Code of practice to work in Microbiology Laboratory (Laboratory guidelines)

The following laboratory guidelines should be followed to work in a Microbiology laboratory and they are-

1. Mouth pipetting is prohibited.
2.  Eating, drinking, smoking, storing food, and applying cosmetics are not permitted in the laboratory area.
3. The laboratory must be neat and clean and free of materials not pertinent to the work.
4.  Working surfaces are decontaminated at least once a day and after each spill of viable bacteria and infectious materials.
5.  Persons must wash their hands after handling infectious materials and animals and when they leave the laboratory.
6. All procedures are conducted carefully to minimize the creations of aerosols.
7. All contaminated liquid or solid waste s is decontaminated before being disposed of or otherwise handled.
8. Laboratory coats (aprons), gowns, or other protective devices must be worn in the laboratory.
9. Safety glasses, face shields, or other protective devices must be worn to protect the eyes and face from splashes and impacting objects.
10. Laboratory doors must be closed when work is in progress. No one should be allowed in the laboratory.
11. Persons who are at increased risk of acquiring infection or for whom infection may be usually hazardous are not allowed in the laboratory such as children, pregnant women, and individuals who are immunocompromised or immunodeficient, or immunosuppressed.
12. The use of a hypodermic needle and syringe is restricted for aspiration of fluid from laboratory animals and diaphragm vaccine bottles. They should be not used as a substitute for automatic pipetting.
13.  Gloves must be worn for all procedures necessitating direct contact with infectious materials.
14. All spills, accidents, and potential exposures to infectious materials must be reported immediately to the laboratory supervisor.

This is the short and sweet version of Microbiology safety guidelines. Therefore, follow these rules and regulations when you are working in this laboratory.