This document outlines general safety rules and procedures for working in a medical microbiology laboratory. It discusses hazards such as exposure to biological agents, chemicals, radiation, and electrical accidents. The key safety practices include wearing personal protective equipment, keeping work areas clean and uncluttered, properly storing chemicals and biological materials, and knowing emergency procedures for injuries or accidents. Following these safety guidelines is important for protecting laboratory workers from health and safety risks.

1. Medical Microbiology Laboratory
(Occupational Safety)
Hussein A. Abid
Medical Laboratory Scientist
Member at American Society of Microbiology
Chairman of Iraqi Medical Laboratory Association
Teacher at Middle Technical University

2. HAZARDOUS IN THE LAB
 Biological: exposure to blood and body fluids and
specimens that harbor HIV, HBV, HCV etc., bioterrorism)
 Chemical: acids, alkalis, toxic chemicals.
 Radiological: ineffective radioactive waste disposal
 Fire
 Electrical accidents
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3. GENERAL SAFETY RULES

4. GENERAL SAFETY RULES
 At microbiology laboratory your full attention is required.
 All persons in medical microbiology laboratories should
be informed about microbiology lab safety rules by
graphics and other ways that are easy to be understand.
 All persons in laboratories, staff and visitors, shall wear
safety glasses, goggles, or face shields at all times where
potential eye hazards exist.
 NOTE: prescription eyeglasses do not provide adequate
protection.
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5. GENERAL SAFETY RULES
 Listen to or read instructions carefully before
attempting to do anything.
 Notify your unit’s head if any spills or accidents
occur.
 After handling chemicals, always wash your hands
with soap and water.
 During lab work, keep your hands away from your
face.
 Tie back long hair. 4

6. GENERAL SAFETY RULES
 Eating, drinking, chewing gum, and applying
cosmetics are prohibited in the medical
laboratories.
 Do not store food or beverages in the same
refrigerators or freezers with chemicals,
biohazards, or radioactive materials.
 Appropriate gloves are essential when working
with hazardous substances.
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7. GENERAL SAFETY RULES
 All glove materials are not equally
effective in protection from hazardous
substances; consult a chemical
resistance chart, a glove manufacturer,
or EH & S (Environmental Health and
Safety) for appropriate selection.
 Wear appropriate clothing. In
particular, you must wear closed-toed
shoes (i.e., NO sandals or flip-flops!) in
the laboratory. Long pants are highly
recommended.
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Sandal
Flip-flops

8. GENERAL SAFETY RULES
 Avoid wearing your best clothes, and if you have long
hair tie it back. Avoid wearing dangling jewelry.
 Wearing an iPod, Bluetooth, or any other device that
interferes with hearing is not allowed.
 Never pipet anything by mouth.
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9. GENERAL SAFETY RULES
 The work area must be kept clean and uncluttered. All
chemicals should be labeled and stored properly.
 Never work alone in the laboratory.
 The hazards of chemicals used should be known (e.g.,
corrosiveness, flammability, reactivity, stability, and
toxicity).
 Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) should be
available for all non-routine or acutely toxic chemicals
used and stored in the laboratory.
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10. GENERAL SAFETY RULES
 Always pay attention to your surroundings and be aware
of what others are doing. Always be courteous.
 Remove contaminated gloves before touching common
use devices (door knobs, faucets, equipment); discard
gloves before leaving the laboratory.
 Always wash hands and arms with soap and water
before leaving the laboratory.
 No smoking!
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11. GENERAL SAFETY RULES
 Know the location of the fire extinguisher, fire
blanket, eyewash station, and first aid kit.
 Keep your work area uncluttered. Take to the lab
station only what is necessary.
 Never “horse around” or play practical jokes in
the laboratory.
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12. BIOLOGICAL SAFETY

13. BIOLOGICAL SAFETY
 Security and storage of stock cultures.
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14. BIOLOGICAL SAFETY
 Biological waste must be disposed of properly.
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15. BIOLOGICAL SAFETY
 Bench disinfection.
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16. BIOLOGICAL SAFETY
 Hand hygiene.
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17. CHEMICAL SAFETY

18. CHEMICAL SAFETY
 Lab coat must be worn properly.
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19. CHEMICAL SAFETY
 Mouth pipetting and goggles.
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20. CHEMICAL SAFETY
 Storage of flammables should not be open. They
must be in the container labeled with warning.
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21. CHEMICAL SAFETY
 Labeling of chemicals and solutions is important.
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22. CHEMICAL SAFETY
 Storage of corrosives like strong acids and bases
should not be open.
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23. CHEMICAL SAFETY
 Possible exposure to chemical powders should
be avoided by wearing mask.
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24. GLASSWARE SAFETY

25. GLASSWARE SAFETY
 Chipped or cracked glassware should
not be used.
 Broken glassware should not be
disposed of in a trashcan. There is a
special glass disposal container for it.
 When pouring liquids into glassware,
make sure the container you are
pouring into is resting on a table at
least a hands breadth from the edge.
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For sharps only
Other medical wastes

26. GLASSWARE SAFETY
 If a piece of glassware gets broken, do not try to
clean it up by yourself.
 Do not place hot glassware in water. Rapid
cooling may make it shatter.
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27. HEATING AND ELECTRICAL
SAFETY

28. HEATING AND ELECTRICAL SAFETY
 Use tongs and/or protective gloves to handle hot
objects.
 Never reach across an open flame or burner.
 Always point the top ends of test tubes that are
being heated away from people.
 When heating a test tube, move it around slowly
over the flame to distribute the heat evenly.
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29. HEATING AND ELECTRICAL SAFETY
 Only glassware that is thoroughly dry should be heated.
 Heat glassware by placing it on a wire gauze platform on
a ring-stand. Do not hold it in your hand.
 Electrical hazards can cause burns, shocks and
electrocution (death).
 Assume that all overhead wires are energized at lethal
voltages. Never assume that a wire is safe to touch even
if it is down or appears to be insulated.
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30. HEATING AND ELECTRICAL SAFETY
 Never operate electrical equipment while you are
standing in water.
 Never repair electrical cords or equipment unless
qualified and authorized.
 Always use caution when working near electricity.
 At the end of the work, turn off the power from all devises
and make sure.
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31. HAZARDOUS SYMBOLS

33. FIRST AIDS

34. FIRST AIDS
 Injury: Burns
 To Do: Immediately flush with cold water until
burning sensation is lessened.
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35. FIRST AIDS
 Injury: Cuts, bruises
 To Do: Do not touch an
open wound without
safety gloves. Pressing
directly on minor cuts will
stop bleeding in a few
minutes. Apply cold
compress to bruises to
reduce swelling.
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36. FIRST AIDS
 Injury: The eyes
 To Do: Flush eyes immediately with plenty of
water for several minutes. If a foreign object is
lodged in the eye, do not allow the eye to be
rubbed.
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