1: Laboratory Safety and Best Practices

Laboratory Safety Overview

The lab activities in this course involve the use of living organisms. Although the organisms that we use are not considered to be highly virulent, all microorganisms should be treated as potential pathogens (capable of causing disease). With proper laboratory procedures, the danger is minimal; however, carelessness can result in very serious accidents. For your safety and the safety of everyone in the lab and minimize the contamination of the lab environment, you must observe the following safety rules at all times.

This will be reinforced by practice and feedback in every lab.

Laboratory safety is our first priority and everyone (instructors and students) are expected to observe the following safety rules at all times.

Safety Rules

• Never place books, backpacks, purses, etc., on bench tops. Always place these in the assigned area. Always clean lab manuals, pens, pencils, etc after use to minimize transfer of microbes to other surfaces.
• Electronic devices should not be brought into the lab. This includes, but is not limited to computers, cell phones, and calculators.
• Clean your work area with 70% ethanol solution at the beginning AND end of each lab.
• Wash your hands with soap and dry with paper towels when entering and leaving lab.
• Use appropriate personal protective equipment at all times while working in the lab.
  • Closed-toe shoes (no sandals) are to be worn in the lab.
  • Long hair must be tied back to prevent exposure to flame and contamination of cultures.
  • Goggles must be worn if anyone in the laboratory is using a Bunsen Burner, caustic chemicals, a hot plate, or anything with a splash or fire risk.
• Do not place anything in your mouth or eyes while in the lab. This includes pencils, food, and fingers. Keep your hands away from your mouth and eyes.
  • Eating and drinking are prohibited in the lab at all times. This includes gum, cough drops, and candy. Do not apply cosmetics in the lab. This includes Chapstick™ and Blistex™.
  • Never pipet by mouth. Use a mechanical pipetting device.
  • You may bring a drink or a snack to leave outside the classroom.
• Use care around open flames.
  • Be aware of lit Bunsen burners and do not leave a lit burner unattended.
  • Tie back long hair and avoid wearing loose clothing around the flame.
  • Never spray ethanol in the vicinity of a lit burner. If a beaker of ethanol is used for sterilization in conjunction with a Bunsen burner, be sure that you have a fire‐proof lid for the beaker within easy reach in case the ethanol catches fire.
• Do not remove media, equipment, or bacterial cultures from the laboratory except for authorized reasons (to autoclave).
• Do not place contaminated instruments such as inoculating loops, needles, and pipettes on bench tops. Loops and needles should be sterilized, and pipettes should be disposed of in designated receptacles of bleach solution or waste.
• Carry cultures in a test tube rack when moving around the lab or when keeping cultures on bench tops for use. This prevents accidents and contamination of your person or belongings.
• Immediately cover spilled cultures or broken culture tubes with paper towels and then saturate them with disinfectant solution. Notify your instructor that there has been a spill. After 15 minutes, dispose of the towels and broken items as indicated by your instructor.
• Report accidental cuts or burns to the instructor immediately.
• At the end of each lab session, dispose of biological waste properly. Biological waste consists of living organisms (such as microbes) and any objects that may have come in contact with them (such as gloves, pipets, etc.).
  • Solid disposable waste should be put in biohazard bags.
  • Liquid waste should be dumped in the collection beaker to be bleached by the lab staff before it is poured down the drain.
  • Test tubes and other glassware should be soaked in a 10% bleach solution for 20 minutes.
• Persons who are immune-compromised (including those who are pregnant or may become pregnant) and students living with or caring for an immune-compromised individual are advised to consult with your physician to determine the appropriate level of participation in the lab. Should your physician determine that you should not participate in this lab, please have him or her write a note stating the concerns. Alternative accommodations may be indicated.

OSHA Information

Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are located: ____________________________________________

The first aid kit is located: ____________________________________________

The eyewash station is located: ____________________________________________

The shower is located: ____________________________________________

The fire extinguisher is located: ____________________________________________