1.2 - Safety and Rules in a Biology Laboratory

Personal Protective Equipment and Safety Equipment

Equipment in the Biology Laboratory

• Emergency shower station: used when chemicals or hazardous substances come into contact with the skin.
• Eye wash station: washes the eyes when exposed to chemicals or hazardous substances.
• Fume hood: prevents inhalation of hazardous gases such as chlorine, bromine and nitrogen dioxide.
• Laminar flow cabinet: provides a flow of filtered air for a clean work area.
• Biological safety cabinet: provides an enclosed workspace to study materials contaminated, or likely to be contaminated, by pathogens.

Equipment Worn or Used by Pupils

• Goggles: protect the eyes from hazardous chemicals.
• Face mask: protects against smoke, vapour and dust that can affect the respiratory system.
• Laboratory gloves: used to handle biological samples.
• Handwash: removes germs from hands.
• Lab coat: protects the skin and clothes from hazardous chemical splashes.
• Lab shoes: prevent injury from glass shards and chemical spills.

Disposal into the Sink

Substances That Can Be Disposed into the Sink

• Chemicals with pH values of 5–9.
• Low-concentration liquids and solutions that are harmless to users, such as sucrose solution, dye solution and distilled water.

Substances That Cannot Be Disposed into the Sink

• Organic solvents, such as acetone, alcohol and benzene.
• Substances with pH values below 5 or above 9.
• Chemicals, such as acids, greases and oils.
• Solid wastes, such as chemicals, glass and rubber.
• Heavy metals, such as mercury.
• Volatile substances.
• Toxic substances.
• Organic wastes, such as microorganisms and carcases.
• Reactive substances.
• Radioactive substances.

Methods for Managing Biological Waste

Category A — Sharp Wastes

• Examples: syringes, needles, glass, scalpels and other sharp instruments that can cause injuries.
• Management: place in a special sharp-waste bin; the bin does not need to be sterilised.

Category B — Non-sharp Wastes

• Examples: gloves, tissue papers, Petri dishes, plastic culture containers and hardened agar.
• Management: pack in autoclave-resistant biohazard plastic bags, sterilise in an autoclave for decontamination, then place in a biohazard bin.
• Never place biohazard plastic bags in ordinary waste bins.

Category C — Animal Carcases

• Examples: animal carcases, organs and tissues.
• Management: wrap carefully in absorbent material such as tissue paper, pack carefully in a biohazard plastic bag and freeze.

Category D — Liquids

• Examples: broth culture and liquid medium such as blood.
• Management: decontaminate all biological liquid waste by autoclaving before disposal; dispose of sterilised liquid waste immediately.

Autoclaving and Temporary Storage

• Autoclave at 121 °C and 15 psi for 20 minutes.
• Store sterilised biohazard plastic bags and sharp-waste bins temporarily in a controlled storage place until the scheduled disposal time.

Accidents in the Laboratory

General Chemical Spills

1. Inform the teacher.
2. Declare the spill area a restricted zone.
3. Prevent the spill from spreading using sand.
4. Scoop up the spill using appropriate equipment.
5. Dispose of it safely.

Mercury Spills

1. Inform the teacher.
2. Declare the spill area a restricted zone.
3. Sprinkle sulphur to cover the mercury spill.
4. Call the Fire and Rescue Department.

Practices in a Biology Laboratory

Clothing Ethics

• Use a lab coat, gloves, lab shoes and goggles when appropriate.

Laboratory Safety Rules

• Do not work alone in the laboratory without supervision.
• Wash hands after conducting an experiment.
• Do not bring irrelevant items into the laboratory.
• Clean the workstation using disinfectant.
• Dispose of wastes according to the set procedures.
• Do not eat or drink in the laboratory.
• Identify all safety symbols on substances and equipment before use.

Safety Measures for Fires

• Stop work immediately, switch off nearby power sources and unplug appliances.
• Exit according to the emergency exit plan.
• Call the Fire and Rescue Department.
• Stay calm and do not push others.
• Do not turn back to collect belongings.
• Assemble at the assembly point.

Handling Glass and Chemicals

• Be cautious when handling hot glassware.
• Report damaged equipment or glassware to the teacher immediately.
• Keep flammable chemicals away from fire sources.
• Do not touch, taste or smell chemicals directly.

Handling Live Specimens

• Wear appropriate gloves when handling biological specimens.
• Bury or freeze dissected specimens that are not harmful.
• Wash hands with antiseptic detergent before and after experiments.
• Clean all surfaces and workstations with disinfectant before leaving the laboratory.

Emergency Help

• Inform the teacher.
• Call the emergency number.
• Remove the victim from the scene.
• Give emergency treatment.
• Declare the accident area a restricted zone.

Scientific Attitudes and Noble Values

• Show interest and curiosity towards the environment.
• Be honest and accurate when recording and validating data.
• Be diligent and persevering when carrying out a study.
• Be responsible for personal safety, the safety of others and the environment.
• Appreciate and practise clean and healthy living.
• Appreciate the contributions of science and technology.
• Think critically and analytically.