Standard Operating Procedure- SOP

Name of institution

Safe Manipulation ID Code:

Ap 2

Topic & Purpose: Review Period:

Explains the rules" for laboratory safe 1 year
operation

Location: Distribution:

Version number: Annex:

V 1.0 None

Written by:

Name(s), Date(s) and Signature(s) of the Author(s)

Reviewed by:

Name(s), Date(s) and Signature(s)

Authorized by:

Name, Date and Signature

Replaces the version:

Not applicable (1st version)

Changes to the last authorized version:

Not applicable (1st version)
Institution: Version: 1.0 Date: Number of pages: Name of ID Code: Ap 2
5 procedure:
Safe Manipulation QM chapter: 4
Procedure

Safe Manipulation Procedure

Application.........................................................................................................2
Objective............................................................................................................2
Definitions..........................................................................................................2
References.........................................................................................................2
Responsibilities..................................................................................................2
Operating mode.................................................................................................2
Related documents............................................................................................5

Application
This procedure ensures safety of laboratory staff.

Objective
This procedure summarizes laboratory safety practices that help ensure the
safe operation of the laboratory.

Definitions
To be filled in if necessary

References
WHO. Laboratory Biosafety Manual. Third edition. Geneva, World Health
Organization, 2004
(http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/biosafety/WHO_CDS_CSR_LY
O_2004_11/en/, accessed 28 August 2013).

OSHA. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

standards for bloodborne pathogens. Washington, Occupational
Safety and Health Administration, 2001
(https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/standards.ht
ml, accessed 28 August 2013).

Responsibilities
Safe laboratory practices are the responsibility of all laboratory personnel.

The Biosafety Officer supervises laboratory safety procedures.

Operating mode
Safe laboratory practices require that laboratory personnel:
Do not work alone without prior approval.
Develop safe work practices and avoid careless actions.

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Be alert to unsafe conditions and immediately notify the Biosafety

Officer of unsafe conditions.
Become familiar with the laboratorys emergency equipment (e.g.
eyewash, safety shower, and fire extinguisher).
Follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the laboratory.
Never pipette by mouth.
Perform all technical procedures in a way that minimizes the formation
of aerosols and droplets.
Do not eat, drink, smoke, store food, or apply cosmetics in laboratory
work areas (refer to SOP Restricted Area, Signs and Labels).
Do not lick labels or place any materials (e.g. pencils or pens) into the
mouth when in laboratory work areas.
Keep the laboratory neat, clean and free of materials that are not
pertinent to the work (refer to SOP Laboratory Washing Benches and
Floors).
Do not wear open-toed footwear.
Store protective laboratory clothing (e.g. laboratory coats) in a separate
location from street clothing.
Do not permit any animals not involved in the work of the laboratory in
or near the laboratory.
Do not use broken or damaged glassware.
Display the international biohazard sign (refer to SOP Restricted Area,
Signs and Labels) on the doors of rooms where Risk Group 2 or higher
risk groups microorganisms are handled.
Decontaminate all work surfaces after any spill of potentially dangerous
material as well as at the end of the working day (refer to SOP
Laboratory Washing Benches and Floors).
Decontaminate all used laboratory materials, specimens and cultures
prior to either disposal or cleaning for reuse.
a. Place items to be decontaminated in leak-proof, color-coded
plastic biohazard bags for autoclaving or incineration on the
premises.
b. The bags should be supported in rigid containers while being
filled.
c. If it is necessary to move the biohazard bags to another site for
decontamination, place the bags in leak-proof (i.e. solid-
bottomed) containers, which can be closed before they are
removed from the laboratory (refer to SOP Sterilization by Dry
Heat, SOP Sterilization by Wet Heat, SOP Disinfection and
Chemical Cold Sterilization, and SOP Waste Disposal).
Always wash hands after handling animals or potentially infectious
materials and before leaving the laboratory (refer to SOP Hand
Washing).
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), refer to SOP
Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment.
a. Wear laboratory coveralls, gowns or uniforms for work in the
laboratory and do NOT wear these in non-laboratory areas such

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as offices, libraries, staff rooms and canteens. Decontaminate

used laboratory clothing by appropriate methods (refer to SOP
Washing of Tissue, Laboratory Coat).
b. Wear safety glasses, face shields (visors) or other protective
devices when it is necessary to protect the eyes and face from
splashes and/or projectiles.
c. Use appropriate gloves for all procedures that may involve
accidental direct contact with blood, infectious materials or
infected animals.
i. Remove disposable gloves aseptically and autoclave
them with other laboratory wastes before disposal (refer
to SOP Waste Disposal).
ii. Wash reusable gloves prior to and after removal from the
hands; after removal these gloves must be cleaned and
disinfected before reuse.
iii. Wash hands after laboratory glove removal (refer to SOP
Hand Washing).
Limit the use of hypodermic needles and syringes to primarily
parenteral injection and aspiration of fluids from laboratory animals.
a. Avoid using hypodermic needles and syringes to extract fluid
from diaphragm bottles (opening devices are available, which
permit the use of pipettes).
b. Do not use hypodermic needles and syringes as substitutes for
pipetting devices in the manipulation of infectious fluids.
c. Use cannulas instead of needles whenever possible.
Immediately report all spills, accidents and overt or potential exposures
to infectious materials to the laboratory supervisor and maintain a
written record of such accidents and incidents (refer to SOP
Occurrence Report).
Inform the Biosafety Officer of any biosafety problem or concern.

The laboratory Biosafety Officer should ensure that:

Sufficient training in laboratory safety is provided; for example,
personnel should be advised of special hazards and required to read,
understand and follow standard practices and procedures (refer to
SOP Biosafety Management).
Only those persons who have been advised of the potential hazards
and who meet specific entry requirements (e.g. immunization) are
allowed to enter the laboratory working areas (refer to SOP Vaccination
for Laboratory Staff and SOP Restricted Area, Signs and Labels).
a. Restrict laboratory and animal areas access to authorized
personnel.
b. Keep laboratory doors closed when work is in progress.
c. Exclude children from laboratory working areas.
An appropriate medical evaluation, surveillance and treatment program
is available to laboratory personnel (refer to SOP Medical Surveillance
of Personnel Exposed to Biohazards).

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a. Baseline serum samples may be collected from laboratory staff

and other persons at risk. These should be stored as
appropriate.
b. Additional specimens should be collected periodically depending
on the organisms handled and the function of the laboratory.
SOP Minor Occurrence or SOP Major Occurrence is referenced for any
reported biosafety problem and then, if needed, the problem is reported
to the Biosafety Committee to find a solution.

Related documents
SOP Biosafety Management Ref XXX
SOP Disinfection and Chemical Cold Sterilization Ref XXX
SOP Hand Washing Ref XXX
SOP Laboratory Washing Benches and Floors Ref XXX
SOP Major Occurrence Ref XXX
SOP Medical Surveillance of Personnel Exposed to Biohazards Ref XXX
SOP Minor Occurrence Ref XXX
SOP Occurrence Report Ref XXX
SOP Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment Ref XXX
SOP Restricted Area, Signs and Labels Ref XXX
SOP Sterilization by Dry Heat Ref XXX
SOP Sterilization by Wet Heat Ref XXX
SOP Vaccination for Laboratory Staff Ref XXX
SOP Washing of Tissue, Laboratory Coat Ref XXX
SOP Waste Disposal Ref XXX