Chapter 15.9 : Risk Assessment

Abstract:

A primary duty of directors of clinical microbiology (CM) laboratories is to develop and disseminate a biosafety manual, procedure, or similar document customized for their particular laboratory and staff. If made readily available, used wisely, and reviewed frequently, the information in this biosafety document will greatly reduce the chances that CM staff will experience a laboratory-acquired infection (LAI). In order for such a document to be relevant and effective, the director must (i) thoroughly examine all CM laboratory activities, job descriptions, job duties, facilities, equipment, and work areas and identify biohazard risks to which CM employees might be exposed and (ii) determine the ways in which each risk can be mitigated. Taken together, the identification of risks in a CM laboratory and the development of ways to mitigate these is called risk assessment. Although the director is ultimately the primary person responsible for risk assessment, every worker in the laboratory has a role to play in risk assessment.