1. DEL MAR COLLEGE
Department of Natural Sciences
LABORATORY SAFETY PROCEDURES & GUIDELINES
A Pre-Lab Course
24-Hour Emergency Number:
DMC Security Office 361 / 698-1199

2. INSTRUCTIONS
• Study the information in this module.
• Take the quiz following this module.
• You must score 100% on this quiz to stay
registered in the class.

3. TABLE OF CONTENTS
Topic Module
General Rules and Regulations 1
Chemical Safety 2
Biohazard Safety 3
Emergency Equipment & Procedures 4
Field Trip Safety 5

4. MODULE 3
BIOHAZARD SAFETY

5. BIOHAZARDS
BIOHAZARDS INCLUDE:
Bacteria
Fungi
Viruses
Parasites
any bodily fluids
and anything that comes in contact with them.

6. BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS (BBPs)
 PATHOGENS are agents that cause disease.
 BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS are microorganisms
(bacteria, viruses) that may be transmitted through
blood or other potentially infectious materials such as
bodily fluids (blood, saliva, urine, etc.) or tissues.
 Diseases of concern include Hepatitis viruses, and HIV
(AIDS virus). The possibility of contracting one of
these diseases should be a serious concern for
everyone. Care should be taken to prevent
contamination.

7. BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN
TRANSMISSION
You can be contaminated with a bloodborne pathogen:
• through a cut or puncture from a contaminated
sharp object
• when you touch a contaminated surface and then
touch your eyes, nose, mouth, open wounds, or
inflamed skin

8. CONTROLLING EXPOSURE TO BBPs
Exercise Universal Precautions!
● Treat all blood and bodily fluids as if they were known to be
infectious (Universal Precautions).
● Avoid touching your face, eyes and nose with your gloves
● Wash hands before leaving the laboratory.
● Follow proper work practices
● Use safety equipment such as Fume Hoods
● Wear PPE as required by Laboratory Supervisor
● Follow proper waste disposal practices

9. BIOHAZARD DISPOSAL
• Specific waste disposal procedures depend on the type of
waste involved.
• Follow the disposal instructions as provided by the
Laboratory Supervisor.
• These photos are examples of containers
that you may see in the laboratory.

10. BIOHAZARD DISPOSAL
Biohazard Contaminated Soft Items
Items contaminated with biohazards must
be placed in a “Biohazardous Waste”
container. These items include:
• Disposable pipettes
• Gloves
• Plastic petri dishes
• Microcentrifuge tubes, etc.
Follow the disposal instructions as provided by the Laboratory Supervisor.

11. BIOHAZARD DISPOSAL
Sharps Disposal
● Items identified as “Sharps” will be deposited in a rigid
“Sharps” container. These items include:
● Used scalpel blades
● Hypodermic Needles
● Razor blades
● Contaminated glass
slides
● Do not recap hypodermic
needles prior to disposing
in a “Sharps” container.
Follow the disposal instructions as provided by the Laboratory Supervisor.

12. BIOHAZARD DISPOSAL
Non-biohazard Items
Items NOT contaminated with biohazards and can NOT
be placed in regular trash container must be placed in
designated waste containers. These items include:
● Broken glass and microscope slides
● Autoclavable items such as:
o Disposable pipettes
Broken
o Plastic petri dishes Glass
o Microcentrifuge tubes, etc.
Follow the disposal instructions as provided by the Laboratory Supervisor.

13. BIOHAZARD DISPOSAL
Non-biohazard Dissection Items
Solid and liquid waste items generated during a
dissection must be disposed of in separate designated
waste containers.
Liquids Solids
Only Only
Follow the disposal instructions as provided by the Laboratory Supervisor.

14. BIOHAZARD DISPOSAL
Laboratory Trash Items
Items NOT contaminated with biohazards can be placed
in the regular trash container. These items include:
● Used gloves
● Paper towels, etc.
Follow the disposal instructions as provided by the Laboratory Supervisor.

15. REMINDER
Please complete the quiz for
Module 3 before continuing.