OCCURRENCE MANAGEMENT

Role in quality management systems

Occurrence management is crucial for setting pharmaceutical analysis laboratory

protocols. This management is dealing of laboratory accident, errors or mistakes is critical in
ensuring safe space for laboratory activities.

This chapter will explain, describe, and identify potential problems that may arise in the
laboratory setting, as well as provide strategies for resolving and preventing future problems.

Definition

A laboratory's objective ought to be to investigate, solve, and prevent problems. Any

action that has a unfavorable or negative impact on an organization, including its people, its
products, equipment, or the surroundings in which it operates, is considered an accident. An
occurrence management program must address all such circumstances.

Causes of Laboratory Errors

Common error inside the laboratory is when students or researchers does not follow the
protocols that has been set in order for have safe and sound performance while doing the
activity. There are many common mistakes, accidents or errors inside the laboratory, however,
these occurrences can be managed as long as students will be able to follow all kinds of
preventive actions to avoid accidents. Below are some of the errors that might happen inside
the laboratory and how to manage from getting occur.

Errors inside the laboratory

1.) Not wearing proper outfit.

 Before undertaking any action, put on appropriate PPE. Laboratory gown, gloves,
laboratory shoes, hairnet and goggles are needed inside the laboratory.
 Chemical exposure should be avoided at all costs.
 It is best to not wear any jewelry while in a laboratory. Chemicals can become
trapped under the jewelry and cause injuries to the skin. Jewelry can also
conduct electricity.

2.) Accidentally breaking of laboratory materials or equipments.

 For example, a beaker was accidentally fell on the floor. Cleaning this type of
accident should be aware and careful.
 Wear gloves to clean the mess to avoid getting injured.
  To prevent from breaking glassware materials always put the glassware in a safe
place where no one can break the glass and hold properly the materials to avoid
from breaking. Also, put the materials in one area or placing it on a tray.

3.) Chemical spills

 All chemicals spilled on a body should be washed off immediately with a safety
shower for at least 15 minutes. Remove clothing quickly if it has been
contaminated by a spilled chemical.
 If the spill goes into your eyes, use an eyewash immediately for at least 15
minutes. Allow for complete cleaning by opening the eyes.
 To avoid severe or painful burning, wipe off the spilt chemical residues first
before washing.
 Take away contaminated clothing as soon as possible to minimize further
chemical exposure.
 Call 911 or EHS for emergency assistance, and notify individuals in the area of
the spill.

4.) Cuts and scrapes

 Whenever handling sharp equipment for examination, students should be taught

how to use blades safely.
 Disposing of sharp items, such as shattered glass, needles, or razor blades used
to cut lab materials, make sure students understand to thoroughly cover these
items before transporting them to the trash.

5.) Inadvertently breathing gases in an unventilated environment might result in headaches,

vomiting, and even unconsciousness.

 To ensure safety, educate students the necessary techniques for opening

windows, utilizing ventilation fans, and measuring the amount of gas emission in
a room.

6.) Chemicals are not labeled

 All chemicals should be labeled, and each label should put some warning
statement in order for the students to be aware and prevent getting wrong
chemicals for the experiment that will cause occurrence or accident.
 The labels will help the students to be careful of the chemicals they used.

Emergency Guidelines

1. Fire
 Identify all possible areas or equipments that may cause fire.
 First prepare an evacuation plan or exit pathway in order for the laboratory in
charge or staff to be aware.
  Call security number or activate nearest fire alarm.
 Close all doors to confine fire.
 Do not use a lift, evacuate to safe area or exit building through stairwell.
 Be knowledgeable of the incident and laboratory assist emergency personnel.
2. Earthquake
 Evacuation plan and area should be disseminate.
 Apply the duck, cover and hold technique. Use the laboratory table to perform
this method.
 Evacuating the building, do not go alone, you should be accompanied by your
classmates or teacher. This is what we called “The buddy buddy system”.
 Stay calm and do not panic.
3. Electrocuted
 Cut off the electrical supply if it can be done easily and very quickly. (Remove the
plug from the wall).
 Call emergency for help.
 Unconscious victims should be placed on their side to allow drainage of fluids.
 Never touch the victim that is being electrocuted with bare hands as you will also
be electrocuted.
4. Accidentally Slip
 Report the accident
 Document everything for example, know the reason why the victim slip and all
potential witnesses. The statements victim is crucial for further investigation.
5. Chemicals weren’t disposed properly
 Dangerous chemicals that can cause irritation or sickness should be disposed of
properly.
 Put all the used chemicals in one container.
 Do not throw it on the sink because it will cause awful odor to the laboratory
room. Some students are allergic to dangerous chemicals.
 Some chemicals develop diseases and it will cause break out.

Rectifying and Managing occurrences

Any event that has a negative impact on an organization, including workers, products,
equipment, or the environment, is referred to as an occurrence. Actions, plan and strategies to
minimize the occurrences happening inside the laboratory, including the following.

 Mitigation strategies entail a planned and systematic review of procedures and

protocols to spot possible error spots or points so that corrective action can be
performed to prevent the errors from being made in the first place. Preventive
measures necessitate forethought and teamwork.
 First aid materials are crucial for laboratory activities, in case of a person who got
injured and lost consciousness in the middle of the examination or activity.
 Faulty equipment should not be distributed to the students to avoid accidents and
electrical malfunctions that may turn into the harmful incident.
  Laboratory in charge should check the materials and equipment first before
being distributed to the students inside the laboratory.
 Laboratory staff should investigate and research the root cause of why occurrences may
happen. For example, the microscope has an electrical malfunction. Laboratory staff
should investigate and look for root of cause of the microscope that has poor electrical
wiring and through this, studies may implement to avoid such incidents.
 The laboratory should implement a procedure for evaluating every laboratory problem
and error as soon as possible. Create a technique for detecting all problems utilizing the
tools at hand. Remember that if there is no active mechanism in place to detect
problems, they may go ignored.
 Lab manual that contains specific instructions for the experiment is vital. Every
laboratory activity should have a lab manual in order for the students to read and follow
all the right actions needed to do in the lab and what materials and equipment they only
need. Following instructions contained in the lab manual may lead to avoiding
occurrences since the students will perform it correctly, resulting in safe space activity
for learning.

Responsibilities

 Everyone working in the laboratory is accountable for keeping an eye out for events.
 Someone must be appointed as the person in charge of channelizing the energies and
operations of all workers into an effective management process.
 In many cases, this is the job of the laboratory director, laboratory manager, or quality
manager.

Summary

The managing of occurrences is a vital feature of laboratory quality management. It

provides ways for detecting errors and stopping them from recurring, as well as identifying
potential errors and eliminating them from occurring. The laboratories should use an effective
strategy for incident management and maintain a positive attitude. Make a concerted effort to
detect issues as soon as possible and to take immediate remedial and corrective action. Be
active in recognizing potential errors and preventing them from occurring.