LABORATORY DESIGN – INFRASTRUCTURE

(Engineering Controls)

Engineering controls cover a broad spectrum of

possible interventions that are intended to physically
reduce worker exposure and protect workers from
hazardous conditions.

General Considerations to be kept in mind while

designing a laboratory
➢ to provide a safe accessible environment for
laboratory personnel to conduct their work
➢ anticipate health and safety hazards and
incorporate corrective measures into the
design wherever possible
➢ the safety of the patients, or users, the staff
and the environment must be taken care of
➢ ergonomic and linear workflow in the lab our
ergonomic means designed for efficiency
and comfort in the working environment
➢ Additionally, the laboratory and non-
laboratory activities must be segregated as
much as possible the layout of a laboratory.
Layout of the Laboratory
1. Sample Collection Area This image tracks the possible movements of a
patient the patient enters from outside and has
➢ Waiting room/area accessed to the reception the waiting area the blood
➢ Toilets (male and female) sample collection area and the toilets the patient
➢ Specimen collection should not have any access into the main laboratory
➢ Transport of specimen area where the processing and testing of specimens
are done.
2. Laboratory Working Area
➢ Registration/reception of samples The main laboratory area should have restricted
➢ distribution of samples access allowing only employees and laboratory staff
➢ specific sections inside the patient must also not have any access to
the storage area and staff rooms.
➢ sample storage
➢ BMW segregation
➢ Reporting/records
➢ report collection
3. General Laboratory Area
➢ Storage of consumables and records
➢ general washing area, autoclaving
➢ staff room (eating, changing, lockers, toilets)
➢ office area
 ➢
7. Ventilation
➢ air and humidity conditioning
➢ air exchanges: 6-10/hour in general
laboratory
➢ air exchanges: 10-12/hour in TB lab
➢ Exhaust fans in relevant areas

8. Temperature
➢ Room temperature: 24 to 28 degrees
Celsius
➢ measured and records maintained

This image tracks the movement of the 9. Noise

specimen. Once the specimen is collected and ➢ optimum: < 70 decibels
sent into the laboratory area for testing then it ➢ earplugs and soundproofing as per
should not leave the laboratory premises. Only needed
once it is discarded can it be taken outside the
laboratory, please note that the specimen must 10. Space for equipment
also not be taken into the storage area, staff ➢ 6 inches away from controls
rooms, or the office area. ➢ Access to controls behind
➢ away from water hazards
General Requirements ➢ out of traffic areas

1. Handwash 11. Workbenches

➢ At entrance/exit ➢ surface
➢ in all sections ➢ height
➢ elbow taps ➢ width
➢ liquid soaps
➢ paper towels 12. Biomedical Waste (BMW) Management
➢ disposal bins ➢ Bins at points of generation
➢ temporary holding area
2. Water Supply
➢ clean water for general use 13. communication systems
➢ drinking water ➢ external
➢ specific requirements for equipment ➢ internal
➢ example: RO water, deionized water,
distilled water 14. Signage
➢ emergency exits
3. Lighting ➢ emergency evacuation plans
➢ adequate: min. 300 lux
➢ Avoid glare spacing of light fixtures 15. piped gas line
➢ emergency exit pathways ➢ adequate control valves

4. Multiple electrical points 16. Doors

➢ self-closing and adequate width
5. Emergency power
17. Storage areas
6. UPS for equipment