Safety in the Lab

Pat Hlavka, CSP, Safety Coordinator at Mayo Clinic, provides recommendations and resources to give the gift of safety this holiday season.

By Pat Hlavka • November 29, 2018

Pat Hlavka, CSP, Safety Coordinator at Mayo Clinic, discusses the importance of fire safety in the home, at work, and in the laboratory.

By Pat Hlavka • October 4, 2018

Pat Hlavka, CSP, Safety Coordinator at Mayo Clinic, discusses the importance of sharps safety and Mayo Clinic's Blood-Borne Pathogen Exposure Reduction Subcommittee.

By Pat Hlavka • September 6, 2018

Pat Hlavka, CSP, Safety Coordinator at Mayo Clinic, chatted with Shayne Brannman, Director of ASPR-TRACIE, and her team regarding clinical laboratories and how they plan for and respond to disasters. View this post for great resources that you can share to spread the word about laboratory preparedness and resilience.

By Pat Hlavka • July 19, 2018

Pat Hlavka, CSP, Safety Coordinator at Mayo Clinic, celebrates National Safety Month.

By Pat Hlavka • May 31, 2018

Pat Hlavka, CSP, Safety Coordinator at Mayo Clinic, celebrates Earth Day 2018. The theme for this year's Earth Day is "End Plastic Pollution."

By Pat Hlavka • April 19, 2018

Pat Hlavka, CSP, Safety Coordinator at Mayo Clinic, talks about the importance of National Stop The Bleed Day, a national awareness campaign about the top cause of preventable death in trauma.

By Pat Hlavka • March 29, 2018

Pat Hlavka, CSP, Safety Coordinator at Mayo Clinic, discusses the evacuation of a health care facility when disaster strikes.

By Pat Hlavka • February 22, 2018

Pat Hlavka, CSP, Safety Coordinator at Mayo Clinic, discusses the most commonly cited Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspection findings for medical and diagnostic laboratories.

By Pat Hlavka • January 18, 2018

The old saying is that practice makes perfect. So, why is it so hard to set up a fire drill practice and get employees to participate? Pat Hlavka, CSP, Safety Coordinator at Mayo Clinic, talks about the importance of fire drills.

By Pat Hlavka • December 14, 2017

Here in Minnesota, we have entered into the time of year that is either loved or hated by Minnesotans: winter. In honor of Winter Hazard Awareness Week, November 6–10, Pat Hlavka, CSP, Safety Coordinator at Mayo Clinic, suggests resources and tips to stay safe this winter.

By Pat Hlavka • November 9, 2017

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, it's important to make eye health part of a daily work wellness routine. So what does this mean to those of us working in clinical diagnostic laboratories? For National Eye Injury Prevention Month, Pat Hlavka, CSP, Safety Coordinator at Mayo Clinic, explores eye safety in the laboratory.

By Pat Hlavka • October 5, 2017

Fall is in the air and, for many of us, our thoughts are focused on back-to-school preparations. With a flurry of activity, such as shopping trips for school supplies and clothes, visiting schools, and traveling to fall sporting events, September 17 through 23 is designated as Child Passenger Safety Week. Pat Hlavka, CSP, Safety Coordinator at Mayo Clinic, highlights some considerations for back-to-school safety.

By Pat Hlavka • August 31, 2017