Biological Laboratory Safety
Salmonella Infec,ons and Microbiology Lab A study linked Salmonella infec,ons to clinical and teaching microbiology laboratories Pa,ents (60%) were significantly more likely than control persons (2%) to report exposure to a microbiology laboratory in the week before illness began Cell phones and contaminated lab coats were most likely to become contaminated in the lab CDC.com/salmonella/typhimurium-laboratory/042711/index.html, 2012
Salmonella Infec,ons and Microbiology Lab CDC.com/salmonella/typhimurium-laboratory/042711/index.html, 2012
REHS Rutgers Environmental Health and Safety REHS supports Rutgers University by providing comprehensive and professional health, safety and environmental services to the University community. Protect Rutgers employees, students and visitors. REHS ensures compliance with government regulations
Regulatory Agencies The safety standards and practices described here have been developed and are regulated by government agencies including CDC (Centers for Disease Control) NIH (National Institutes of Health) WHO (World Health Organization) OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
Lab Safety Safe Laboratory Practices Lab coats at ALL TIMES! Safety glasses Proper footwear Hair back No food or drink in the laboratory No gum chewing No application of lipstick or lipbalm NO CELL PHONES!
Biohazard An agent of biological origin that can cause disease in humans Microorganism Toxin Allergen
Biosafety The combined use of laboratory practices, laboratory facilities and safety equipment to work with potentially infectious microorganisms.
Why use biosafety practices? To protect: Workers/Students Products/Experimental results Environment/Laboratory classroom
Biosafety Levels BL-1: agents are not known to cause disease BL-2: agents are associated with human disease BL-3: agents are associated with human disease and are potentially transmitted as aerosols BL-4: agents of life threatening nature
Biosafety Level 1 (BL-1) Use BL-1 when working with: Well characterized agents Agents that are not known to cause disease in health humans Agents that are of minimal hazard to lab personnel and the environment ALL ORGANISMS USED IN GENERAL MICRO ARE LEVEL 1 AGENTS Examples of BL-1 Agents: E. coli JM109, DH5a Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Biosafety Level 1 (BL-1) Standard Work Practices Use mechanical pipetting devices Wash hands frequently Minimize splashes and aerosols Decontaminate work surfaces daily Handle wastes properly Maintain insect and rodent control program
Biosafety Level 2 (BL-2) Use BL-2 practices when working with: Agents of moderate potential hazard to personnel and the environment Examples of BL-2 agents: Human blood or body fluids E. coli 0157:H7 Clostridium botulinum Retroviral vectors Human cells in cell culture
Biosafety Level 2 (BL-2) Adequate illumination Eyewash facility Negative air pressure Autoclave available Biological safety cabinet Lab must be separated from public areas
Biosafety Cabinets (BSCs) Provide product, personal and environmental protection. Various classes of BSCs are available Amount of air exhausted Amount of employee protection
Decontamination Methods Heat: steam heat, dry heat, incineration Chemical: bleach, ethanol, hydrogen peroxide, ethylene oxide, paraformaldehyde Radiation
Biological Waste BL-1 Waste Solids Collect and package in clear autoclave bags Autoclave to sterilize Dispose of in regular trash dumpster (as long as no chemical or radioactive contaminants are present) Liquids Collect in containers with lids Autoclave or treat with 10% bleach to sterilize Dispose of down the drain (as long as no chemical or radioactive contaminants are present)
Biological Waste Special Practices Place used slides and coverslips in sharps containers, never in any other receptacle. Sharps containers are: Red in color Marked with the biohazard symbol Puncture resistant Leak proof
Biosafety and REHS Protocol Approval REHS provisionally approves experimental protocols. All protocols must be approved if they involve: recombinant DNA, non-recombinant human, animal or plant pathogens, human cell culture, human tissue/blood experiments Laboratory inspections RU Biosafety Committee provides final approval to protocols
Microbiology Lab Food and Microbiology Lab don t mix. Keep your food outside the laboratory environment.
Be careful what you bring home.
BIOSAFETY: SAFE LAB PRACTICES GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY 689:390 I have viewed the course presentation on safe laboratory practices and I agree to follow the rules and procedures set forth. I understand that if I do not hand in this agreement before the first lab, my participation in the microbiology laboratory may be denied. Print Name Signature Date