Microbiology Safety

Pathophysiology Rules
Safety Rules

Hazards exist in the lab for toxic chemicals and microorganisms. Microbes, in particular have a great versatility to grow
and proliferate in different environments (i.e., opportunistic pathogens), and thus it is imperative that you conduct yourself
safely at all times when in the laboratory. If the lab instructor becomes concerned for your safety, or the safety of others,
you will be asked to leave the lab.

1. Note the location for the fire extinguishers, fire blanket, emergency showers, and eye wash apparatus.

2. Do not eat or drink in the laboratory, or place any object on near your mouth.

3. Keep your lab station neat! Do not have any unnecessary books or papers at your work area.

4. Do not sit on the lab bench OR on the lab tables. Do not pull up a chair to the lab bench. Keep the aisles clear!

5. If a fire starts, or the fire alarm sounds, unplug any electrical apparatus and vacate the laboratory in an orderly
manner. Know the procedure for evacuation!

6. Dress appropriately for the lab. This may include the following:
i) long hair should be tied back (when using flames)
ii) wear closed footwear to protect the feet (when necessary)
iii) wear a lab apron(when necessary)
iv) wear protective glasses at all times (when necessary)

7. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before starting your exercises as well as after. You NEVER
have to ask to wash your hands!

8. Do not place any hazardous or infectious materials in the sink. Do not dispose of any solid material in the sink.

9. To clean up spills of microbial cultures do the following: IMMEDIETLY spray the spill with bleach, allow the bleach to
sit for a few minutes and then wipe the spill clean. Repeat the step to ensure youve killed all the microbes! WASH
YOUR HANDS!

10. Never place any instruments or materials into your mouth, nose or ears.

11. Place materials that are used during class immediately into the appropriate waste container. Some materials
simply get returned to where you retrieved them from DO IT! Your teacher will tell you how and where to dispose of
materials.

12. Place used glass slides and coverslips in disinfectant. Do not discard any prepared demonstration slides.

13. All materials requiring incubation or refrigeration must be appropriately labeled.

14. At the conclusion of each class clean the microscope at your station. Use lens tissue to clean the oil immersion
lenses and leave the microscope standing with the low power lens in place.

15. Decontaminate your work bench at the end of each exercise by applying an antiseptic/bleach wash.

16. Before leaving the laboratory for any reason (called to the office, bathroom, water fountain) wash your hands
thoroughly with antiseptic soap and water.

THE FOLLOWING CHART IS A GOOD REFERENCE TO MICROBIOLOGY SPECIFIC SAFETY

PRCEDURES AND POLICIES
 Microbiology Lab
Pathophysiology Lab Safety
SAFETY DO's: SAFETY DON'T's:
Keep your workbench neat and organized. Place cultures near the edge of the bench.
Label all cultures/containers. Mix unknown chemicals.
Clean up TOGETHER; You did the lab together, so clean NEVER touch ANY bacteria!
up together! (on a plate or in a tube)
Be Hair Aware Think that a nice sounding name for an organism means it
harmless.
Ask how to discard used cultures. Pour any live culture down the sink drain.
Wear your safety glasses at all times. Take off your safety glasses or touch your face with
dirty hands.
Report accidents to the instructor immediately. Attempt to clean up a spill by yourself or leave the lab to
treat an injury by yourself. Spray bleach on any spilled
cultures IMMEDIETLY and call the teacher over to help
clean it up!
Keep aware of your surroundings; Just because you are Be in a rush to finish.
following all lab procedures doesnt mean everyone else
is!
Turn off your burner when not in use. Keep the flame going because its neat.
Keep all cultures covered properly Open agar plates to smell cultures dont even waft!
Share slides and only get what you need. Taking too Take multiple slides from the front at once. If we are
many at once puts you at risk of breaking them working with 10 slides, take them 1 or 2 at a time, not all
10 at once.
CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN your microscope especially Assume your lab partner has cleaned the microscope lens
oil immersion lenses
Put your cultures away for the day in the proper incubator Leave your culture out for the teacher to put away;
or rack another class is coming in and they should not be exposed
to your bacterial cultures!
AN EXPERIMENT DONE WELL IS...
AN EXPERIMENT DONE SAFELY.

(print your full name in the blank below and read the statement)
I ________________________________have read and agree to follow all of the safety rules set forth in this
contract. I realize that I must obey these rules to insure my own safety, and that of my fellow students and
instructors. I will cooperate to the fullest extent with my instructor and fellow students to maintain a safe lab
environment. I will also closely follow the oral and written instructions provided by the instructor. I am aware
that any violation of this safety contract that results in unsafe conduct in the laboratory or misbehavior on my
part, may result in being removed for the laboratory, detention, receiving a failing grade, and/or dismissal from
the course.

____________________________________ ____________________
Student Signature Date

I too understand what is expected of my child in order for there to be a safe lab environment in microbiology
class. I will hold my child to the above expectations and I understand that he/she may be removed from the
lab if unsafe lab practices are carried out.
____________________________________ ____________________
Parent/Guardian Signature Date