Appendix

6
Safe Handling
of Microorganisms

Many of the procedures used in molecular biology research involve

the use of live microorganisms. Whenever such organisms are used,
it is essential that laboratory workers adhere rigidly to a microbiology
laboratory code of practice and thereby significantly reduce the possi-
bility of causing a laboratory-acquired infection.
The safest way to approach work with live microorganisms is
to make the following assumptions:

1. Every microorganism used in the laboratory is potentially haz-

ardous.
2. Every culture fluid contains potentially pathogenic organisms.
3. Every culture fluid contains potentially toxic substances.

The basis of a microbiology laboratory code of practice is that

no direct contact should be made with the experimental organisms
or culture fluids, e.g., contact with the skin, nose, eyes, or mouth. It
must also be noted that a large proportion of laboratory-acquired
infections result from the inhalation of infectious aerosols released
during laboratory procedures. Below is a list of instructions that
forms the basis of a microbiology laboratory code of practice.

204
 Safe Handling of Microorganisms 205

0 A laboratory coat that covers the trunk to the neck must be worn
at all times.
0 There must be no eating, drinking, or smoking in the laboratory.
0 There must be no licking of gummed labels.
0 Touching the face, eyes, and so on should be avoided.
0 There must be no chewing or biting of pens or pencils.
0 Available bench space must be kept clear, clean, tidy, and free
of unessential items such as books and handbags.
0 No materials should be removed from the laboratory without the
express permission of the laboratory supervisor or safety officer.
1 All manipulations, such as by pipet or loop, should be performed
in a manner likely to prevent the production of an aerosol of
the contaminated material.
0 Pipetting by mouth of any liquid is strictly forbidden. Pipet fillers,
or automatic pipets, are used instead.
10. All manipulations should be performed aseptically, using
plugged, sterile pipets, and the contaminated pipets should be
immediately sterilized by total immersion in a suitable disin-
fectant.
11. Contaminated glassware and discarded petri dishes must be
placed in lidded receptacles provided for their disposal.
12. All used microscope slides should be placed in receptacles con-
taining disinfectant.
13. It must be recognized that certain procedures or equipment, e.g.,
agitation of fluids in flasks, produce aerosols of contaminated
materials. Lids should be kept on contaminated vessels, when
possible.
14. All accidents, including minor cuts, abrasions, and spills of cul-
ture fluids and reagents, must be reported to the laboratory super-
visor or safety officer.
206 Appendix 6

15. Before leaving the bench, swab your working area with an appro-
priate disinfectant fluid.
16. Whenever you leave the laboratory, wash your hands with a
germicidal soap and dry them with paper towels. Laboratory
coats should be removed and stored for future use or laundered.
Do not under any circumstances wander into an office or rest-
room area wearing a potentially contaminated laboratory coat.