Occupational Health & Safety

Biography

Biography: Shamsul Arfin Qasmi

Abstract

Objective: This study was designed to survey the existing Bio safety & Bio security levels and the level of facilities extended to laboratory workers to keep themselves and the environment safe from any outbreak of any occupational infectious diseases. It also helped in evaluating the present level of Bio risk Management practiced in these Clinical Laboratories of Karachi, Pakistan. Place & Duration: This study encompassed and covered the 18 towns of Karachi for a period of eight months from January 2012 to August 2012. In this respect a questionnaire was also developed. This study was also instrumental in disseminating the knowledge to the target audience and increased the level of information and message with reference to Implementation of Bio risk Management in view of CWA 15793-2008 was also conveyed to the stakeholders. Materials & Methods: The sixty local laboratories were surveyed in different towns of Karachi i.e. 18 towns with various UC’s. The incidence of Bio safety and Bio security practices were noted and reported. Questionnaire developed in line with CWA 15793. Results: The 60 laboratories surveyed it was found out that the level of awareness with reference to Bio safety and Bio security is very low the reasons for which are multi factorial. It covered the gaps in Bio safety level, with reference to BSC’s, Risk assessment, Roles and responsibilities of different laboratory workers, Bio safety Manual, Bio hazard signage, use of PPE’s, Organizational charts, Bio security and Bio security. Conclusion: This study emphasizes on development of new methods and approach to spread the information to the target audience in a scientific manner to reduce the incidence of Occupational infectious diseases in the community and to save the environment also keeping abreast protocols of Biorisk Management (CWA 15793-2008).