OHS026
Safe Work Procedure
Faculty/Division
Medicine
Document number
RELECTROPH.SW
School/ Divisional Unit
nephrology
Initial Issue date
Current version
13-03-2009
1.0
Current Version
Issue date
20-04-2010
Next review date
20-04-2013
The Writing Safe Work Procedures Guideline (OHS027) should be consulted to assist
in the completion of this form.
Safe Work Procedure Title and basic
description
Title:
Set up Electrophoresis
Description:
Use to electrophoresis to run gels with DNA, RNA and protein
Associated risk assessment title and location: RA agarose electrophoresis for DNA and RNA, RA
waste management and RA working with electrical equipments
Describe
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the activity or process
Place gel into the gel tank of the electrophoresis, take the comb out and add appropriate
amount of running buffer solution to cover the gel.
DNA and protein gels can be carried out on the bench top. RNA gels must be carried out
the fume-hood as they contain formaldehyde.
Load sample into the lanes.
Put the lid on the gel tank. Always remember that sample lanes close to negative (BLACK)
when doing DNA and RNA gel. Make red connect to red and black connect to black when doing
protein gel and for transfer membrane.
Switch on machine, select voltage, current and time required.
Press start to run the gel. Press stop and then take the gel out off the tank when the gel
run has finished.
Switch off the machine when the work done.
Clean up the tank with detergent and then water when finished.
List all resources required including
plant, chemicals, personal protective
clothing and equipment, etc
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Lab gown, safety glasses, disposable gloves, closed shoes
Samples, buffer, marker, loading dye, agarose
Pipettes, tips, tank, comb
Ethidium bromide for DNA and RNA gel, formaldehyde for RNA gels
Electrophoresis
List potential hazards and risk controls
including specific precautions required
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Potential chemical hazardous – for chemicals, check MSDS, Always wear suitable PPE, clean
up all spills of chemicals immediately. Always wear double and change gloves immediately
after finished when handling ethidium bromide. Use fume cupboard to handle formaldehyde
and to run RNA gel
Potential electrical hazard – do annual inspection of electrical equipment and ensure
inspection tag is current
Sample can be contaminated or infectious – training is required if handling human sample
and all human samples treated as infectious. Wipe out all contaminations with 70%
alcohol.
Dispose all wastes in biological and chemical waste.
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Page 1 of 2
Safe Work Procedure
Date Effective: 15.5.2010
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 15.5.2010
List emergency shutdown instructions
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Electrophoresis has “OFF” switch that can be used in emergency.
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Shut all electrical equipment off at power point in case of emergency.
List clean up and waste disposal
requirements
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Wipe down all spills with 70% alcohol or detergent and then water
Dispose all chemical waste in chemical waste bin
Dispose all tubes, tip gloves in biological waste
List legislation, standards and codes of
practice used in the development of the
SWP
NSW OHS Act 2000
NSW OHS Regulation 2001
Australia Dangerous Goods Code
Code of Practice for the Labelling of Workplace Substances
AS/NZS 2243.2:2006. Safety in laboratories. Part 2: Chemical aspects
Australian Standard AS2243.6-1990. Safety in laboratories. Part 6: Mechanical Aspects.
Australian Standard AS2243.7-1991. Safety in laboratories. Part 7: Electrical Aspects.
AS/NZS 2161.1:2000 Occupational Protective Gloves – Selection, Use and Maintenance
Safe Work Procedure Form (OHS026)
UNSW Hazardous Waste Disposal Procedure
Supervisory approval, training, and review
Supervisor: P PEAKE
Signature:
Plant custodian:
Signature
List competency required – qualifications, certificates, licensing, training - e.g. course or
instruction:
SWP review date: 20-04-
2013
Responsibility for SWP review:
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Page 2 of 2
Safe Work Procedure
Date Effective: 15.5.2010
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 15.5.2010