Department of Microbiology
Laboratory Policy & Procedure Manual
Section: Quality Manual – Facilities and Safety
Prepared by: QA Committee
Issued by: Laboratory Manager
Approved by: Laboratory Director
Policy QDFSI02001.12
Page 1 of 4
Subject Title: Monitoring Laboratory
Room Humidity Procedure
Original Date: November 29, 2004
Revision Date:
Annual Review Date: May 9, 2014
Purpose
To describe the procedure for the monitoring of laboratory room relative humidity. In
addition to workplace comfort, relative humidity is also monitored to alert staff to the
occurrence of humidity values that may affect test procedures or instrument operation.
Responsibility
Management and personnel
Key Elements
 Workplace comfort humidity guidelines
 Procedure for daily monitoring of laboratory room humidity
Related Documents
Ontario OHS Act
Workplace comfort humidity guidelines
 Workplace comfort guidelines for humidity are 40-60%.
 Humidity values of <25% can cause respiratory and skin problems due to drying
of skin tissue and mucous membranes.
 High humidity values can promote the growth of mold on damp surfaces.
Procedure
1. Using the LIS, record the room humidity once per day. Do not record the
humidity on days that the laboratory is not in use.
2. See the manufacturer’s instrument operation manual to determine if humidity can
affect operation. If humidity levels occur that may affect test procedures or
instrument operation, take precautions to minimize the affect on patient test
results, such as:
a. delaying instrument operation until the humidity problem is resolved
b. move the instrument to an area of the laboratory not experiencing the
problem
c. install a portable fan to improve ventilation
3. When the humidity is affecting instrument operation or staff comfort, notify the
charge or designate who will then contact Engineering. Indicate the current
humidity, and from the humidity chart, indicate the usual lab temperature.
4. Document the corrective action taken in the table at the bottom of the chart.
LABORATORY MANUAL
UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK/MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL, DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY
NOTE: This is a CONTROLLED document for internal use only. Any documents appearing in paper form are not controlled and
should be checked against the document (titled as above) on the server prior to use.
T:\Microbiology\New Manual\Live Manual\Quality Manual\Facilities and Safety\Monitoring Laboratory Room Humidity
QFSMI02001.doc
Department of Microbiology
Laboratory Policy & Procedure Manual
Section: Quality Manual – Facilities and Safety
Policy QDFSI02001.12
Page 2 of 4
Subject Title: Monitoring Laboratory
Room Humidity Procedure
LABORATORY MANUAL
UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK/MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL, DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY
NOTE: This is a CONTROLLED document for internal use only. Any documents appearing in paper form are not controlled and
should be checked against the document (titled as above) on the server prior to use
T:\Microbiology\New Manual\Live Manual\Quality Manual\Facilities and Safety\Monitoring Laboratory Room Humidity
QFSMI02001.doc
Department of Microbiology
Laboratory Policy & Procedure Manual
Section: Quality Manual – Facilities and Safety
Laboratory Room Relative Humidity Log
Month/Year:
Month/Year:
Date TempoC Initials Date
TempoC
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
6
6
7
7
8
8
9
9
10
10
11
11
12
12
13
13
14
14
15
15
16
16
17
17
18
18
19
19
20
20
21
21
22
22
23
23
24
24
25
25
26
26
27
27
28
28
29
29
30
30
31
31
Initials
Page 3 of 4
Policy QDFSI02001.12
Subject Title: Monitoring Laboratory
Room Humidity Procedure
Month/Year:
Date
TempoC
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Initials
Corrective Action Log
Date
Comment
Initials
LABORATORY MANUAL
UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK/MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL, DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY
NOTE: This is a CONTROLLED document for internal use only. Any documents appearing in paper form are not controlled and
should be checked against the document (titled as above) on the server prior to use
T:\Microbiology\New Manual\Live Manual\Quality Manual\Facilities and Safety\Monitoring Laboratory Room Humidity
QFSMI02001.doc
Department of Microbiology
Laboratory Policy & Procedure Manual
Section: Quality Manual – Facilities and Safety
Page 4 of 4
Policy QDFSI02001.12
Subject Title: Monitoring Laboratory
Room Humidity Procedure
Record of Edited Revisions
Manual Section Name: Facilities and Safety
Page Number / Item
Date of Revision
Annual Review
Annual Review
Annual Review
Annual Review
Annual Review
Annual Review
Annual Review
Annual Review
Annual Review
Annual Review
Annual Review
November 30, 2004
May 30, 2005
July 23, 2006
August 9, 2007
August 9, 2008
September 30, 2009
May 31, 2010
May 31, 2011
May 31, 2012
May 31, 2013
May 9, 2014
Signature of
Approval
Dr. T. Mazzulli
Dr. T. Mazzulli
Dr. T. Mazzulli
Dr. T. Mazzulli
Dr. T. Mazzulli
Dr. T. Mazzulli
Dr. T. Mazzulli
Dr. T. Mazzulli
Dr. T. Mazzulli
Dr. T. Mazzulli
Dr. T. Mazzulli
LABORATORY MANUAL
UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK/MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL, DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY
NOTE: This is a CONTROLLED document for internal use only. Any documents appearing in paper form are not controlled and
should be checked against the document (titled as above) on the server prior to use
T:\Microbiology\New Manual\Live Manual\Quality Manual\Facilities and Safety\Monitoring Laboratory Room Humidity
QFSMI02001.doc