Safe Laboratory Practice


  • Never mouth-pipette, use safe measuring and dispensing devices like Capillary and micropipette fillers, Pipettors, Specimen measuring syringes, Reagent dispensers etc.
  • Do not eat, drink, smoke, store food, or apply cosmetics in the working area of the laboratory.
  • Use an aseptic technique when handling specimens and culture.
  • Always wash the hands after handling infectious material, when leaving the laboratory and before attending to patients. Cover any open wound with a waterproof dressing.
  • Wear appropriate protective clothing when working in the laboratory. Ensure it is decontaminated and laundered correctly.
  • Wear protective gloves, and a face mask, for involving direct contact with infectious materials.
  • Minimize the creation of aerosols.
  • Centrifuge safely to avoid creating aerosols.
  • Do not use chipped or cracked glassware and always deal with a breakage immediately and safely.
    Safe Laboratory Practice
  • Avoid spillages by using racks to hold containers.
  • Work neatly and keep the bench surface free of any unnecessary materials.
  • Decontaminate work surfaces at the end of each day’s work and following any spillage of infectious fluid.
  • Report immediately to the laboratory officer in charge, any spillage or other accident involving exposure to infectious material.
  • Use and control an autoclave correctly.
  • Dispose of laboratory waste safely. 
  • Do not allow unauthorized persons to enter the working area of the laboratory. 
  • Ensure technical and auxiliary staff working in the laboratory receive appropriate immunizations. 
  • Those at increased risk of acquiring infections, e.g. immuno-compromised persons, should not work in a laboratory handling infectious material.

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