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1. A N U M B A T O O L
L E C T U R E R B I O T E C H N O L O G Y , I B B B , I U B .
Good Microbiological Practices

2. GOOD MICROBIOLOGICAL PRACTICE
(GMP)
Basic code of practice that should be applied to all
types of work involving microorganisms.
 Objectives:
Prevent contamination of laboratory workers and the
environment, Prevent contamination of the
experiment/samples.
 Application of aseptic technique, Minimization of
aerosols, contamination control, personal protection,
emergency response.

3. HANDWASHING
One of the single effective means of preventing infections if
done properly and frequently
 When to wash?
 Before starting any manipulations
 Before leaving the lab
 When hands are obviously soiled
 Before and after completing any task in a BSC
 Every time gloves are removed
 Before contact with one’s face or mouth
 At the end of the day
 Liquid dispensers should be used rather than bars
 Level 1 lab - a non antiseptic soap can be used
 Level 2 lab - requires antiseptic hand washing solutions

4. SAFE USE OF CENTRIFUGES
Before use
 Stress lines- Overfilled ?Balanced?
 Caps or stoppers properly in place?
 Run conditions achieved?
 Use sealable buckets (safety cups) or sealed rotors
After run
 Centrifuge completely stopped?
 Spills or leaks?
 Allow aerosols to settle (30 min) or open in a BSC.
 Check logs to ensure centrifuge is consistently achieving
desired conditions.

5. Centrifuge

6. NEEDLES AND SYRINGES
 Avoid use whenever possible
 Use a BSC for all operations with infectious material
 Fill syringes carefully
 Do not bend, shear needles.
 Dispose of all used needles/syringes in yellow sharps
containers
 Use safe needle devices if possible; locking units.

7. PIPETTES
 Mouth pipetting is prohibited.
 Never force fluids out
 To avoid splashes, allow discharge to run down
dispense the receiving container wall.
 Never mix material by suction and expulsion.
 Reusable pipettes should be placed horizontally in a
disinfectant filled pan.

8. BLENDERS, GRINDERS, SONICATORS,
AND LYOPHILIZERS
 Operate in a BSC whenever possible.
 Allow aerosols to settle for 5 minutes before opening.
Safety Blender
 Do not use glass blender jars
 Decontaminate immediately after use
Lyophilizers
 Use glassware designed for vacuum work, ensure there is no
damage before using
 All surfaces should be disinfected after use
 Use vapour traps whenever possible
Safety blender – designed to prevent leakage from the bottom of the
blender jar and to withstand sterilization by autoclaving.
 They also provide a cooling jacket to avoid biological inactivation.

9. INOCULATION LOOPS
 Sterilization in an open flame may create aerosols
which may contain viable microorganisms.
 Use a shielded electric incinerator
 Shorter handles minimize vibrations
 Disposable plastic loops are good alternatives

10. CRYOSTATS
 Wear gloves during preparation of frozen sections
and heavy gloves when accessing the cryostat.
 Decontaminate frequently (100 or 70%
Ethanol)Freezing tissue does not necessarily
inactivate infectious agents.

11. SPILL RESPONSE
 Spill response will vary depending on:
 What was spilled?
 How much was spilled?
 Where was the spill?
 What is the potential for release to the environment?
 Spills should be cleaned up immediately (unless an aerosol
was generated), to ensure proper decontamination.
 Ensure appropriate PPE is worn and clean-up equipment is
readily available.

12. SPILLS-GENERAL CLEAN-UP
 Cover spill area with absorbent material
 Soak the spill area with an appropriate disinfectant (i.e.
10% bleach)
 Pour disinfectant from the outside of the absorbent
material towards the inside
 Ensure any broken glass is picked up (with forceps!) and
placed in a sharps container
 Leave on for 20 to 30 minutes
 Wipe up with absorbent material
 Waste should be disposed in appropriate biohazard bags
and where possible autoclaved.

13. SPILLS-SPECIAL CASES
 Within a Centrifuge
 Within a BSC
 Open Areas (lab, during transport)
 A spill response plan should be prepared BEFORE
the spill occurs

14. SPILLS
 All users of biological materials should be familiar
with the spill clean-up procedures.
 All spills are to be reported ASAP to the lab
supervisor and the BSO.
 Additional assistance is available from: Your
departmental safety officer, Local community
services (if available)