Microbiology Lab Safety and Procedures

General Safety Rules

Personal Belongings: Store in cubbies.
Hair: Long hair must be tied back.
Hygiene:
- Disinfect lab tables with Amphil or Lysol before and after use.
- Dispose of paper towels used for disinfecting in regular trash.
- Wash hands before and after lab.
- No eating or drinking in the lab.
Attire:
- Shoes must cover entire foot.
- No bare shoulders; cover with a shirt or apron.
Eye Protection:
- Mandatory to wear goggles, which are sterilized in the UV cabinet and must be returned.

Behavior: No horseplay.
Accidents: Report spills, broken glass, or accidents to instructor immediately.

Swabs: Dispose in red biohazard bags.
Pipettes and Tips:
- Used pipettes go in red jars.
- Used pipette tips go in round plastic jars.
Packaging: Regular trash can.
Wet Mound Slides: Dispose in disinfectant dish.
Petri Dishes and Microfuge Tubes: Red biohazard bags.
Broken Glass:
- Without bacteria: cardboard box.
- With bacteria: Disinfect, clean, and notify instructor.

Petri Plates:
- Stack, tape, and write your name.
- Place in bin for incubation.
Tube Labeling:
- Use tape below cap; do not write directly on tube.
- Use test tube racks for incubation.
Culture & Racks:
- Return cultures to side counter.
- Color-coded racks for each table.

Stain Bottles: Found by the sink.
Staining: Done at sink and chemical hood.
Gloves: Not provided; use your own.
Microscopes:
- Desk number corresponds with microscope number.
- Responsible for microscope maintenance.

Each student has a drawer with:
- Slide box, inoculating loop, ruler, apron, clothespin, and marker.
Kim Wipes: Clean lenses; discard in regular trash.