Label all cultures and solutions properly with your name or initials, date, course / lab section, and experiment information. The experiment information may include the composition of the solution, identity of the culture, or the experiment number.

open bench tops using standard microbiological practices. Special containment equipment or facility design is neither required nor generally used

Precautions for dealing with body fluids - use Biosafety Level 2

Because microorganisms are so small, large populations are generally needed in order to monitor microbial activity. Aseptic techniques help ensure that only one type of microorganism is present in a container (pure culture). These methods also ensure that the microorganisms do not escape from the container, contaminating the laboratory, and possibly causing disease.

Items contaminated with microorganisms or body fluids must be autoclaved before disposal or washing.

Needles and syringes must be thrown into the red sharps container. Syringes without needles must be disposed of in the sharps container.

Glassware including flasks, beakers and other containers. Remove all marks from the glass with ethanol and place the items in the cart. Do not throw cultures down the drain. Place the containers and their contents in the cart.

Glass tubes are placed in baskets set on an angle so that the contents do not spill. Remove marks before disposal using ethanol.

Plastic Petri plates and other disposable plastic items used to culture or contain microorganisms must be placed in the red biohazard bags for autoclaving prior to disposal.

Chemicals must be disposed of properly. Some chemicals must be placed in special containers for disposal to prevent environmental contamination. Your laboratory instructor will inform you about the chemicals you are using.

Never pick up broken glass with your hands; use a broom. Dispose of broken glass in the broken glass container. Disposable glass items that are not contaminated with culture must be placed in the broken glass container - even when they are not broken.

Paper towels should be thrown in the ordinary trash, unless they are contaminated with culture.

Wear a lab coat. You should supply a lab coat and leave it in the lab.
Always wear shoes in the lab. Closed-toed shoes are required for many labs.
Tie long hair back.
Remove dangling jewelry and items such as scarves and ties.

Disinfect your lab bench before you start, if you spill culture, and before you leave the lab.

Prevent contact with the skin by wearing gloves and a lab coat.

Minimize hazards due to the formation of dangerous aerosols and splashing by wearing protective eye gear

Limit exposure to chemical fumes by working in a chemical fume hood.

Properly dispose of chemicals that pose environmental hazards.

Set up a Bunsen burner in the center of your lab bench in an area free of overhanging materials. Never leave a lighted Bunsen burner unattended. Keep work area clear.

Working with hot items, either from the autoclave or heated in the Bunsen burner requires protection of your hands. Wear mitts or handle the hot item with tongs.

Using a sonicator, or sonic dismembranator, requires wearing protective ear coverings.

When working with a UV light source, wear coated UV-protective safety glasses.

Protective eye coverings are required any time that aerosols might be generated or splashing might occur.

familiarize yourself with the location of the eye wash station, the safety shower, the campus phone, and the fire extinguisher.

If you need to seek outside assistance for an injury or accident, call 911. Use the campus phone in the laboratory. Calling from your cell phone will connect you with the city rescue service and the city emergency services will then contact the campus police. Calling from the campus phone saves precious time.

earthquake, tornado or building fire, TURN OFF GAS JETS FIRST, then evacuate the building as directed by your lab instructor.

If a culture is spilled, cover the spilled material with paper towels and apply a generous amount of laboratory disinfectant. Let it sit twenty minutes and then clean up the towels and disinfect the bench.

For heat burns, chill the burned area with cold water or ice and notify the instructor.

If a culture or chemicals are splashed in or near you or your partner's eyes, immediately go the eye wash station. The two of you should go together. Place your face in the eye wash station and apply water. Your partner should hold your eyes open to ensure thorough flushing.

For large spills on your body or if caustic chemicals are spilled on you, proceed immediately to the safety shower. Pull the lever, while the water floods over you, take off any clothes that are contaminated. Stay under the shower until it stops.