cardiff school of biosciences laboratory safety rules

Cardiff School of BiosciencesCardiff School of Biosciences

Laboratory Safety rulesLaboratory Safety rules

IntroductionIntroduction

During your time at Cardiff University, you will take part in numerous Laboratory classes, and in your Final year, may conduct a Lab project of your own

As such, it is essential that you understand the basic guidelines that are in place to ensure the safety of yourself, and of others.

IntroductionIntroduction

Please note that before you attend your first Lab class, you are required to read this presentation in full & pass an online assessment.

This can be found in Learn Central

You have 2 attempts to pass this assessment. If you do not pass after the second attempt, you will need to meet with a Safety Representative to discuss safety areas that you are unsure of.

Fire Alarms and Exit proceduresFire Alarms and Exit procedures

In the case of a Fire Alarm, please ensure that you make your way to a Fire Exit as swiftly (but safely) as possible. You will be advised of the location of Fire Exits and Egress (exit) routes at the start of your class.

Do not stop to gather your possessions, wait for your friend etc,.

Fire Alarms and Exit proceduresFire Alarms and Exit procedures

If you were working with Bunsen burners or Hotplates, please switch off these items before exiting the Lab.

If you are aware of a fire in the immediate area, alert a member of Staff and activate one of the ‘Break Glass’ alarms.

Do not attempt to tackle a fire on your own.

General Lab Safety rules General Lab Safety rules

Never enter the Lab unless instructed to do so

Upon entering the Lab, ensure that your bags, coats, umbrellas, and all other non-essential items, are safely stored in the Coat room area at the front of the Lab

Do not touch any chemicals or materials in the Lab until instructed to do so!

General Lab Safety rulesGeneral Lab Safety rules

Do not put anything into or near your mouth when in the Lab ie, no food or drink, do not chew pen ends, no mobile phones etc,. Keep your hands away from your face!

Eating and drinking are absolutely

prohibited.

No mobile phones


Listen to and read instructions very carefully. If you are unsure of a procedure or how to use an item of equipment, ask!

Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times in the Lab. No horseplay or playing practical jokes.

Ensure that you are aware of the location of Emergency Fire Exits and First Aid provisions


You are prohibited from removing any items from the Lab unless you have the written consent of a member of the Technical staff.

Whilst working, ensure that you observe good housekeeping practice. Keep your work area clean and uncluttered, and ensure that any spills/breakages are reported immediately to a member of staff.


If a Risk Assessment for the class is available online, please ensure you read it thoroughly before entering the Lab

Avoid wearing open-toed shoes or large dangly jewellery. Tie long hair back please.

A Risk Assessment is a document written by the Academic staff leading the class, that outlines the hazards that may be present in the Lab, and details the measures in place to ensure your safety.


At the end of your class, please clear up your work area. Listen to instructions regarding the disposal of items from Staff members.

Ensure that Bunsen burners and electrical items are switched off before leaving the Lab

Always wash your hands thoroughly before leaving the Lab! There is always a sink nearby

Type of waste Disposal method

Uncontaminated waste ie, paper, pencil shavings

General waste black bin

Contaminated waste ie, pipette tips, petri dishes, biohazards

Biohazard bagsThese are clear bags that can be found on the bench tops.

Used glassware Labelled boxes at the front of the Lab

Broken glassware Cardboard glass boxes

Sharps ie, blades, disposable scalpels

Yellow sharps bin

Chemical waste ie, Acetone waste

Pour chemical into a labelled bottle that has been placed in a Fume Hood

Please be aware that different types of waste will require different means of disposal:DisposalDisposal

DisposalDisposal

Sharps box Contaminated / dirty glassware

Glass discard pot for used microscope slidesBiohazardous

waste bags

Glassware safetyGlassware safety

Glassware that is chipped or cracked should not be used. Contact a member of staff for a replacement item.

If an item breaks during a class, please tell a staff member immediately. Do not attempt to clean it up yourselves.

Used glass microscope slides must be placed in the discard pots on your bench, not in the Biohazard bags!

Glassware safetyGlassware safety

When pouring liquids into glassware, ensure that the container that you are filling is stabile on the bench top, and not close to the bench edge.

Do not put hot glassware into water, as rapid cooling may cause the glassware to shatter.

Never put glassware, broken or intact, into general waste or biohazard bins. Broken glassware must be disposed of in designated glass boxes

Chemical safetyChemical safety

Wear appropriate Protective equipment ie, gloves, lab coat, goggles, as instructed by Staff members and/or your written protocol.

Never mix chemicals together unless instructed to do so.Do not deviate from the protocol that you have been provided with ie, add chemicals to each other only in the manner described.


Never pour water into acids! When diluting strong acids or bases, always ensure that you add the acid/base to water very slowly.

Never taste any chemicals or other materials in the Lab!


Do not return used chemicals to the bottles they originated from. Follow instructions from Staff regarding disposal procedures.

Ensure that all solutions you prepare are labelled clearly and accurately.

After handling chemicals, ensure that you wash your hands thoroughly.

Fire / Heating safetyFire / Heating safety

When working with Bunsen burners, please ensure that you have tied long hair back, and have secured any loose clothing.

Only turn on the gas supply to a Bunsen burner when you are ready to light it.

Never leave a Bunsen burner or Hotplate unattended.

To gas outlet

Barrel

To gas outlet


To light a Bunsen burner:- attach the rubber tubing to one of the gas taps on the bench- close the air vent on the bottom of the bunsen burner by turning the collar- turn the gas tap to the ‘ON’ position- use a Safety / spark lighter to light the gas- if it does not light within a few seconds, switch the gas off, and

for the smell of gas to go before attempting to light it again.- for a blue flame (needed when carrying out Aseptic technique), turn the

collar at the base of the burner to open the air vent.


When you are not working with the flame, ensure that you adjust the air supply valve to give an Orange flame – an Orange flame is more visible than a blue flame.

Use tongs and/or protective gloves when handling hot objects


Never reach across a Bunsen burner

When heating chemicals in a test tube, ensure that the open end of the tube is facing away from people.

Biohazard safetyBiohazard safety

You will be working with Biohazardous materials ie, Bacterial and Fungal cultures whilst in the Labs. Please pay close attention to all instructions regarding the handling and disposal of these materials.

To transfer bacterial cultures, you will be using aseptic (sterile) technique, working under a Bunsen flame and using equipment such as Inoculating loops.


This diagram illustrates a standard Microbiological technique that you will be learning and using on many occasions during Microbiology classes.


Please note that the inoculating loop must be flamed before and immediately after their use to transfer biological material.

Biohazard spillages need to be cleaned with a designated Spill kit. Ask a member of Staff for assistance.

Lab coats must always be worn, and must be fully buttoned at all times.


Do not pour biohazardous waste down the sink or place it in the general waste bins.

Please place contaminated plastic waste items and small volumes of liquid waste into Biohazard

waste bags that are provided.


Place used glass items in the boxes that will be provided at the front of the Lab.

Glass slides must be placed in the ‘Glass Discard Pots’ that are on your bench.

Wash your hands before leaving the Lab!


Sharps box Contaminated / dirty glassware

Glass discard pot for used microscope slidesBiohazardous

waste bags

Electrical safetyElectrical safety

Be sure that your hands and bench area are dry before using electrical equipment.

Do not place any items into the electrical sockets, apart from obviously the plugs!

Report any damage to electrical sockets or equipment immediately, and cease using the items.

Electrical safetyElectrical safety

Unplug all electrical equipment that you have used at the end of the class, unless instructed otherwise.

Do not tamper with the equipment ie, do not try to fix problems yourself. Please ask a staff member for another piece of equipment.

If you require any help or advice regarding Safety, Health and Environment then

please contact:

[email protected]

cardiff school of biosciences laboratory safety rules

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