MLAB 2479 Molecular Diagnostics Techniques
Laboratory 1: Laboratory Safety
Points: 20
Objectives
1. List five behaviors which are not allowed in the student laboratory.
2. Identify the area in the laboratory where personal belongings can be safely stored.
3. Demonstrate the following of laboratory safety guidelines by
a. Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment at appropriate times.
b. Keeping work area tidy.
c. Disinfecting bench tops when necessary.
d. Following guidelines to prevent a hazardous environment.
e. Disposing of laboratory waste and broken glass into appropriate containers.
f. Demonstrating knowledge of chemical hazards by identifying the hazards associated with laboratory
chemicals according to the NFPA system.
g. Demonstrating knowledge of the location of the safety shower, eye wash station and fire extinguisher.
h. Washing hands at appropriate times.
i. Inspecting equipment for electrical hazards.
4. State the solution used to disinfect the work area.
5. Describe the procedure for washing laboratory glassware.
6. Given a chemical label determine the levels of hazard associated with that chemical.
7. Identify the important information found in a material safety data sheet.
8. State the purpose of a Pre-Lab report.
Discussion
Laboratory safety in the molecular laboratory follows the same routine guidelines as a clinical laboratory plus some
additional considerations.
Lab conduct
 You shall follow all instructions in the laboratory procedure as well as specific instructions provided by your
instructor.
 You must store backpacks, coats, food and drink in the cabinet indicated by your instructor.
 Only bring required items into the laboratory.
 Report broken glass or chemical spills to your instructor immediately.
 DO NOT
o Horse around or perform unauthorized experiments.
o Eat, drink or chew (tobacco or gum) in the laboratory.
o Bring drinks or food (even in closed containers) into the laboratory area.
o Pipette by mouth.
o Taste chemicals or directly smell chemical fumes.
Dress code and personal protective equipment (PPE)
 While in the lab you must wear closed-toed shoes. No exceptions. If you wear sandals to the lab, you will be
asked to leave.
 A disposable lab coat will be provided and must be worn, buttoned from top to bottom, during all laboratory
activities.
 Hair longer than shoulder length must be tied back. Secure hair that falls over eyes.
 Gloves must be worn during laboratory procedures.
 Wash your hands after glove removal and any time they are contaminated with patient samples.
 Remove PPE and wash hands any time you must leave the laboratory.
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General Laboratory Safety
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Keep your work surface tidy. Do not place anything on your bench except the lab procedure, a pen and the
materials needed to perform the activity. An organized worker is a more efficient worker.
Come prepared to class and do not rush through the lab exercises. Look over the laboratory procedure carefully
so that you can come to class prepared to perform the work and take the necessary time to do the labs correctly.
Create a “Pre-Lab”, noting supplies and reagents required for the procedure to be performed. Write down
questions you may have about specific steps. These may or may not be answered during the lab discussion, if
they are not be sure to ask them. Be sure you know what you are supposed to be doing—then plan your actions
and remain organized while carrying them out. Hurrying or blindly following a protocol leads to carelessness,
which leads to accidents.
Understand and follow the protocol. Prepare a pre-lab before starting the lab, and while at work in class,
carefully review the SOPs. Check with your lab partner(s) or instructor to make sure everyone is clear on the
protocol. If you have any doubt about proper safe procedure in a specific instance, ask your instructor or
supervisor.
Respect one another’s equipment. No one likes a lab thief who steals another’s pipette or reagents. When you
are finished with a piece of equipment or a reagent, return it immediately so that others may have their turn.
Avoid exposure to biohazardous tissues. Blood and body fluids must be handled with care and Standard
Precautions must be followed at all times. Wear gloves to protect yourself at all times, and change them when
appropriate. Take care not to stick or cut yourself while working in a molecular lab.
Avoid creating aerosols. Use filter tips on micropipettes when transferring fluids that have been exposed to
infectious agents. Use screw-top lids to store fluids that have been exposed to blood or body fluids—tube
stoppers create aerosols when you pop the lids open. If you must open a tube stopper, first centrifuge the tube
to remove liquids along the lid before opening it. Aerosols can cause respiratory infections and can
contaminate an entire lab through the ventilation system.
Design your laboratory lay-out to sequester work that entails biohazards to a specified region or room so that
any unintended releases of infectious agents can be easily contained and disinfected.
Decontaminate work areas on a routine basis. Wipe down benches and equipment that are used during
procedures that handle blood or body fluids with a disinfectant or bleach.
Dispose of biohazardous tissues appropriately. Dispose of blood and body fluids in a biohazardous container.
Lab Hygiene
 You must clean up your individual area and equipment as well as community work areas and equipment (e.g.,
sinks, balances) when they become soiled and at the end of day.
 You must put lids back on bottles immediately after use.
 Dispose of chemicals and waste as directed by the instructor.
 Always assume that chemicals used in lab are corrosive or irritating. Any time chemicals come in contact with
bare skin wash the affected area immediately.
Waste Disposal
 Biohazardous material must be discarded into containers with the biohazard label. DO NOT place nonbiohazardous materials into these containers as disposal of this waste is extremely expensive.
 Items that can be placed in regular trash include: gloves, kimwipes (even if contaminated with blood or
body/fluids), paper towels used to wipe down bench top, paper, etc. When in doubt ask your instructor.
 Chemical waste – ask your instructor for the appropriate method of disposal.
Glassware
1. Use glass disposal box to dispose of glass items such as capillary tubes, Pasteur pipettes and broken glassware.
Never throw glass items into the regular trash.
2. Discard broken or cracked glassware. Never use broken or cracked glassware. Discard in the glass disposal
box and inform the instructor.
3. Report cuts immediately to the instructor All cuts must be inspected and treated especially if there is blood.
4. Wash non-disposable glassware in warm soapy water, rinse 3 times with distilled water and place in drain
board.
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Chemical Hazards
1. Review Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS sheets). Know the location of the MSDS sheets in the lab.
Review the MSDS sheets associated with the chemicals you are using. You can also find MSDS reports online
by searching for “MSDS”. If one site doesn’t have the chemical you are interested in listed, try another site.
There is no one standards MSDS for each chemical, so if you are not finding specific information from an
MSDS report that you have found, go online to search at another site for a different report until you have found
it.
2. Wear personal safety gear Wear gloves and goggles when handling potentially hazardous chemicals. Wearing
goggles is especially important if you wear contact lenses.
3. Use the fume hood for handling potentially hazardous and volatile liquids and do not work with flammables
around an open flame. Check the MSDS sheet if you are unsure about using a chemical.
4. Report spills immediately to your instructor. Know the location of the clean up station and how to use it.
5. Label all containers. If you or anyone else finds an unlabeled container in the laboratory, it will be disposed of
immediately as a hazardous waste. Your label should include the following information:
 the chemical substance and its concentration
 the date the solution was prepared
 toxicity information, if it is hazardous
 the initials of the person who prepared the solution
6. Dispose chemicals correctly Some of the chemicals you will be using pose a threat to our environment if they
end up in the water supply. Follow any special instructions for chemical disposal given in your lab instructions.
If you are unsure of how to dispose of a specific chemical, ask your instructor or look up the MSDS sheet.
7. IMPORTANT:
a. If a chemical gets in your eyes go to the eyewash station immediately and rinse for 5 minutes.
b. If a corrosive chemical gets on your clothing immediately proceed to safety shower, removing affected
clothing, and rinse for 15 minutes.
Biohazards
1. Wear personal safety gear - Always wear gloves. Wearing a lab coat is recommended but not required.
2. Wash your hands with soap and warm water upon removing gloves or if hands become contaminated with
blood or body fluids.
3. Dispose blood or body fluids into a biohazard container. Not all items contaminated with blood or body fluids
need to go into a biohazard container. Check with your instructor.
4. Clean your lab bench after using with disinfectant or bleach.
Mechanical Hazards
1. Centrifuge Never touch a rapidly moving machine, such as a centrifuge, while it is moving.
Electrical Hazards
1. Gel Electrophoresis equipment poses a serious electrocution risk. When assembling or dissembling the
electrophoresis apparatus, always be sure that it is unplugged. Connect the power supply and turn on the
electrophoresis equipment only under supervision of the instructor.
2. Make sure equipment is in good repair Check for frayed wiring or any other potential electric hazards on any
electrically powered equipment. Do not use if there are any exposed or frayed wires. Report these safety
hazards to your instructor for repair.
3. Keep area around equipment dry. Make sure there is no water around electrically powered equipment before
turning on the power.
Fire Safety
1. Know the location of the fire extinguisher.
2. Know the evacuation route out of the laboratory.
3. Call 223-7999 to report the emergency – DO NOT CALL 911. ACC dispatch must be called as they can
provide a more accurate description of directions to your location.
Labeling
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1. Familiarize yourself with the labeling requirements for chemicals including:
a. Color
b. Type of hazard (e.g., health, reactivity)
c. What the number indicates.
2. If a chemical must be transferred to a smaller container label it with an HMIS label.
3.
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NFPA Health Category Hazard Descriptions
Very short exposure could cause death or major residual injury (e.g., hydrogen cyanide, phosphine, carbon
monoxide, sarin)
Short exposure could cause serious temporary or moderate residual injury (e.g., chlorine gas)
Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual
injury (e.g., ethyl ether)
Exposure would cause irritation with only minor residual injury (e.g., acetone)
Poses no health hazard, no precautions necessary (e.g., water)
NFPA Flammability Category Hazard Descriptions
Will rapidly or completely vaporize at normal atmospheric pressure and temperature, or is readily
dispersed in air and will burn readily (e.g., propane, hydrogen). Flash point below 23°C (73°F)
Liquids and solids that can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions (e.g., gasoline).
Liquids having a Flash point below 23°C (73°F) and having a Boiling point at or above 38°C (100°F) or
having a Flash point between 23°C (73°F) and 38°C (100°F) Must be moderately heated or exposed to
relatively high ambient temperature before ignition can occur (e.g., diesel fuel). Flash point between 38°C
(100°F) and 93°C (200°F)
Must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperature before ignition can occur
(e.g., diesel fuel). Flash point between 38°C (100°F) and 93°C (200°F)
Must be heated before ignition can occur (e.g., mineral oil). Flash point over 93°C (200°F)
Will not burn (e.g., carbon dioxide)
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NFPA Reactivity Category Hazard Descriptions
Readily capable of detonation or explosive decomposition at normal temperatures and pressures (e.g.,
nitroglycerine, Trinitrotoluene)
Capable of detonation or explosive decomposition but requires a strong initiating source, must be heated
under confinement before initiation, reacts explosively with water, or will detonate if severely shocked
(e.g. ammonium nitrate, chlorine trifluoride)
Undergoes violent chemical change at elevated temperatures and pressures, reacts violently with water, or
may form explosive mixtures with water (e.g., white phosphorus, potassium, sodium)
Normally stable, but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures (e.g. propene)
Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water (e.g. helium)
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NFPA Special Category Hazard Descriptions
Oxidizer (e.g., potassium perchlorate, ammonium nitrate, hydrogen peroxide)
Reacts with water in an unusual or dangerous manner (e.g., cesium, sodium, sulfuric acid)
Simple asphyxiant gas. Limited to the following gases: nitrogen, helium, neon, argon, krypton and xenon.
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Procedure
Supplies
1. Scavenger hunt form
2. Pen
Procedure
1. Take your results sheet around the laboratory and provide the information required.
2. You will have 30 minutes.
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Name ______________________________
Date ____________________
MLAB 2479 Molecular Diagnostics Techniques
Laboratory 1: Laboratory Safety
Recording Results
Points:
/20
1. Find a chemical reagent or bottle in the lab and fill in the following information:
a. Name of reagent ______________________________
b. Number of health hazard _______________________
c. Number of reactivity hazard_____________________
d. Number of fire hazard__________________________
e. Number of Other hazard________________________
2. Find a chemical reagent or bottle in the lab and fill in the following information:
a. Name of reagent ______________________________
b. Number of health hazard _______________________
c. Number of reactivity hazard_____________________
d. Number of fire hazard__________________________
e. Number of Other hazard________________________
3. Describe the location of the two eye wash/safety shower stations.
4. Demonstrate operation of the eye wash. _______instructor initials
5. State the activation of the safety shower. _______instructor initials
6. State the location of the nearest fire extinguisher.
7. State the location of the MSDS sheets.
8. Review one MSDS sheet in the notebook and find the following information:
a. Name of chemical ______________
b. Toxicity
c. Health effects
d. First aid
e. Reactivity
f. Storage
g. Disposal
h. PPE required
9. Go on the internet and locate an MSDS sheet for bleach. HINT: you must know the chemical name. Show
your instructor. _______instructor initials
10. State the location of the concentrated bleach.
11. State the location of the container for non-biohazardous broken glassware.
12. State the location where you will store your lab coat when you leave.
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Name ________________________________________ Date ___________________
MLAB 2479 Molecular Diagnostics Techniques
Laboratory 1 Laboratory Safety
Study Questions
Points: 17
Instructions:
 Copy/paste the following study questions into word processing document.
 Answer the questions
 Save the file as “Lab1LabSafetyYOUR NAME”
 Submit to “Assignments” in BlackBoard
1. List two of the five behaviors not allowed in the student laboratory (2 points).
a.
b.
2. List two times when hands must be washed (2 points).
a.
b.
3. Describe the “Pre-Lab” activity (1 point).
4. What type of container must a blood or body fluid sample be disposed in (0.5 point)?
5. Where is broken glass disposed of (1 point)?
6. What does “MSDS” stand for (1 point)?
7. For each of the following state the color on the label and a BRIEF description of hazards 1-4
a. Health (2.5 points)
i. Color
ii. 1
iii. 2
iv. 3
v. 4
b. Fire (2.5 points)
i. Color
ii. 1
iii. 2
iv. 3
v. 4
c. Reactivity (2.5 points)
i. Color
ii. 1
iii. 2
iv. 3
v. 4
8. State the safety protocol to follow if a chemical gets in your eye (1 point).
9. State the safety protocol to follow if a caustic chemical gets on your clothing (1 point).
10. What is the phone number to call for an emergency which occurs on campus (1 point)?
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