CAP Pro Course - Safety - Fire and Electrical Safety (2025 & 2026)

Author: Cheryl Bentley, MLS(ASCP)CM
Reviewers: Joshua J. Cannon, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMSHCM and Daniel J. Scungio, MLS(ASCP), SLS, CQA(ASQ)

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Describe the basic elements of fire and electricity associated with injury.
  • Demonstrate basic fire and electrical safety.
  • Recognize potential fire and electrical hazards and associated risk reduction strategies.
  • Explain the proper use of firefighting equipment.
  • Outline evacuation procedures and prioritize steps performed in fire and electrical emergencies.

Course Outline

  • Describe the basic elements of fire and electricity associated with injury.
      • Basic Elements of Electricity Associated With Injury
      • Causes of Electrical Injury
      • Basic Elements of Fire Associated With Injury
      • Types and Causes of Fire-Related Injury
      • The severity of an electrical injury will depend on certain factors. The combination of these variables will impact the degree of injury sustained. Wh...
      • You are the safety officer for your laboratory. As you perform your routinely scheduled safety inspection, you make note of the following items on you...
      • Electricity carries or transports a usable form of energy from one place to another. An electrical current is the flow of charged particles (electrons...
  • Demonstrate basic fire and electrical safety.
      • Fire and Electrical Safe Work Practices for the General Laboratory
      • Basic Fire Safety Measures for Flammable or Combustible Liquids and Gases
      • Basic Fire Safety Measures for Flammable or Combustible Liquids and Gases, continued
      • Different Classes of Fire
      • Basic Electrical Safety Measures
      • Safe Use of Electrical Equipment: Installation, Repair, and Maintenance
      • Which of the following images is an example of a pictogram that would be found on a hazardous chemical in the clinical laboratory to alert the staff t...
      • Laboratories may contain a variety of hazardous chemicals. The use and storage of flammable or combustible liquids and gases, including waste, present...
      • A new incubator is delivered to the microbiology department. The equipment has been inspected and approved for use by qualified personnel. The blue ar...
      • Which statement is an example of a workplace practice that could possibly increase the potential for an electrical or fire-related emergency?
  • Recognize potential fire and electrical hazards and associated risk reduction strategies.
      • Potential Fire Hazards
      • Fire Prevention
      • Fire Drills
      • Potential Electrical Hazards
      • Reducing Electrical Hazards
      • Your hematology department submits differential slides to the pathologist for review if the results meet certain criteria. The slides are dipped in xy...
      • Michael was performing maintenance on the instruments in his assigned laboratory department when the fire alarm sounded. He and his coworkers discover...
      • Jim, the appointed safety officer, conducts monthly checks by walking through the laboratory to ensure there are no safety hazards and correcting any ...
  • Explain the proper use of firefighting equipment.
      • Types and Proper Use of Fire Extinguishers
      • Decision to Fight a Fire
      • Other Types of Firefighting Equipment
      • Annual servicing should be conducted on fire extinguishers by an authorized person and may include recharging the extinguisher. Monthly visual checks ...
      • When properly trained to use a fire extinguisher, it is possible for laboratory associates to control the beginning stage of a fire. Before considerin...
      • Mary is working in the laboratory and starts to smell something burning. As she investigates, she notices flames coming from behind an instrument that...
  • Outline evacuation procedures and prioritize steps performed in fire and electrical emergencies.
      • RACE for Fire Emergencies
      • Electrical Emergencies
      • Shock is the most likely type of injury encountered when electrical hazards exist. Shock occurs when the flow of electrical current from equipment goe...
      • The Environmental Services (EVS) department in your facility is on the same upper floor and zone as your windowed laboratory. You are at work on Satur...
      • The acronym RACE is used to help remember the proper steps, in the correct order, to respond to a fire emergency as a team. Which of the following is ...
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Basic
Intended Audience: This program is designed as an educational and training tool for MLS, MT, and MLT personnel, medical laboratory science students and interns, pathology residents, and practicing pathologists.
Author Information: Cheryl Bentley, MLS(ASCP)CM received her degree in Medical Laboratory Technology from Clayton State University in Morrow, Georgia. Cheryl began her career as a generalist at Henry Medical Center in Stockbridge, Georgia, and is currently the Clinical Laboratory Supervisor at Gwinnett Medical Center in Duluth, Georgia.
Reviewer Information:
Joshua J. Cannon, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMSHCM received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. He holds Medical Laboratory Scientist and Specialist in Hematology certifications through the ASCP Board of Certification. He was a professor at Thomas Jefferson University for seven years before transitioning into his current role as an Education Developer. His areas of expertise and professional passions include clinical hematology and interprofessional education.  
Daniel J. Scungio, MLS(ASCP), SLS, CQA(ASQ) has over 25 years of experience as a certified Medical Technologist. He has a bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology from the State University of New York at Buffalo in Amherst and Buffalo, New York. Dan worked as a laboratory generalist in hospitals ranging in size from 75 to 800 beds before becoming a laboratory manager. After 10 years of lab management, he became the Laboratory Safety Officer for a system of more than 10 hospitals and over 20 laboratories and draw sites in the Tidewater area of Virginia.

This course is part of the CAP Competency Assessment Hub.

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