Safety and Rules in Biological Laboratory

1.2 Safety and Rules in Biological Laboratory

Self-protection equipment:

Self-protection equipment Descriptions and functions

Made from latex/rubber/plastics.

Gloves Protects the hands from heat and dangerous chemical substances; strong acid and strong alkali.

Lab coat: aids to protect the skin and clothes from chemicals spillage.
Lab coat and lab shoes Lab shoes: protects the legs from chemical spillage and broken glass.

Protects the face and eyes from chemicals splash and protects from inhaling chemicals that can interrupt the respiratory system.
Goggle and face mask

Washing both hands before leaving the lab is a must.

Handwash

Contains salt solution used to wash the eyes if chemical substances/foreign particles get into the eyes.
Eye washer

Station for work that involved with fumes or toxic gas; chlorine, bromine and nitrogen dioxide.
Fume hood

Station used to wash the hand and body when someone exposed to dangerous chemicals.
Emergency shower station

Station for work involved with plant tissue culture, medium preparation that provides a sterile environment to the workplace.
Laminar flow cabinet

Station for work involved with bacteria, fungi and virus cultures helps to prevent the cultures from contaminating the environment.
Biosafety cabinet

Substances that cannot thrown in the sink:

1. Chemical substances, glass, metals, plastics, woods or any solid substances.

2. Grease, oil and oil paint.
3. Toxic substances; benzene, chloroform, hydrogen cyanide, argentum.
4. Heavy metals; mercury, lead, cadmium.
5. Radioactive wastes.
6. Reactive substances that are unstable; sodium metal, ether, hydrogen peroxide.

Substances that can be thrown in the sink:

1. Any liquid/solution that has low concentration, not dangerous and biodegradable.

Methods of handling biological wastes:

Waste category Example Methods of handling

Sharp waste Syringe with needle, needle, glass and scalple Throw it in the sharp-bin waste

Non-sharp waste Gloves, tissue paper, Petri dish, agar, culture waste Throw it in the biohazard bag, sterilize it and throw it in the biohazard bin

Animal carcass Organs, animal tissue waste, carcass Wrap it with tissue paper, put it in the biohazard bag and freeze it

Liquid Broth culture, liquid media, blood and blood product Decontaminate the waste through autoclave before throw it in the biohazard bin

Accidents in the laboratory:

Steps to handle general chemical spills

1. Inform your teacher

2. Declare the spill area as a restricted zone.
3. Prevent the chemical spill from spreading using sand.
4. Scoop up the chemical spill from using appropriate equipment.
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5. Dispose it safely.

Steps to handle mercury spills

1. Inform your teacher

2. Declare the spill area as a restricted zone.
3. Sprinkle sulphur to cover the mercury spills
4. Call the fire and rescue department.

Practices in a biological laboratory:

Practices Explainations

Use a lab coat,gloves,safety shoes and goggles when appropriate.

Clothing ethics

Do not work alone in the laboratory without supervision.

Wash your hand after conducting an experiment.
Do not bring in irrelevant items into the laboratory.
Clean your workstation using disinfectant.
Laboratory safety rules
Dispose wastes according to the set procedures.
Do not eat and drink in the laboratory.
Identify all safety symbols on substances and equipment before use.

Stop work immediately and switch off all nearby power sources.
Unplug appliances
Exit the laboratory according to the emergency exit plan.
Call the fire and rescue department.
Safety measures for fires
Do not panic and stay calm.
Do not turn back to collect your belongings.
Assemble at the assembly point.

Be cautions when handling hot glassware.

Report any damaged equipment or glassware to teachers immediately.
Handling glass and chemicals Keep flammable chemicals away from fire sources.
Do not touch,taste and smell chemicals directly.

Use appropriate gloves when handling biological specimens.

Speciements that are not harmful and have been dissected should be buried or frozen.
Handling live specimens Wash hands with antiseptic detergents before and after experiment.
All surafaces and workstations should be cleaned with disinfectant before leaving the lab.

Inform your teacher

Call the fire and rescue emergency number.
Remove the victim from the scene.
Emergency help
Give emergency treatment.
Make the place of accident as a restricted area.

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