Working with biological materials and
agents involves potentially coming into
contact with infectious agents that can
cause disease, such as viruses, bacteria,
or fungi. There are 4 containment levels
established by the Public Health Agency
of Canada for the safe handling of
infectious materials or toxins, ranging
from containment level 1, which is a
basic laboratory for work with lower
risk agents; to containment level 4 for
highly sophisticated facilities for work
with the highest risk biological agents
and toxins.
Here at Ryerson we have containment
level 1 and 2 laboratories only. All
containment level 2 laboratories are
regulated by the Public Health Agency of
Canada, and they must comply with all
legislative requirements and the
respective standards.
This includes physical containment
requirements such as structure, location,
surface finishes, and air handling. As
well as operational practice
requirements such as training, personal
protective equipment use, and procedures
for entry, exit, waste disposal, and the
safe handling of materials.
Ensure you're not bringing any non-
laboratory related items such as
schoolbags, food, or drinks into the lab.
After entering the laboratory put on a
lab coat. Lab coats should be hung on
hooks away from street clothes so as to
not risk cross-contamination. Put on any
additional personal protective equipment
as required by the nature of the lab
work or activities. Remove your lab coat
and other personal protective equipment.
When removing your gloves do so properly
to avoid any bare skin contact with the
surface of the gloves. Properly wash your
hands near the lab exit.
Ideally this sink will be hands-free
operation.
Biosafety cabinets provide personal
protection through a continuous stream
of inward air which helps prevent
aerosols from escaping through the front
opening. This air is exhausted by passing
through a high particulate air filter
or HEPA to protect the environment. When
using a biosafety cabinet, check the sash
and pressure gauges to verify that they are
within the acceptable range. Confirm
inward airflow by holding a tissue at
the middle of the edge of the sash to
establish that it's drawing in. Do not
block the grill.
Place aerosol generating equipment
towards the back of the biosafety
cabinet.
Do not rest your elbows or arms on the
grill or work surface. Keep a bottle of
an appropriate disinfectant in the
biosafety cabinet. Your workflow must be
from clean or non-contaminated items to
dirty areas. Collect waste in a container
in your biosafety cabinet. Emptying it when full.
Try to stay put while working, and avoid
moving in and out of the biosafety
cabinet as you don't want to disturb the
air circulation of the cabinet. Minimize
aerosol production during pipetting, and
pouring, as well as during centrifuge,
solicitor,
and shaker usage.
To prevent needle stick injuries use
safety-engineered needles if possible. If
you need to recap your needle, please do
so by using a recapping tool. You can
create recapping tools by using other
objects to hold the needle cap rather
than using your hand. Dispose of sharps
in to hardshell containers bearing the
biohazard symbol.
If you need to transport materials
during your lab work, please do so by
using clean secondary containers or
carts. In case of a spill during your lab
work
follow these steps to clean it up. Wear
the necessary personal protective
equipment. Take the absorbent material
from the lab spill kit, and soak it with
the appropriate disinfectant. Cover the
spill with the absorbent and close the
sash. Allow for 20 to 30 minutes of
absorption. After adequate contact time
collect spill materials, clean from the
perimeter towards the center of the
spill. Place the waste into a label
disposal bag, and clean up the surface
with the appropriate disinfectant.