipment.

The course textbook is the ‘Consolidated Act on Health and Safety at Work’ in any up-to-date edition (available online). Comprehensive handouts are provided during the lessons.

The aim of the course is to provide knowledge and skills relating to safety in biomedical laboratory work and to the reading and understanding of specific safety signage. Participants will also develop the ability to critically assess personal and collective protective equipment in light of the knowledge they have acquired.

To have completed and passed the introductory distance-learning course on health and safety at work (16 hours).

A frontal lesson, including an in-class demonstration of some personal protective equipment and some devices used to assess the correct functioning of collective protective equipment (BIO fume hoods and HEPA filters).

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

Oral examination

The course is usually divided into five sessions, each lasting two hours.

Session 1
An ontological introduction to workplace safety (Maslow’s hierarchy of needs) and the worker’s ethical responsibilities. Fire safety regulations. Review and analysis in class of an evacuation plan. Main fire-extinguishing equipment and its use. Classroom viewing and analysis of examples of laboratory signage (internal procedures in the event of an accident, containment procedures, etc.). An overview of the concepts of risk and harm. Accidents and occupational health surveillance. Risk assessment in healthcare organisations.

Session 2
A review of the main types of personal protective equipment (PPE), including a description and analysis of the materials used. Assessment of selected PPE in the classroom (nitrile, butyl, aramid fibre and steel mesh gloves; FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3 face filters, with and without valves; filter respirators; non-woven full-body suits) and comparison with regulatory standards. Differences between workwear and PPE. Collective protective equipment: types, use, maintenance and inspections. An overview of the risks associated with UV radiation (germicidal lamps). An overview of the risks associated with video display terminals. An overview of noise risks and phonometric measurements.

Lesson 3
Introduction to the Consolidated Act on Health and Safety at Work. Law No. 81/2008, as amended by Legislative Decree No. 159/2016 and subsequent amendments. The parties involved, legal obligations, inspections and penalty procedures, and supervisory bodies. The responsibilities and duties of workers and employers. Hazard statements and precautionary statements (EC Regulation No. 1272/2008). Chemical risks. Labelling of chemical substances. Classroom review and analysis of types of transport labels, product description labels, 16-point safety data sheets, risk phrases and hazard statements.

Lesson 4
The new pictograms: comparison with previous labelling. Carcinogenic substances in the laboratory. An overview of laboratory gases and the associated risks of use. Instruments for assessing the efficiency of fume cupboards: anemometer, actinometer and lux meter. Dusts and fumes: classroom-based counting of airborne particles (PM2.5 and PM10); functions and practical use of the hot-wire anemometer and turbine anemometer in assessing the draught of laboratory fume cupboards, with a demonstration of the equipment in the classroom and a practical exercise by the students. Assessment of VOCs (formaldehyde) and VOCTs in ambient air, with a practical demonstration in the classroom.

Lesson 5
Biological risk. Classification of pathogens in accordance with regulations and the corresponding classification of microbiology/virology laboratories. Horizontal and vertical laminar flow hoods: differences and correct use. HEPA filters: classroom examination and analysis of the structure of a prototype. Further details on signage for the analytical laboratory, the hospital pharmacy and the pathological anatomy department. The concept of microclimate: temperature and relative humidity. Assessment of CO₂ and CO levels in ambient air, with a practical demonstration in the classroom.

By the end of the course, students will have acquired the knowledge and skills to read and understand the information on workplace safety signage. They will also have developed the skills needed to identify the most suitable personal protective equipment and will be able to assess the correct functioning of collective protective equipment in a biomedical laboratory.