Biological and Chemical Safety in the Microbiology Laboratory
What Do I Need to Know?
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RESPONSIBILITIES IN ALL LABS: Think about the kinds of risks
and hazards in your lab..both biological and chemical. There are
many resources and guides. See links. Have a plan to address the
risks..implement and monitor it. Be sure to involve authorities at
your college and at state level if required.. They are your allies
and can provide valuable and necessary assistance. AS AN INSTRUCTOR
OF MICROBIOLOGY: Make the rules clear and insist (from day one)
that discipline and professional behavior in the laboratory is
absolutely required. Lack of rigorous discipline is often the
reason why students lapse as they may not take you seriously. There
should be consequences for students who do not take policies
seriously. Explain that in a microbiology laboratory, biosafety
concerns add to the list of required precautions above and beyond
those in other labs at the university. Be a conscientious modeler
of every regulation. Never take short cuts or let students see you
bending or breaking the rules even when working alone in the lab.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS: Clinical labs Experimentation involving human
or animal subjects Researchers with NIH or NSF grant funding,
etc.
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Basic Safety
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Your university has emergency response guidelines but be sure
your students know what to do if they are in your lab when
something happens..rooms and buildings differ. Describe, discuss,
post information..and have contingency plan if you are
unconscious.
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Chemical Safety
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We all use chemicals in our labs. In the lab there should be
access to a database of MSDS information about all of them in case
of accident or spill. There are many different ways that labs and
universities do this.
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No eating or drinking in the lab..of course. I dont allow cough
drops, gum etcanything that goes in the mouth.
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Proper footware is essential. I keep slippers of shame (cheap
plastic clogs) for students who forget. But they dont forget if you
are strict. Other details like pulling back long hair is an
excellent idea.
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Lab coat must be worn properly and other considerations will be
discussed.
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Mouth pipetting? Goggles.
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Storage of flammables. Non denatured 200proof alcohol is also
regulated..you must keep records of usage.
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Labeling of chemicals and solutions is important.
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Anything normally found in a kitchen, or thought of as food
needs to be labeled otherwise.
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Storage of corrosives like strong acids and bases.
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Possible exposure to chemical powders
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All chemical waste MUST be collected, properly labeled and sent
for appropriate disposal. Yes there are costs associated, so less
waste is to everyones advantage.
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Waste satellite area must be set up in each room where waste is
generated. Proper labels should be provided and guidelines for
collection and disposal.
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Spill kits should be available as part of risk assessment
response plan. Accidents happen..plan for them.
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Biological Safety
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Biological Safety Cabinet..there are many types for different
applications. They are NOT the same as a chemical fume hood.
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Security and storage of stock cultures.
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Master list of cultures is available where they are stored. All
equipment and each room where there are cultures being used is
labeled as BOHAZARD.
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Biological waste must be disposed of properly.
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Bench disinfection
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HAND HYGIENE
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Proper use of gloves!
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Control of potential intruders.
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Aerosols and droplets
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STUDENT AGREEMENT ON LABORATORY SAFETY I have read the
Laboratory Policy Statement of the Department of Biological and
Environmental Sciences, Western CT State University, and I
understand its content. I agree to abide by all laboratory and/or
field rules set forth by the instructor. I agree to inform the
instructor, in writing, of any personal condition which may render
a laboratory or field experience unsafe for me or others prior to
my participation in that laboratory or field experience. If I am at
special risk for any of the reasons explained in the policy
statement, I will discuss the situation with my physician before
proceeding with the course. I understand that my safety is entirely
my own responsibility and that I may be putting myself and others
in danger if I do not abide by all the rules set forth by the
instructor and/or if I do not provide relevant information as
stated above. COURSE:BIO 215 (MICROBIOLOGY) FALL 2010 NAME OF
STUDENT (PRINT)________________________ SIGNATURE OF
STUDENT________________________ STUDENTS MUST UNDERSTAND RISKS AND
RULES. ELICIT THEIR COOPERATION AND AGREEMENT ON DAY ONE.