Safety and Maintenance

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The following is a list of safety rules for the laboratory:

  1. Locate all safety equipment and supplies in or near the lab. Be familiar with all College safety procedures as listed in the College Catalog and PTA Program Student Handbook. Safety equipment and materials provided on campus include:
    1. MSDS booklet
    2. Fire extinguisher
    3. First aid kit
    4. Disinfectant for lab equipment
    5. Fland sanitizer
    6. Hand washing soap
    7. AED
  2. Wear closed-toe shoes and proper lab attire while working in the lab.
  3. Frequent hand washing should be practiced. Hands should be washed:
    1. After completion of all work and before leaving the lab,
    2. Before and after all activities which entail hand contact with another person,
    3. Before and after eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics, changing contact lenses, and using lavatory facilities.
  4. Eating, drinking, smoking or use of any tobacco product, applying cosmetics or lip balm, and handling contact lenses are prohibited in the lab.
  5. All skin defects on the hands and arms, as well as any other health conditions, will be called to the attention of the lab instructor. Depending on the defect or condition, appropriate action will be taken to protect the student, as well as others in the lab. This may include such things as use of gloves and/or mask during the performance of lab activities.
  6. Never work in the lab without an instructor on duty and at least one other person present in the lab.
  7. All electrical equipment, except those on thermostat, must be unplugged when not in use.
  8. All electrical equipment will be checked by a biomedical specialist annually and should not be used if the date on the machine has expired.
  9. Students will be given specific rules as they are needed for dealing with particular areas of work and study. It is the student’s responsibility to read and follow these directions, as well as any additional safety rules and requirements that apply to each PTA course. These rules are in effect at any time the student is in the lab, and consequences for failure to follow these rules can be found in the PTA Program Student Handbook.
  10. Notify instructor immediately if any type of injury occurs. College policies for incidents and emergencies will be followed.
  11. Notify the instructor of any observed health or safety hazards or potential hazards, such as defective equipment, frayed electrical cords, or needed supplies.
  12. Children of any age are prohibited in the lab at any time.
  13. Visitors should not enter the lab at any time without permission of a faculty member and must be accompanied by a student or member of the faculty
  1. Incident/Accident Report

    In case of an unusual incident involving faculty or students of the PTA program, either during attendance at labs, classes on-campus, or at an off-campus clinical experience, appropriate documentation and follow-up, as necessary, will be completed. Exposure to blood and/or body fluids is an example of an unusual incident.

    The purpose of an Incident/Accident Report is to protect the rights and safety of the College, students, faculty, and visitors to the campus while on campus or participating in off-campus events that include clinical affiliations. In general, if the incident occurs on campus, the campus plan will be followed. If the incident occurs at a clinical facility, the procedure of the facility will be followed, but the College must be notified immediately. The individual involved in the incident is responsible for all costs incurred.

    Wallace Community College has a comprehensive safety plan that covers many possible emergency situations. If you are involved in, or witness an accident on campus, immediately contact a faculty member or dial "1-1-1” for the switchboard operator. All students should become familiar with emergency exits as well as emergency warning system messages, both of which are posted in all buildings. Additional information is in the College Catalog.

    1. If the primary responder determines that the emergency situation is life threatening:
      1. Call 9-1-1.
    2. If the primary responder determines that the emergency situation is non-life-threatening:
      1. Call the College emergency operator from a campus phone by dialing 1-1-1 (Wallace Campus) or 4-2-1-0 (Sparks Campus). If it is an evening or weekend, call campus police/security by dialing 334-798-1381 (Wallace Campus) or 334-798-1228 (Sparks Campus).