Protecting Staff
Efficient fume extraction systems reduce the risk of exposure to xylene in histology/cytology laboratories.
The east Glamorgan NHS trust has been providing quality healthcare services to the local community for nearly fifty years. It has a fully equipped pathology laboratory – which incorporates histology, cytology, microbiology, biochemistry, haematology and blood transfusion departments – as well as providing in-patient, day patient and out-patient services.
In common with other histology laboratories, the East Glamorgan unit deals with the preparation of biopsy and tissue samples, and the application of specialised staining and immunochemical techniques for the diagnosis of disease. In the cytology laboratory, cell samples from all body areas are examined for the presence of various conditions, including cancer.
Together, these two departments handle over 1000 slides a week, and so staff are regularly exposed to xylene, a common clearing agent routinely used in hospital and clinical laboratories as part of the slide preparation process. Xylene is a volatile chemical, emitting fumes, which are considered to be moderately toxic by health & safety officers. Long term exposure can often lead to serious health problems, and so COSHH regulations demand high standards of protection for laboratory staff who are at risk.
In order to protect its staff, and satisfy the COSHH regulations, East Glamorgan set about choosing an efficient fume extraction system for its histology/cytology laboratories.
Proposals from various manufacturers were measured up against the department's requirements, and as a result, the laboratory purchased four Labcaire WS6 Downflow Workstations.
The Workstations feature a compact design, which suited the space available in East Glamorgan's pathology laboratory.
There was also the safety element to consider. The WS6 units provide a safe means of containing xylene fumes using a main pre-filter and main activated carbon filter system to clean the contaminated air. In the event of low airflow, an alarm is activated indicating the need to replace the pre-filter, so ensuring protection of the environment and safeguarding operators.
Because fume containment and therefore operator protection, is achieved by the downflow of air, the WS6 does not require a front screen.
This feature provides unrestricted access to the working area and makes the unit particularly well suited for slide preparation work where close visibility is required. It also allows the slides to be safely air dried after mounting.
There are no installation costs involved as the units do not require ducting and can be plugged into a standard electricity socket. This makes it easier for the Trust to resite the units anywhere if the laboratory should ever need to change. The WS6 is also designed for easy maintenance.
A hinged top hood provides easy access for changing the filters, and a removable spillage tray located beneath the stainless steel perforated work surface allows easy cleaning.
According to staff, the Labcaire WS6 Workstations have dealt effectively with the situation from day one and have helped both the histology and cytology laboratories in the their work. |
