Safety in Microbiological Laboratories

Submitted to:
MS SAJIDA RASHEED
Submitted by:
FIZZA KHALID
Roll No:
BSFST-1037
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD&TECHNOLOGY
SEM:2ND
 INTRODUCTION
• Safety in microbiological laboratories encompasses the set of
practices, procedures, and protocols aimed at minimizing risks
associated with handling microorganisms. This includes
ensuring
• the protection of laboratory personnel
• and maintaining the integrity of research outcomes.
• Safety is the state of being certain that adverse effects will not
be caused by some agents under any condition
• preventing the spread of infectious agents
• Lab safety is to make certain that no adverse effect will be
cause by any potential hazard or agent in the lab.
 Why it is Nessesary?
• Persons who work in a microbiology lab may handle infectious agents in
additional to other hazards such as chemicals and radioactive materials.
• In laboratories, one may encounter a wide array of safety hazards,
including chemicals, electrical equipment, and biohazardous materials.
Hence it is vital to understand the importance of laboratory safety. If
something goes awry, more than just testing and research project
schedules can be affected
• Why is microbiology important in the laboratory?
The microbiology laboratory plays an important role in the
surveillance, treatment, control and prevention of nosocomial infections. The
microbiologist is a permanent and active member of the infection control
committee (ICC) and the antimicrobial stewardship group (ASG).
 Safety rules
• Safe Lab Practices
• No Food or Drink.
• Wear Your PPE and Proper Lab Attire.
• Good Hygiene.
• Use Proper Storage Containers.
• Label Your Work Space.
• Don't Work Alone.
• Stay Focused and Aware of Your Surroundings.
• Participate in Safety Exercises.
• Follow the instructions. ...
• Keep snacks out of the lab. ...
• Don't sniff the chemicals. ...
• Dispose of waste properly. ...
• Identify safety equipment. ...
• Think safety first. ...
• Dress for the lab. ...
Safety in microbiological laboratories is of utmost importance due to the potential
risks associated with handling microorganisms. Here are some key aspects of
safety in microbiological laboratories:
• Training and Education: All personnel working in microbiological
laboratories should receive thorough training in laboratory safety protocols,
including proper handling techniques, use of personal protective equipment
(PPE), and emergency procedures.
• Risk Assessment: Before conducting any experiments,
researchers should perform a risk assessment to identify
potential hazards and implement appropriate safety
measures to mitigate risks.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): This includes items such as lab coats,
gloves, safety goggles, and face masks. PPE helps protect laboratory
personnel from exposure to microorganisms and hazardous materials.

• Engineering Controls: Laboratories should be equipped with

appropriate engineering controls, such as biological safety
cabinets (BSCs) and fume hoods, to contain and control the
spread of microorganisms and hazardous materials.
• Good Laboratory Practices: Adhering to good laboratory practices, such as
maintaining cleanliness, proper waste disposal, and decontamination
procedures, helps minimize the risk of contamination and exposure.
• Biological Safety Levels (BSL): Laboratories should operate at appropriate
biosafety levels based on the types of microorganisms being handled and the
associated risks. Biosafety levels range from BSL-1 (lowest risk) to BSL-4
(highest risk).
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Laboratories should have written
SOPs for all procedures involving microorganisms, detailing the necessary
safety precautions and steps to follow.
• Emergency Preparedness: Personnel should be trained in emergency
procedures, including how to respond to spills, accidents, and incidents of
exposure. Laboratories should have appropriate emergency response plans in
place.
• Security: Access to microbiological laboratories should be restricted to
authorized personnel only. Laboratories should have measures in place to
prevent unauthorized access and secure hazardous materials.
 BIOSAFETY GUIDLINES
 BSL-1: the microbes there are not known to consistently cause disease in
healthy adults and present minimal potential hazard to laboratorians and the
environment. An example of a microbe that is typically worked with at a BSL-1
is a nonpathogenic strain of E. coli.
 BSL–2. This biosafety level covers laboratories that work with agents associated
with human diseases (i.e. pathogenic or infections organisms) that pose a
moderate health hazard.
 Biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) is applicable to clinical, diagnostic, teaching, research,
or production facilities where work is performed with agents that may cause
serious or potentially lethal disease through inhalation, to the personnel, and
may contaminate the environment.
 The microbes in a BSL-4 lab are dangerous and exotic, posing a high risk of
aerosol-transmitted infections. Infections caused by these microbes are
frequently fatal and without treatment or vaccines. Two examples of microbes
worked with in a BSL-4 laboratory include Ebola and Marburg viruses.
 ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE
Aseptic technique is an element of standard precautions. Aseptic
technique is a set of practices that protects patients from
healthcare-associated infections and protects healthcare workers
from contact with blood, body fluid and body tissue.
• Cleaning and/or disinfection of equipment and patient prior to procedure(s)
• Establishing an aseptic field.
• Use of sterile equipment.
• Maintenance of the aseptic field, including protecting the key sites and key
parts.
• Use of a non-touch technique.
 STRELIZATION METHODS
Physical method i.e., use of heat, filters, radiation Chemical
method i.e., by use of chemicals Heat sterilization a. Dry heat
sterilization. Inoculation loops or needle are sterilized by heating
to 'red' in Bunsen burner or spirit lamp flame.
The methods are steam
• sterilization,
• radiation sterilization,
• dry heat sterilization,
• sterilization by filtration, gas sterilization
(such as ethylene oxide sterilization),
• vapor sterilization,
• and liquid sterilization.
 Cleaning up
 Preparation: began by donning the necessary personal
protective equipment (PPE) – gloves, goggles, lab coat, and a
face mask – to ensure her safety throughout the cleaning
process. Safety always came first in the lab.

 Clearing and Organizing: started by clearing the lab benches of any

clutter – discarded pipette tips, empty petri dishes, and used gloves. S
placed them in the designated waste bins for proper disposal. Next,
organized the remaining equipment and reagents, ensuring
everything was neatly arranged and easily accessible for the
researchers.

 Surface Cleaning: Armed with a bottle of disinfectant spray and a roll of

paper towels, meticulously wiped down all surfaces, including lab
benches, equipment, and storage cabinets. paid special attention to high-
touch areas such as doorknobs, light switches, and computer keyboards,
where germs could easily spread.
  Equipment Maintenance: moved on to the task of cleaning and
maintaining the laboratory equipment. carefully disassembled
pipettes and centrifuges, cleaning each component thoroughly to
remove any residue or contaminants. For larger equipment, such
as incubators and autoclaves, followed the manufacturer's
instructions for proper cleaning and disinfection.

 Waste Management: Proper waste disposal was essential for

maintaining a clean and safe laboratory environment. segregated
waste into different categories – biohazardous, chemical, and general
waste – and disposed of them according to the lab's protocols and
regulations. Sharps were collected in puncture-proof containers,
while chemical waste was labeled and stored in designated areas for
proper disposal
 general protective procedure
Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE): Handling Chemicals:
• Lab Coat: Wear a lab coat or Read Labels: Always read and
protective clothing to shield skin understand the labels on chemical
and clothing from spills and containers before use.
splashes. Use Fume Hoods: Perform
• Safety Goggles: Protect eyes chemical reactions or handling of
from chemical splashes, flying volatile substances inside a fume
debris, or other hazards.
hood to minimize exposure to
• Gloves: Use appropriate gloves
(e.g., latex, nitrile) to prevent skin
fumes.
contact with hazardous Avoid Pipetting by Mouth: Never
materials. pipette by mouth; always use
• Closed-toe Shoes: Wear closed- mechanical pipetting devices to
toe shoes to protect feet from avoid ingestion of hazardous
spills, falling objects, or sharp substances
items.
• Additional PPE: Depending on
the task and hazards involved,
additional PPE such as face
shields, respirators, or aprons
may be required.
 EMERGENCY PROCEDURE
 One the 1st day, familiraize yourself with location of eye wash
station,safety shower, the campus phone and fire extinguisher

if a culture or Chemicals are supplied in or near you or

your partners I immediately go to the eye station

 in a special emergency situations turn off gas Jet first

then evaluate the building as directed by your lab
instructor

 for large spills on your body or if caustic Chemicals are

spilt on you proceed immediately to the safety shower
12 Safe Practices for the Microbiology
Laboratory
1. Treat all microorganisms as potential pathogens
2. Maintain a curated culture collection
3. Obtain fresh stock cultures of microorganisms annually.
4. Sterilize equipment and materials.
5. Disinfect work areas before and after use
6. Wear protection.
7. Wash your hands.
8. Know emergency exit routes.
9. Avoid skin and eye contact with chemicals.
10.Minimize all chemical exposures.
11.No horseplay will be tolerated.
12.Assume that all chemicals of unknown toxicity are highly toxic.
 conclusion
In conclusion, safety in microbiology laboratories is paramount to
protect personnel, prevent accidents, and maintain the integrity of
research. Microbiology labs often deal with potentially hazardous
materials, including pathogenic microorganisms and biohazardous
agents, making adherence to strict safety protocols essential. By
implementing comprehensive safety measures and fostering a
culture of safety, microbiology labs can mitigate risks and create a
secure working environment for all personnel involved.