Lab Safety Rules

what levels of biohazards are we working w

level 1 and 2 (pathogens), established by gov of canada canadian biosafety standards and guidelines

any bacteria we touch is potentially pathogenic

when to wash your hands

ALWAYS, before and after you leave the lab

lab attire (3)

1. lab coat (not your own), buttoned up sleeves should hit wrists, long enough to cover legs (DONT WEAR IT OUTSIDE EVER)

2. closed toes shoes, non slip, NO SANDALS, wear socks

3. hair, tied up, bangs pinned, no hats hoods etc.

Food, cosmetics

Never use in the lab, immediate expulsion

eye wear

safety glasses with side cover > goggles

not provided, bring ur own

Bench use

1. wipe down before use (spread w paper towel let it sit for 10 secs b4 wiping)

handwashing technique (4)

1. wet hands w warm water

2. add soap and rub to make soapy lather for min 15 secs; back of hands, between fingers, under nails

3. rinse w warm water

4. wipe dry, turn of water using paper towell

Wounds on hands

1. open wounds, cuts, grazes = covered with waterproof bandages and put gloves on top (if working with level 2 bacteria)

bunsen burner use (3)

1. dont walk away if lit

2. dont leave on unless you need it

3. close gas valve before leaving lab

Aerosol

tiny solid particles or liquid droplets suspended in a gas (like air), might have disease in them in the lab so avoid making them

when is making aerosols likely (1+2)

sterilizing loops

so use the incinerator when you can

or use bunsen and flame until red before putting it back on the stand

things to be autoclaved

put in bags or marked containers for transport

how to carry around test tubes

in test tube rack

disposal of infectious materials, how

must DEcontaminate before disposing

for SMALL spills (3)

soak up w paper towel with disinfectant and let sit for 20 mins to inactivate bacteria

and put in biozard bag for autoclaving

disinfect are again

for LARGE spills (2(

soak most of it with paper towel and disinfectant and discard in biohazard bag to clean up majority of the volume”

repeat steps for small spills

what to do when theres broken glass IN the large spill (i.e. test tube/flask with more than 5mL) (2)

use dustpan/small broom and clean up glass and substance w it. throw entire broom and dustpan in biohazard bag

clean residual glass/substance

how to clean spills on lab coat (3)

blot area with paper towel on BOTH sides of the coat

remove coat and apply disinfectant to it, wait, blot again

TAs will bag in biohazard bag

Disposing test tube cultures (3)

1. take off markings

2. put in the discard bins

3. DONT drain contents down the sink

where to discard: Glass Graduated Pipettes (2)

dispose with tips facing down into the tall plastic container at the bench

DONT throw pasteur pipette or disposable pipette tips

where to discard: Glass Microscope Slides

small labelled trays above bench, DONT CLEAN

where to discard: small disposable items (swabs, plastic or glass pasteur pipettes, pipette tips)

small plastic bucket above bench (jugs) DONT THROW PAPER IN HERE

where to discard: large disposable items (plastic petri dishes)

keep closed and put in biozhazard bag in a large tray on the side bench to be autoclaved

where to discard: other glassware except slides, pipettes

large trays on side bench

where to discard: gloves

the basket at TA bench, NOT regular garbage

HOW TO USE: Bact-incinerator (for level 2 bact)

1. plug in, light will turn on at back

2. wait 10 min to heat, keep it on for whole lab

3. insert loop/needle, dont scrape, put near the back for 10-15 secs dont need to wait for it to turn red

4. avoid contact with heat shield (top of it)

fire, explosions: what to do

1. follow TA

2. shut all windows and turn gas off if possible

fire extuinguishers

1. water hose with water tap

2. dry chemical extuinguisher (3)

types of fires ; classes (4)

A - ordinary combustibles

B - flammable liquids

C - electrical fires

D - combustible metals

water type/soda acid extuingusehrs

use for type A, never type C

CO2 extinguishers

most fires (type A B C) except Na, K, Mg, Al (type D)

dry chemical extinguishers

Type A B C

acid, chemical spills

if it touches skin, wash with water

larger chemical spills

shower, or eye wash

how to use the shower/eye wash

remove cover, grab the handle, pull unit towards u, push lever and spray

Use eye wash for min 15 mins