Safety Rules in A Microbiology Laboratory

Addis Ababa Science and Technology university
college Biological and chemical engineering

Department of environmental engineerinmg
Environmental microbiology
laboratory safety rules
LABORATORY SAFERTY RULES
Seble k. & Afewerk A.

AASTU | DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
AASTU, Department of environmental engineering 1
1 Introduction
Safety in a microbiology laboratory is important in the prevention of infection as Microbiology
laboratory cultures, manipulates, and uses virulent and/or potentially pathogenic
microorganisms. In addition to microorganisms, there are some chemicals used in this laboratory
that are potentially harmful. Many procedures involve glassware, open flames, and sharp objects
that can cause trauma/ damage if used improperly.
Students has to read and be aware of these rules and safe practices in the laboratory and they need
to sign on this safety rules and working practices before the lab.
2 General Safety Rules and Procedures

The laboratory procedures must be read prior to attending that laboratory session.
1. Smoking, eating, and drinking are absolutely prohibited in the laboratory at any time.
2. Only closed-toe shoes are to be worn in the laboratory. Sandals or open toed or canvas
shoes are not permitted because of the constant danger of cuts and infections from broken
glass found on the lab floors and the possibility of chemical spills.
3. Keep hands and other objects away from your face, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth. The
application of cosmetics in the laboratory is prohibited in the laboratory
4. Work areas/surfaces must be disinfected before and after use.
5. Laboratory coats must be worn and buttoned while in the laboratory. Laboratory coats should
not be worn outside the laboratory.
6. Protective eyewear must be worn when performing any exercise or procedure in the
laboratory.
7. Long hair should be secured behind your head to minimize fire hazard or contamination of
experiments.
8. Hands must be washed before leaving the laboratory.
9. Upon entering the laboratory, coats, books, and other paraphernalia e.g. purses, briefcases
etc should be placed in specified locations and never on bench tops (except for your lab
manual).
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY SAFETY SEBLE K. & AFEWERK A.

RULES
10. Never pipette anything by mouth (including water). Use pipette bulbs or pipetting devices
for the aspiration and dispensing of liquid cultures.
11. Label all materials with your name/group, date, and any other applicable information (e.g.,
media, organism, sapling place, sample type etc.).
12. Dispose of wastes in their proper containers (use Waste Disposal bens to each waste type).
13. When handling chemicals, note the hazard code on the bottle and take the appropriate
precautions indicated.
14. Do not pour chemicals down the sink.
15. Return all chemicals, reagents, cultures, and glassware to their appropriate places.
16. Do not pour bio hazardous fluids down the sink.
17. Glassware should be washed with soap and water, then rinsed with distilled water.
18. Flame transfer loops, wires, or needles before and immediately after use to transfer biological
material.
19. Do not walk about the laboratory with transfer loops, wires, needles, or pipettes containing
infectious material.
20. Be careful around Bunsen burners. Flames cannot always been seen.
21. Report any broken equipment, immediately, report any broken glass, especially those
containing infectious materials.
22. If you are injured in the laboratory, immediately contact your course instructor or TA
(technical assistant).
23. Spills, cuts and other accidents should be reported to the instructor or TA in case further
treatment is necessary.
24. Familiarize yourself with safety equipment in the laboratory and emergency escape routes.
25. Always wipe and clean the lenses of your microscope before putting it away. Use the
appropriate tissue paper and cleaning solution for this purpose.
26. Use appropriate universal precautions with all biological fluids.
27. Do not remove any materials from the laboratory without the written permission of the course
instructor or TA.

RULES
2.1 Safe Practices for the Microbiology Laboratory
1. Treat all microorganisms as potential pathogens. While the majority of

microorganisms are not pathogenic to humans and have never been shown to cause
illness, under unusual circumstances a few microorganisms that are not normally
pathogenic can act as pathogens. Treat all microorganisms—especially unknown
cultures—as if they were pathogenic. A student who has a compromised immune system
or has had a recent extended illness should talk with the instructor before working in the
microbiology laboratory.
2. Sterilize equipment and materials. All materials, media, tubes, plates, loops, pipets,
and other items used for culturing microorganisms should be sterilized by autoclaving.
Otherwise, use commercially sterilized products. Understand the operation and safe use
of all equipment and materials needed for the laboratory.
3. Disinfect work areas before and after use. Use a disinfectant, such as a 10% bleach or
70% ethanol solution, to wipe down benches and work areas both before and after
working with cultures. Also be aware of the possible dangers of the disinfectant, as 70%
ethanol can catch fire around open flame or high heat sources. Bleach, if spilled, can ruin
your clothing. Either alcohol or bleach can be dangerous if splashed in the eyes. Students
should know where the nearest eyewash station and sink are located.
4. Wash your hands. Use a disinfectant soap to wash your hands before and after working
with microorganisms. Non- disinfectant soap will remove surface bacteria and can be
used if disinfectant soap is not available. Gloves may be worn as extra protection.
5. Do not eat or drink in the lab, nor store food in areas where microorganisms are
stored. Never eat or drink in the laboratory while working with microorganisms. Keep
your fingers out of your mouth, and wash your hands before and after the laboratory
activity. Cover any cuts on your hands with a bandage. Gloves may be worn as extra
protection.

RULES
6. Label everything clearly. All cultures, chemicals, disinfectant, and media should be
clearly and securely labeled with their names and dates. If they are hazardous, label them
with proper warning and hazardous information.
7. Autoclave or disinfect all waste material. All items to be discarded after a class, such
as culture tubes, culture plates, swabs, toothpicks, wipes, disposable transfer needles, and
gloves, should be placed in a biohazard autoclave bag and autoclaved 30 to 40 minutes
at 121° C at 20 pounds of pressure. If no autoclave is available and you are not working
with pathogens, the materials can be covered with a 10% bleach solution and allowed to
soak for at least 1 to 2 hours.
8. Clean up spills with care. Cover any spills or broken culture tubes with a 70% ethanol
or 10% bleach solution; then cover with paper towels. After allowing the spill to sit with
the disinfectant for a short time, carefully clean up and place the materials in a biohazard
autoclave bag to be autoclaved. Wash the area again with disinfectant. Never pick up
glass fragments with your fingers or stick your fingers into the culture itself; instead, use
a brush and dustpan. If working with animal or plant pathogens, keep the area clear and
notify your instructor.
3 Declaration
I whose name is mentioned below, declare with my signature that I have read and well understood
the laboratory safety rules and regulations.
Name of student ………………………..

Date ……………………………

RULES

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Addis Ababa Science and Technology university

college Biological and chemical engineering

Seble k. & Afewerk A.

2 General Safety Rules and Procedures

4. Work areas/surfaces must be disinfected before and after use.

8. Hands must be washed before leaving the laboratory.

ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY SAFETY SEBLE K. & AFEWERK A.

14. Do not pour chemicals down the sink.

16. Do not pour bio hazardous fluids down the sink.

26. Use appropriate universal precautions with all biological fluids.

ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY SAFETY SEBLE K. & AFEWERK A.

2.1 Safe Practices for the Microbiology Laboratory

1. Treat all microorganisms as potential pathogens. While the majority of

ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY SAFETY SEBLE K. & AFEWERK A.

Name of student ………………………..

ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY SAFETY SEBLE K. & AFEWERK A.

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