General Laboratory Safety
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): All personnel must wear lab coats, gloves, and safety goggles at all times. Additional PPE, such as face shields and respirators, may be required depending on the specific experiment.
Work Area Organization: Keep work areas clean and organized. Label all reagents, samples, and equipment clearly to avoid cross-contamination. Use appropriate disinfectants (e.g., 70% ethanol, bleach) to clean work surfaces before and after experiments.
Waste Disposal: Collect all biological waste, including cultures, gloves, and pipette tips, in designated biohazard bags. Autoclave biohazard bags before disposal. Dispose of autoclaved waste according to institutional guidelines.
Chemical Safety: Store chemicals properly according to their hazard classifications, and use fume hoods when handling volatile substances.
Emergency Procedures: Familiarize all personnel with the location and proper use of emergency equipment, including eyewash stations, safety showers, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits.
Spill Response: In the event of a chemical or biological spill, follow the lab's spill response protocol. Evacuate the area if necessary and notify the lab supervisor immediately.
Experiments safety
Centrifugation: Balance centrifuge tubes properly and use sealed rotors to prevent spills and aerosol generation. Disinfect the centrifuge after use.
Gel Electrophoresis: When using ethidium bromide for DNA visualization, handle with care as it is a mutagen. Use nitrile gloves and dispose of ethidium bromide waste following institutional guidelines. Use a UV shield or face shield when visualizing gels under UV light to protect eyes and skin.
Microorganism safety
Handling bacteria, particularly those classified under Risk Group 2, such as Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus used in our project, requires stringent safety protocols to protect laboratory personnel and prevent contamination. Below document outlines the safety procedures and precautions necessary for safely conducting experiments involving Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus.
Specific Procedures for Handling Pathogenic Bacteria
1. Escherichia coli (E. coli):
Culture Handling: Use aseptic techniques to transfer and manipulate cultures. Work inside a BSC to minimize exposure.
Incubation: Incubate cultures in sealed containers or flasks with vented caps to prevent aerosol escape.
Spill Response: In the event of a spill, cover the area with paper towels soaked in disinfectant (e.g., 10% bleach) and allow it to sit for at least 15 minutes before cleanup.
2. Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus (Risk Group 2):
Culture Handling: Use BSL-2 containment practices when handling pathogenic bacteria. Work within BSCs to avoid exposure and contamination.
Waste Disposal: Autoclave all waste materials, including culture plates, pipette tips, and gloves, before disposal.
Hand Hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus cultures, even if gloves were worn.
Spill Response: In case of a spill, evacuate the area and allow aerosols to settle. Cover the spill with paper towels soaked in disinfectant (e.g., 10% bleach) and allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes before cleanup.