Microbiology Lab 1 Answers

Lab #1 (16th October, 2012)

Safety in the Microbiology Lab * Clinical specimens received from patients pose a hazard to personnel health because of the infectious agents they may contain. * Spurred by the spread of HIV/AIDS, the CDC has recommended safety precautions concerning the handling of patient materials by health care workers. * Universal precaution (or blood and body fluid precaution). * Emphasis on good knowledge and common sense. * Safety is everybody’s business :
From the Employer → Safety Officer → Employee

Functions of the Employer: * To educate the employees about handling infectious agents. * To educate those people who only have exposure to the lab environment. (custodial personnel, delivery) * Provision of safe working environment. * To provide maintenance of: PPE (Protective Personal Equipment), safety equipment, ensure training opportunities.

Functions of the Safety Officer: * Knowledge of safety regulations and development of safety procedural manual.
Laboratory personnel have specific training in handling these pathogenic and potentially lethal agents and are supervised by scientists who are experienced in working with these agents. These agents may be transmitted by the airborne route, often have a low infectious dose to produce effects and can cause serious or life-threatening disease. BSL3 emphasizes additional primary and secondary barriers to minimize the release of infectious organisms into the immediate laboratory and the environment. Additional features to prevent transmission of BSL3 organisms are appropriate respiratory protection, HEPA filtration of exhausted laboratory air and strictly controlled laboratory access.

Biosafety Level 4 (BSL4) and Containment Level