Rule 111-8-10-.08 - Sanitation and Safety(1)General. All laboratories shall be well lighted, maintained in a clean, neat, orderly and professional manner, and operated in a manner which will prevent undue physical, chemical, or biological hazards to its employees or other members of the community, and shall meet local and state sanitation and safety regulations: (a) Adequate lighting shall be provided for the work area at bench top level.(b) Syringes, needles, lancets, or other bloodletting devices capable of transmitting infection from one person to another shall be of a disposable type or shall be cleaned and sterilized before use, in accordance with accepted sterilization procedures.(2)Sanitary Facilities. All laboratories shall have suitable sanitary facilities, including toilet and hand washing facilities, within the premises. New installations and major renovations completed after the effective date of these rules shall include hand washing and toilet facilities for visitors and patients, separate from those provided for employees.(3)Garbage and Rubbish Disposal. All laboratories shall provide facilities for maintaining sanitary standards, including water supply, sewage, garbage and refuse disposal, throughout the laboratory structure and premises. Such facilities shall meet local and state regulations, and shall be maintained in a clean and orderly manner. Cultures and specimens shall be discarded in an appropriate manner.(4)Safety. Laboratory locations and facilities must conform to local and state building and safety and fire codes and ordinances where applicable. There shall be sufficient space, equipment and facilities to perform the services provided by the laboratory with reasonable accuracy and safety: (a) Work involving the licensed subcategories of mycobacteriology (Levels II or III), mycology (Levels II or III), and appropriate virology shall be performed under a biological safety cabinet with a rating of Class IIA/B3. Safety cabinets shall exhaust filtered air directly to the outside when a recirculation air conditioning system is used. Laboratories utilizing a single pass ventilation system with their safety cabinet may exhaust air back into the laboratory. All laboratory procedures which involve liberation of large amounts of toxic, corrosive or explosive substances shall be performed under a fume hood that has a face velocity of 100 feet per minute and an independent exhaust system;(b) Cylinders of compressed gas shall be properly secured by restraining chains, brackets or other materials that are sufficiently strong to support the weight of the cylinder;(c) Flammable or combustible liquids shall be in containers not larger than one liter, in safety cans, in cabinets suitable for storage of flammable or combustible liquids or must otherwise comply with the requirements established by the state fire marshal; flammable liquids requiring refrigeration shall be stored in an Underwriters' Laboratory labeled explosion-proof refrigerator or otherwise comply with the requirements established by the state fire marshal;(d) Laboratories utilizing corrosive materials or solutions shall have an appropriately located safety spray hose or shower;(e) Each plumbing fixture shall be provided with air gap or vacuum breaker where necessary to eliminate back-siphoning hazards.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 111-8-10-.08
O.C.G.A. § 31-22-1et seq.
Original Rule entitled "Sanitation and Safety" adopted. F. Feb. 20, 2013; eff. Mar. 12, 2013.