Biorisk Management in a Medical Laboratory: A Case Study of Nigeria Navy Hospital Warri

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing the risk of exposure to biological agents present in the laboratory. The objectives of this study examined, the proper procedure for the safe handling of biological agent, which includes the storage, transportation, decontamination and disposal of the agent and the investigating of physical and administrative control of the biological agent.  A checklist was used to get responses from workers. The collected data was presented in a risk assessment matrix, which was calculated to demonstrate the severity and likelihood of worker exposure to biological agents. The possibility of poor storage and labelling of biological agents was (4), which falls within the severity rate, and its risk rating was (16), which falls beneath the intolerable risk. The possibility of irregular storage condition monitoring was (3), which falls under the severity rate, and its risk rating was (12), which falls under the risk that must be lowered as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP).The possibility of unsecured biological agent transit was (1), which falls within the severity rate, and the risk rating was (4), which falls within the tolerable risk range. The possibility of Curt's and puncture was (3), which comes under the severity risk, and its risk rating was (12), which falls under the risk that must be reduced as low as reasonably practical (ALARP).The possibility of hazardous chemical exposure was (4), which is within the severity rate, and the risk rating was (20), which is below the intolerable risk. The possibility of PPE unavailability and accessibility was (3), which falls under the severity rate, while its risk rating of (12) comes under the risk to be reduced as reasonably practicable (ALARP). The potential of improper use and maintenance of PPE was (4), which falls within the severity rate, and its risk rating (8) falls within the risk to be reduced as low as reasonably practical (ALARP).The potential of defective design and maintenance of laboratory and production facilities was (5), which falls within the severity rate, although the risk rating of (25) comes under the intolerable risk. The probability of insufficient training and instruction on the safe handling of biological agents was (3), which falls within the severity rate, and its risk rating was (12), which falls under the risk that must be reduced as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP). The possibility of noncompliance with rules and procedures for the management of biological agents was (1), which comes within the severity rate, and its risk rating was (5), which falls under bearable risk. The likelihood of reporting incidents involving biological agents was (5), which falls inside the severity rate, and the risk rating was (20), which falls under intolerable risk. This demonstrates that the safety policy was not followed by the case study. It was advised that in order to ensure worker safety, personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn at all times. Appropriate laboratory facility design and upkeep should also be encouraged in order to promote work procedures. Reporting of biological agent-related accidents should also be done in order to implement mitigating measures.