Microbial Containment Level 1 Facilities

Local Rules / Working Practices Standards for Microbial Work Activities at Containment Level 2

The following represents a basic set of local rules / working practices based on the principles of Good Microbial Practice to be followed by all workers. These local rules outlined below should be modified by each individual Group to reflect specific details and rules relevant to their laboratory and work activities. All new workers must be made familiar with these local rules as part of the local induction training given to all new workers in the laboratory. Individual workers must also have access to and adhere to local rules.

Location: Group: Brief Description of Work Activities involving Biological Agents:

1. Safety Management of Laboratory  The Group Leader (xxxxxxx) is ultimately responsible for the overall safety management of all workers in their group and must ensure that these local rules are enforced  xxxxxxxx has been delegated responsibility for enforcing these local rules on a day to day basis within the laboratory on behalf of the Group Leader

2. Training  All new workers to the laboratory must receive instruction on the local rules / good microbial practices that must be followed as part of their local induction training  All workers to receive training on experimental procedures, including safe use of any equipment to be used  All workers to be given appropriate supervision. This will largely depend on the experience and knowledge of each individual.

3. General Rules  A laboratory (side fastening ‘Howie’ style) coat must be worn whilst working in the laboratory area  Laboratory coats should be kept or stored separately in the laboratory area  Laboratory coats should be inspected and laundered at regular intervals  Eye protection (goggles or safety glasses) should be worn if splashing is likely to occur  Sensible ‘closed shoes’ must be worn in all lab areas to properly protect the foot from splashes and sharp objects.  Disposable gloves should be worn when considered necessary: o to protect workers against some biological hazards o to protect samples from contamination e.g. tissue culture work

of 4  Disposable gloves must not be used if their use increases the overall risk of harm arising e.g. o gloves should NOT be worn when working in close proximity to a naked flame (e.g. using a Bunsen burner when applying aseptic technique for microbial work) as their use increases the chance of burn injuries if the glove melts o unnecessary, excessive wearing of disposable gloves for low risk activities can lead to skin irritation and potentially cause allergy e.g. to latex  All workers in the laboratory should cover cuts and abrasions with waterproof dressings  No eating or drinking in the laboratory area  No application of cosmetics  No storage of food for human consumption  No mouth pipetting  All procedures must be performed so as to minimise the production of aerosols  Good aseptic technique should be practiced when handling microorganisms to avoid cross-contamination

4. Access to Laboratory  Limit access to the laboratory to laboratory staff and other authorised persons to minimise the number of people likely to come into contact with (and spread) any contamination  Keep the laboratory door closed (the sign restricting access is then clearly visible and people are less likely to wander in)

5. Hygiene  Hands must be washed in the hand-wash basin after removal of the laboratory coat and before vacating the laboratory area  Standard handwash products are suitable for this and there is no need to use specialist antimicrobial products. Single use paper towels should be available for use.  Hands must be disinfected or washed immediately when contamination is suspected

6. Waste Disposal N.B.: add specific local information if required  All waste materials must be made safe by autoclaving or disinfection before disposal:

Solid Waste  Contaminated solid waste must be disposed of in double autoclave bags, before collection and autoclave treatment  Autoclave bags must not be over filled  Autoclave bags should not be used for general safe waste (black bin bags should be used for general safe waste)  Autoclave bags must not contain any sharps, including cocktail sticks  Autoclave bags must be labelled with lab. Group  Autoclave bags must be transported to the central autoclave facility (F0) in robust containers to avoid leakage e.g. leak-proof trolleys

of 4 Liquid Waste  Liquid waste must either be treated with an appropriate disinfectant or autoclaved, before disposal down the sink

7. Disinfection N.B.: add specific local information if required  Effective disinfectants must be available for routine disinfection and immediate use in the event of spillage (see below)  Work surfaces should be regularly cleaned with an appropriate disinfectant  All surfaces should be disinfected before any maintenance staff are permitted to work in the area  All specimen containers, glassware and used equipment should be immersed in a suitable disinfectant before cleaning or disposal  Used laboratory glassware and other materials awaiting sterilisation must be stored in a safe manner.  Pipettes, if placed in disinfectant, must be totally immersed

8. Spillages

 Effective disinfectants should be available for immediate use in the event of a spillage (small or large).  If a spillage occurs, keep calm and take any appropriate remedial action.  A minor spillage involving little splashing and limited to a small area should be handled by: o applying disinfectant to the spillage (use of powdered disinfectants recommended to minimise generation of splashes) o leave for an appropriate period o mop up with disposable paper towels o dispose of paper towels in an autoclave bag for inactivation  Where a spillage involves personal contamination: o Wash immediately with water and soap o Shout for assistance if required o Report the accident on the appropriate form

9. Storage

 Cultures should be stored: o in appropriate leak-proof containers o be clearly labelled

N.B.: add specific local information about storage of e.g. stock cultures, if required

10. Transport N.B.: add specific local information if required

of 4  Liquid cultures must be transported in leak-proof containers between laboratory facilities

11. Testing and Maintenance of Equipment N.B.: add specific local information if required  All equipment must be maintained and tested as appropriate

12. Health Surveillance / Vaccination N.B.: add specific local information on any necessary health surveillance / vaccination requirements

13. Reporting Accidents / Incidents  All accidents and incidents must be immediately reported to and recorded by the person responsible for the work using the University’s on-line reporting system.

14. Lone Working Arrangements N.B.: add specific local information on lone working arrangements

15. Other relevant documents / SOPs N.B.: add specific local information if required