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Original version: NIOSHVector version: Michael Pittman, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Summary

During an undergraduate teaching laboratory session, there was a minor spill of Enterococcus faecalis in an azide dextrose broth. The incident occurred when a tube was not properly capped before vortexing, resulting in liquid contacting the student's protective gloves. The investigation revealed that while the teaching group had successfully implemented lower risk Biosafety Risk Group 1 bacteria substitutions for other laboratory exercises, they overlooked similar opportunities for the lesson involving Enterococcus faecalis, a Risk Group 2 bacterium.

Consequences

Exposure to Enterococcus faecalis can lead to urinary tract infections, wound infections, or soft tissue infections with symptoms including fever, fatigue and swollen lymph nodes. Given the organism's resistance to many antibiotics, treatment can be challenging.

Culture of Care

The teaching laboratory staff demonstrated their commitment to the university's safety culture by promptly reporting the spill incident and initiating a thorough review of hazard controls. Their proactive approach to identifying safer organisms for teaching purposes reflects the core principles of hazard elimination and substitution. This incident emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement in laboratory safety practices and showcases how collaborative efforts between teaching staff and safety officers can enhance our protective measures. By prioritizing the implementation of less hazardous materials, teaching laboratories contribute to creating a safer learning environment for all students and staff.

Call to Action

To strengthen our culture of care:

1. Review all teaching laboratory procedures to identify opportunities for hazard elimination.
2. Consider less hazardous substitutes when designing laboratory exercises.
3. Conduct thorough hazard assessments before implementing new procedures.
4. Share lessons learned across teaching laboratories to prevent similar incidents.

Remember to report all incidents in ARISE and contact the HSE for guidance on hazard assessment and hazard control strategies.

The º£½ÇÉçÇø is committed to the safety, health and well-being of our faculty, staff and students. Every day, we advance this commitment to safety through the Culture of Care: Safety Action Plan.