Safety Measures in Biological Laboratories

1. When conducting experiments involving toxic and foul-smelling gases, ventilation equipment must be turned on, and experiments should be stopped immediately in case of toxic gas leakage.

2. It is prohibited to eat or bring utensils into the laboratory, and students should not use laboratory glassware as utensils. After analyzing experimental data, wash hands thoroughly before leaving the laboratory.

3. When heating or pouring liquids, do not place the nozzle close to yourself or others.

4. When diluting concentrated acids, especially concentrated sulfuric acid, slowly pour the acid into water, not the other way around.

5. To avoid electric shock when using electrical appliances, do not touch them with wet hands, and immediately cut off the power after the experiment.

6. When smelling gases, use the method of "wafting" by gently waving your hand to direct the gas towards your nose (in small amounts), and do not put your nose close to the container.

7. Do not mix several reagents or drugs at will to avoid explosions, fires, and other accidents.

8. Prevent flammable reagents from coming into contact with fire sources.

9. When entering the laboratory, wear a lab coat, put on protective gloves, and tie back loose hair. Do not use cosmetics or wear contact lenses in the laboratory. Avoid wearing rings, earrings, necklaces, watches, and other items.

10. Use dedicated tools like a spatula to take medicines; do not use your hands to directly handle medicines, and avoid direct contact of medicines with students' skin.

11. After the experiment, check the laboratory, turn off the faucets and exhaust fans, and switch off the electric knife.

Daily Safety Operations in Biological Laboratories

1. Before the experiment, laboratory management personnel should check whether the instruments are intact and whether the setup is correct and safe. It is prohibited to repair or adjust instruments during the experiment.

2. Other educational activities unrelated to experimental teaching are prohibited in the laboratory environment, and smoking or eating in the laboratory is not allowed.

3. Prepare for the experiment in advance by understanding the operating procedures and principles, and familiarize yourself with the properties of all chemicals. Be especially careful during operations that may pose hazards.

4. Use a spoon or tweezers to take solid medicines. Clean used spoons immediately, and any medicine spilled on the balance should be cleaned up immediately to ensure the balance remains clean.

5. When using an open flame for heating, pay attention to the properties of the heated items and the surrounding environment to avoid fire hazards. Extinguish matches immediately after use and do not discard them carelessly.

6. When pouring reagents or heating liquids, do not look directly into the container to prevent splashing. When heating a test tube, do not point the mouth of the test tube towards yourself or others, and move the test tube back and forth to ensure even heating and prevent liquid from splattering.

7. Unused reagents should not be returned to the bottle, thrown away, or taken out of the laboratory; they should be placed in designated containers. Waste liquids should be placed in designated containers for centralized recovery and disposal.

8. Handle thermometers gently; if broken, report it to the teacher immediately. Do not touch with your hands to avoid cuts or poisoning. If mercury spills, collect it immediately and cover the area with sulfur powder.

9. Do not wave sharp dissection tools or other small instruments carelessly to prevent injury.

10. If we need to mix water and concentrated acid, slowly pour the acid into the water while stirring to avoid localized overheating and splashing. If the acid-base reaction solution accidentally splashes onto the skin, rinse the skin with running water for 10 to 15 minutes.

Handle glassware carefully to avoid cuts. When stirring liquids in a container with a glass rod, operate the glass rod carefully and do not apply too much force.

After the experiment, wash hands thoroughly, and turn off water, electricity, lights, and gas when done.

I. Biological Safety Management in Laboratories

1. Laboratories should regularly provide education and training for research personnel to ensure they master laboratory information technology standards, operating procedures, biological safety knowledge, and practical skills, and conduct performance assessments. Only those who pass the assessment can work. Those who have not received professional training should not engage in related work.

2. Biological safety in laboratories is crucial for the safety of the human living environment, and the state attaches great importance to biological safety management. Laboratories must prioritize biological safety. Effective monitoring and prevention of biological contamination in laboratories should be conducted, with regular inspections and self-checks. Any safety hazards found should be reported, addressed, and resolved promptly.

3. Without approval from the Ministry of Agriculture or the Municipal Agricultural Bureau, it is prohibited to collect, transport, or receive materials related to major animal epidemics; materials preliminarily identified or confirmed as major animal epidemic materials must not be transferred or donated without authorization; samples must not be sent abroad or transported abroad without permission.

4. Biological laboratory waste (including animal carcasses, etc.) should be collected in dedicated containers and then subjected to high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization. Disposable gloves and items contaminated with EB carcinogens during biological experiments should be collected and disposed of uniformly and must not be discarded in regular trash bins.

5. Laboratory safety risk management personnel should develop biological safety operating procedures based on the specific conditions of the laboratory and provide biological safety cultural knowledge education and training for students entering the laboratory for experiments.

What is the purpose of a biological safety cabinet?

In biological laboratories, biological safety cabinets are commonly used equipment for handling samples with infection risks. As the first line of defense in laboratory biological safety protection, specimens and environmental safety equipment are the most basic safety protection devices. Biological safety cabinets not only provide a sterile environment for handling cells and tissues but also protect laboratory personnel from bioaerosols, splashes, and spills, as well as protect the environment from biological contamination.

The purpose of the biological safety cabinet is also very simple. It is mainly used to handle original cultures, strains, diagnostic specimens, and other infectious laboratory materials to protect the operator, laboratory environment, and materials, avoiding contact with infectious aerosols and splashes that may be generated during the above operations. Biological safety cabinets can be widely used in biological laboratories, medical and pharmaceutical industries, playing a very good role in improving process conditions and protecting the health of operators.

2. Classification of Biological Safety Cabinets

According to the garbage classification regulations managed by the Chinese international community standards, biological safety cabinets can be classified into Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. Currently, the most commonly used in laboratories is the Level 2 biological safety cabinet.

1. Level 1 Biological Safety Cabinet

The Level 1 biological safety cabinet can protect personnel and the environment but cannot protect samples. Since the unsterilized air indoors is blown directly onto the work surface through the front operating window of the biological safety cabinet, the Level 1 biological safety cabinet does not provide actual protection for the operating objects.

2. Level 2 Biological Safety Cabinet

The Level 2 biological safety cabinet is the most widely used type. Unfiltered air enters the grid plate through a built-in fan and is not contaminated by external air before reaching the working area. The air descends vertically and passes through a high-efficiency air filter. The descending airflow is separated from the work surface by 6 to 18 cm, and the resulting aerosols are discharged from the front and back of the work surface, providing protection for workers and experimental subjects.

3. Level 3 Biological Safety Cabinet

The Level 3 biological safety cabinet is the highest safety cabinet, suitable for Level 3 and Level 4 biological safety laboratories. The Level 3 biological safety cabinet is fully enclosed, and staff can operate through gloves connected to the cabinet body. Experimental products can enter and exit the safety cabinet through a double-door transfer box, ensuring no contamination, suitable for high-risk biological experiments.