Training in GMLP is aimed at developing proficiency in containing any uncontrolled spread of microbes in order to protect:
- practical investigations from becoming contaminated with microbes from external sources
- the operators (students, teachers and technicians) from the very small possibility of infection
Microbiological safety
The techniques and activities described on the website and the micro-organisms suggested present minimum risk given good practice. It is therefore essential that good microbiology laboratory practice is observed at all times when working with any microbes. Before any practical activity is undertaken a risk assessment should be performed to ensure there is minimal hazard to all concerned.
There are five areas for consideration when embarking on practical microbiology investigations which make planning ahead essential.
- Preparation and sterilization of equipment and culture media.
- Preparation of microbial cultures as stock culture for future investigations and inoculum for current investigation.
- Inoculation of the media with the prepared culture.
- Incubation of cultures and sampling during growth.
- Sterilization and safe disposal of all cultures and decontamination of all contaminated equipment.
Good organisational skills and a disciplined approach ensure that every activity is performed both safely and successfully.
Protection
Food or drink should not be stored or consumed in a laboratory that is used for microbiology. No one should lick labels, apply cosmetics, chew gum, suck pens or pencils or smoke in the laboratory. Hands should be washed with disinfectant soap after handling microbial cultures and whenever leaving the laboratory. If hand contamination is suspected, then the hands should be washed immediately with disinfectant soap. To ensure that any wounds, cuts or abrasions do not get infected or infection is passed on, protect them by the use of waterproof dressings or wear disposable surgical gloves.
General personal safety
Each individual embarking on these, or any other, activities is responsible for his or her own safety and also for the safety of others affected by their work (students, technicians, teachers). The individual must include in the planning and performance of the investigation a risk assessment to assess any hazard that the investigation may pose and ways of minimising it.
Aseptic technique
Sterile equipment and media should be used to transfer and culture micro-organisms. Aseptic technique should be observed whenever micro-organisms are transferred from one container to another. Contaminated equipment should preferably be heat sterilised by either incineration or autoclaving. A suitable chemical disinfectant can be used but this may not ensure complete sterilization.
Electrical safety
Some microbiology investigations use bioreactors that require oxygenation and this is usually supplied by the use of an aquarium air pump. Care should be taken to ensure that no liquid comes into contact with electrical mains power. The same care should apply if a magnetic stirrer is to be used to mix the growth medium in a bioreactor.
1.Wash your hands with disinfectant soap when you arrive at the lab and again before you leave.
2. Absolutely no food, drinks, chewing gum, or smoking is allowed in the laboratory. Do not put anything in your mouth such as pencils, pens, labels, or fingers. Do not store food in areas where microorganisms are stored.
3. Purchase a lab coat and safety glasses, bring them to class, and use them. Alternatively, a long sleeved shirt that buttons or snaps closed is acceptable protective clothing. This garment must cover your arms and be able to be removed without pulling it over your head. Leave protective clothing in the lab and do not wear it to other non-lab areas.
4. Avoid loose fitting items of clothing. Wear appropriate shoes (sandals are not allowed) in the laboratory.
5. Keep your workspace free of all unnecessary materials. Backpacks, purses, and coats should be placed in the cubbyholes by the front door of the lab. Place needed items on the floor near your feet, but not in the aisle.
6. Disinfect work areas before and after use with 70% ethanol or fresh 10% bleach. Laboratory equipment and work surfaces should be decontaminated with an appropriate disinfectant on a routine basis, and especially after spills, splashes, or other contamination.
7. Label everything clearly.
8. Replace caps on reagents, solution bottles, and bacterial cultures. Do not open Petri dishes in the lab unless absolutely necessary.
9. Inoculating loops and needles should be flame sterilized in a Bunsen burner before you lay them down
10. Turn off Bunsen burners when not is use. Long hair must be restrained if Bunsen burners are in use.
11. When you flame sterilize with alcohol, be sure that you do not have any papers under you.
12. Treat all microorganisms as potential pathogens. Use appropriate care and do not take cultures out of the laboratory.
13. Wear disposable gloves when working with potentially infectious microbes or samples (e.g., sewage). If you are working with a sample that may contain a pathogen, then be extremely careful to use good bacteriological technique.
14. Sterilize equipment and materials.
15. Never pipette by mouth. Use a pipetting aid or adjustable volume pipettors. [In the distant past, some lab personnel were taught to mouth pipette. This practice has been known to result in many laboratory-acquired infections. With the availability of mechanical pipetting devices, mouth pipetting is strictly prohibited.]
16. Consider everything a biohazard. Do not pour anything down the sink. Autoclave liquids and broth cultures to sterilize them before discarding.
17. Dispose of all solid waste material in a biohazard bag and autoclave it before discarding in the regular trash.
18. Familiarize yourself with the location of safety equipment in the lab (e.g., eye-wash station, shower, sinks, fire extinguisher, biological safety cabinet, first aid kit, emergency gas valve).
19. Dispose of broken glass in the broken glass container.
20. Dispose of razor blades, syringe needles, and sharp metal objects in the “sharps†container.
21. Report spills and accidents immediately to your instructor. Clean small spills with care (see instructions below). Seek help for large spills.
22. Report all injuries or accidents immediately to the instructor, no matter how small they seem
