1.1.2: Laboratory Safety Equipment

Broken Glass Container -

Students in a microbiology lab will be working with glassware (i.e. test tubes, microscope slides, etc.) and thus must be prepared to handle broken glassware appropriately should an accident occur. Broken glass should never be placed in a trash can, because it could puncture the trash bag and cut the individual disposing of the bag. The broken glass container will generally be a cardboard container labeled “Broken Glass.” This container serves to prevent injuries when the materials are being disposed of. Only uncontaminated broken glassware should be placed in this container. Broken contaminated glassware should be placed in an appropriate container to be autoclaved before it can be placed in this container.

Remember, broken glassware should never be handled with your bare hands. In the case of uncontaminated glassware, you should use a broom/ brush and dustpan to move it to the “Broken Glass” container.

Contaminated glassware on the other hand should be transported with autoclavable tongs to the appropriate autoclave/biohazard container.

Figure 2. Biohazard container. Credit: Sherry Smith

Biohazard Container -

Biohazardous wastes are inherent in the microbiology laboratory. Therefore, you must be familiar with how to properly dispose of those wastes. Materials exposed to bodily fluids or microorganisms are considered biohazardous. Such materials should be placed in a biohazard container. Biohazard containers are typically red with a biohazard label, or are containers with the red biohazard emblem on them. Some examples of biohazardous materials you may work with this semester are contaminated disposable pipets, old petri dishes used to grow bacteria, etc. Materials placed in this biohazard container are autoclaved to sterilize the contents before it is disposed of.

Safety Data Sheet Notebook –

Safety data sheets are documents that contain important information about chemicals, such as the chemical’s properties, proper precautions for handling, procedures for accidental exposure, etc. Your lab will have safety data sheets for all chemicals utilized in the lab. It is important that all individual’s working with any chemicals in the lab know where these documents are in order to safely work with chemicals in the laboratory room.

Figure 3. Safety shower and eyewash station. Credit: Sherry Smith

Eyewash Station -

An emergency eye wash station will be present in the microbiology lab. Eye wash stations are important should an individual’s eyes become exposed to chemicals, infectious agents, or other irritants. If your eyes are exposed to one of these items, you should go immediately to the eye wash station and flush your eyes for a minimum of 15 minutes.

Safety Shower -

Your lab will also have an emergency shower station. An emergency shower station is present in the lab should one’s body be exposed to chemicals, infectious agents, or should clothing catch fire. Should you require use of the safety shower, you should remain under the shower for a minimum of 15 minutes.

Figure 4. Gas shut-off valve. Credit: Sherry Smith

Gas Shut-Off Valve -

Microbiology laboratory classrooms are equipped with gas jets to supply gas for the Bunsen burners used in some of your laboratory experiments. The emergency gas shut-off valve is important should there be a gas leak, or a fire break out in the lab. Activating the gas shut-off valve will cut off gas flow to all the gas jets in the classroom.

Fire Extinguisher -

Your lab should be equipped with a fire extinguisher. Some of your laboratory exercises will require the use of a Bunsen burner. Using flames does pose the potential of a fire, thus one needs to be familiar with the fire extinguisher’s use and location.