Local Rules / Working Practices
Work Activities involving Hazard Group 1
Microorganisms at Containment Level 1
The following represents a basic set of local rules or working practices based on the
principles of Good Microbial Practice. They must be followed by all workers involved
in activities using non-pathogenic, Hazard Group 1 microorganisms, requiring
Containment Level 1 facilities (includes GM Class 1 (no, negligible risk) GM
activities). The local rules outlined below should be modified by each individual
Group to reflect specific details and rules relevant to their laboratory and work
activities. A more detailed, specific set of local rules is also required for higher risk
microbial work activities requiring Containment Level 2 facilities or above.
It is important that all new workers are made familiar with these local rules as
part of the local induction training given to all new workers in the laboratory.
Individual workers must also have access to and adhere to local rules.
Location:
Group:
Biological Agents:
Non-pathogenic biological agents
(Hazard Group 1)
1. Safety Management of Laboratory
 The Group Leader (xxxxxxx) is ultimately responsible for the overall safety
management of all workers in their group and must ensure that these local
rules are enforced
 xxxxxxxx has been delegated responsibility for enforcing these local rules
on a day to day basis within the laboratory on behalf of the Group Leader
2. Training
 All new workers to the laboratory must receive instruction on the local
rules / good microbial practices that must be followed as part of their local
induction training
 All workers to receive training on experimental procedures, including safe
use of any equipment to be used
 All workers to be given appropriate supervision. This will largely depend
on the experience and knowledge of each individual.
3.
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General Rules
A laboratory coat must be worn whilst working in the laboratory area
Laboratory coats should be kept or stored separately in the laboratory area
Laboratory coats should be inspected and laundered at regular intervals
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Eye protection (goggles or safety glasses) should be worn if splashing is
likely to occur
All workers in the laboratory should cover cuts and abrasions with
waterproof dressings
No eating or drinking in the laboratory area
No application of cosmetics
No storage of food for human consumption
No mouth pipetting
All procedures must be performed so as to minimise the production of
aerosols
Good aseptic technique should be practiced when handling
microorganisms to avoid cross-contamination
4. Access to Laboratory
 Limit access to the laboratory to laboratory staff and other authorised
persons to minimise the number of people likely to come into contact with
(and spread) any contamination
 Keep the laboratory door closed (the sign restricting access is then clearly
visible and people are less likely to wander in)
5. Hygiene
 Hands must be washed in the hand-wash basin after removal of the
laboratory coat and before vacating the laboratory area
 Standard handwash products are suitable for this and there is no need to
use specialist antimicrobial products. Single use paper towels should be
available for use.
 Hands must be disinfected or washed immediately when contamination is
suspected
6. Waste Disposal
N.B.: add specific local information if required
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All waste materials must be made safe by autoclaving or disinfection
before disposal:
Solid Waste
 Contaminated solid waste must be disposed of in double autoclave bags,
before collection and autoclave treatment
 Autoclave bags must not be over filled
 Autoclave bags should not be used for general safe waste (black bin bags
should be used for general safe waste)
 Autoclave bags must not contain any sharps, including cocktail sticks
 Autoclave bags must be labelled with lab. Group
 Autoclave bags must be transported to the central autoclave facility (F0) in
robust containers to avoid leakage e.g. leakproof trolleys
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Liquid Waste
 Liquid waste must either be treated with an appropriate disinfectant or
autoclaved, before disposal down the sink
7. Disinfection
N.B.: add specific local information if required
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Effective disinfectants must be available for routine disinfection and
immediate use in the event of spillage (see below)
Work surfaces should be regularly cleaned with an appropriate disinfectant
All surfaces should be disinfected before any maintenance staff are
permitted to work in the area
All specimen containers, glassware and used equipment should be
immersed in a suitable disinfectant before cleaning or disposal
Used laboratory glassware and other materials awaiting sterilisation must
be stored in a safe manner.
Pipettes, if placed in disinfectant, must be totally immersed
8. Spillages
 Effective disinfectants should be available for immediate use in the event
of spillage
 Spillages should be dealt with immediately by mopping up with disposable
paper towel disposal as autoclave waste and treatment
9. Storage
N.B.: add specific local information about storage of e.g. stock cultures, if required
10. Transport
N.B.: add specific local information if required
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Liquid cultures must be transported in leakproof containers between
laboratory facilities
11. Testing and Maintenance of Equipment
N.B.: add specific local information if required
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All equipment must be maintained and tested as appropriate
12. Accidents / Incidents
 All accidents and incidents must be immediately reported to and recorded
by the person responsible for the work
13. Other relevant documents / SOPs
N.B.: add specific local information if required
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