Laboratory Safety
GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE
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Laboratory coats must be worn at all times in laboratories. They should be
removed before leaving the laboratory.
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Other Personal Protective Equipment should be used as appropriate. E.g.
gloves, eye/face protection and facemasks. These items should be removed
before leaving the laboratory.
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No eating, smoking, drinking or application of cosmetics is permitted in
laboratories.
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No pipetting by mouth is permitted.
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Chemicals and reagents must be stored in suitable, clearly labelled, robust
and well-sealed containers.
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Cultures and samples must be stored in suitable, clearly labelled, containers
and disposed of as soon as they are finished with.
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The work area should be kept clean, tidy and free of clutter.
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All waste must be disposed of in the appropriate manner.
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Materials and procedures must be in place to deal with accidental spillages.
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All laboratory members should know the location of fire alarm points, fire
extinguishers and first aid kits and also the emergency escape routes and
emergency contact numbers.
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Wash your hands before leaving the laboratory.
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The Laboratory should have a Safety File containing a Safety Handbook,
University Codes of Practice, Risk assessments etc as outlined in the
Safety Handbook.
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All accidents and incidents must be reported to the DSA
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Winchester bottles should always be carried in Winchester Carriers
and not held by their necks.
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Centrifuges: Never open the lid until the centrifuge has stopped. If a
tube breaks whilst spinning, the head should be removed and soaked in
suitable disinfectant, then cleaned and dried.
DISPOSAL OF LABORATORY WASTE (UNDER REVIEW)
Hospital :
University :
Paper and cardboard boxes etc. Paper and other household type
waste put into the black bags for removal by cleaning staff. Boxes etc
put at bottom of stairwell for removal by cleaners.
Glassware, media bottles (eg Gibco & Sigma media bottles) can be
boxed and then placed in a black plastic bag and labelled “Unbroken
non-clinical glass” for removal by cleaning staff. Bottles from
Pathology dept placed in enamel buckets for transfer to University to
be autoclaved and re-used. Large pieces of broken glass placed in
separate enamel bucket for transfer to University for autoclaving and
disposal or Cin Bins.
Laboratory plastic ware to be placed in orange plastic bags
(volumetric pipettes placed in large Cin Bins for safe disposal). When
bag is 2/3 full it should be tied up, labelled "Dept of Ophthalmology
labs" and left by the stairwell for removal by cleaning staff.
Needles, sharps small broken glass should be placed in Cin Bin for
disposal
Hazardous Chemical Waste see University Code of Practice, DSA
Paper and laboratory plastic ware placed in separate black plastic
bags for disposal by Dept of Pathology staff.
Glassware , bottles and broken glassware placed in separate enamel
buckets for removal and disposal by dept Pathology staff.
REFRIGERATION
Food and drink must not be stored in the fridges of the laboratories, use separate
fridges in the eating areas
Liquid Nitrogen : the use of liquid Nitrogen has its own hazards:
The temperature of the liquid itself (-196o C), loose fitting gloves and
eye goggles should be worn when transfering from one vessel to
another
Incorrectly sealed ampoules stored in liquid Nitrogen can take in
liquid. After removal to room temperatures these may explode BEWARE.
Use only in a well ventilated area - Real danger of asphyxiation in a
closed space, with no warning
FOOD AND DRINK
Eating or drinking is strictly forbidden in the laboratories of the department. Rooms
are provided at Hospital and University sites for taking of refreshments.
Laboratory coats are not to be worn in an eating area
Quantities of Solvents in Laboratories
DO NOT HOARD FLAMMABLE SOLVENTS! Store only a working minimum in the
laboratory. Larger stocks of flammable solvents should be stored in the solvent store.