Tricia Posted February 22, 2006 Share Posted February 22, 2006 My safety officer is telling me that I must use a splash shield to open tubes for transfusion service testing. He says that even though we use safety top tubes, aerosols are created and we must protect staff. I contend that aerosols are not what those shields protect against, it is splashes. But I must ask you all, is it common practice to use a shield to work behind? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donellda Posted February 22, 2006 Share Posted February 22, 2006 I usually open my tubes with a piece of gauze in case of aerosols. The one time I did use my shield, the whole counter fell down so I haven't use it since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lcsmrz Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 Some type of barrier is a great idea when opening specimens! But as in all engineering-type controls, it should fit your work situation . I dislike being informed of only one type of barrier available -- and I hate face shields in normal lab conditions, unless absolutely necessary.We use HemoGard tubes, which, when used properly, offer significant protection against sprays. But we have a pull-down type face shield installed on every workstation that do not obstruct your arms and hands as much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adiescast Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 We have pull down shields available at each work station. I have to agree that they are more useful against splashes than aerosols, but a splash is also more likely to happen when you are opening a sample tube. We really only use the shields when we open the tubes or cutting segments (which we do not do very often - we use the seg-safe devices). Otherwise, the volumes are low enough that a splash is pretty unlikely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kate murphy Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 We also use pull down safety shields at all benches when opening tubes, even Hemoguard tubes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jssa1891 Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 Because there is a risk of aerosol, even with Hemoguard tubes, we must use either vinyl-backed gauze squares or a face shield when removing the stoppers from tubes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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