Team:HUBU-WUHAN/Safety
SAFETY
General lab safety
The iGEM Team HUBU-WUHAN is in full compliance with the safety and security rules of the iGEM competition.
The team comes from Hubei University, which is under the biosafety level 1. This level is sufficient for all our experiments. Before we started our work in the lab, all team members had to pass different safety tests and receive formal trainings. The safety tests include introduction of laboratory instruments (i.e. Thermo Cycler, Ultraviolet Spectrophotometer, Plate Reader), and also chemicals used in the laboratory (i.e. Ammonium Bisulfate, Sulphuric Acid). Moreover, we were required to participate in the mandatory university security introductions, including explanation of reanimation equipment, first aid and escape routes. At all times, at least one instructor or postgraduate was present when work was conducted in the laboratory.
PROJECT SPECIFIC LABORATORY SAFETY
| Strains | |
|---|---|
| Name | Risk Group |
| Zymomonas mobilis | 1 link |
| E.coli | 1 link |
| This year, our project involves basic genetic operation on the Zymomonas mobilis (ZM4). According to DSMZ , it is defined as the Risk 1 Group with low potential risk. In our wet lab, all the upstream genetic engineering operations, such as transformation, vector expression and protein characterization, are strictly obeyed the regulations and supervised by instructors or senior graduate students. | |
| Chemical products | |
|---|---|
| Name | Safety Data |
| Sulphuric Acid | |
| Ammonium Bisulfate |  |
| Dimethyl sulfoxide |  |
PROJECT SPECIFIC LABORATORY SAFETY
1.Safety requirements for electricity use
Strengthen the awareness of safe use of electricity. Do not pull electric wires without permission.
The installation and use management of electrical equipment in the laboratory must comply with the regulations on safe use of electricity and high-power experiment equipment electricity must use special line, strictly prohibit to share with lighting line, beware of fire due to overload electricity.
Avoid overload of electrical socket.
According to the actual situation, a person should be on duty during the operation of the electrical equipment in the laboratory and other electric heating appliances.
Check electrical wiring and ventilation equipment at any time, report any damage or failure for repairment.
In case of fire due to circuit fault, cut off the power immediately and put out the fire in time with the fire extinguisher.
2.Fire safety regulations
Smoking is not allowed in the laboratory. The smoking area is outside the gate of each building.
Inflammable and explosive articles have a greater risk of fire. They must be properly stored in different categories, strictly managed, well ventilated and clearly marked.
Open fire electric stove, fast heating and electric heating device are prohibited in the laboratory.
The laboratory must be equipped with a fire extinguisher. The fire extinguishers should be stored in a conspicuous and accessible place (usually on either side of the door). The fire extinguishers should be inspected annually by a qualified company.
All the laboratory staffs should be able to use the fire extinguisher correctly, report and dispose the fire danger in time, actively deal with the fire and alarm in time.
3.Waterproofing safety regulations
Always close the faucet in the laboratory to prevent flooding; Keep the laboratory dry and avoid damp and mildew.
4.Instrument safety
The installation and operation of the experimental apparatus and equipment shall be carried out strictly in accordance with relevant regulations and operating procedures location storage, and regular maintenance.
Large and precise instruments and equipments shall be taken care of and managed by special persons with safe operation procedures and use records.
Users of large instruments should be familiar with the basic principles, experimental methods and operating procedures of the instruments, and be clear about the scope and application of the instruments, test sample requirements, and carefully fill in the instrument use record.
In the use of high temperature and high pressure equipment, to ensure that the temperature control can be normal operation, pressure stability, and require someone to watch.
5.Regulations on use, storage and operation of chemical products
Before using chemical drugs, check the instructions in details, fully understand the physical and chemical properties of chemical drugs, and strictly follow the operating procedures and use methods.
To strengthen the management of hazardous chemicals, toxic and harmful experimental supplies should be kept by specially-assigned persons, and a registration system should be implemented. Special protection should be taken when using toxic and harmful experimental materials.
Do not store large quantities of flammable and explosive chemicals and consumables in the laboratory.
Toxic and harmful chemical wastes should be collected by classification, stored in appropriate containers and stored at fixed points.
GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF CHEMICALS AND INSTRUMENTS
1.Regulations on use, storage and operation of chemical products
Before using chemical drugs, check the instructions in detail, fully understand the physical and chemical properties of chemical drugs, and strictly follow the operating procedures and use methods.
To strengthen the management of hazardous chemicals, toxic and harmful experimental supplies should be kept by specially-assigned persons, and a registration system should be implemented. Special protection should be taken when using toxic and harmful experimental materials.
Do not store large quantities of flammable and explosive chemicals and consumables in the laboratory.
Toxic and harmful chemical wastes should be collected by classification, stored in appropriate containers.
2.The use of refrigerators and ultra-low temperature refrigerators
Refrigerators and ultra-low temperature refrigerators should proceed regular defrost to ensure better refrigeration effect. The space around the refrigerator should be kept at a distance of more than 30cm to ensure heat dissipation.
It is forbidden to place volatile, flammable solvents in the refrigerator.
Do not store open containers of reagents in the refrigerator.
Do not store food in the laboratory refrigerator.
Chemicals and other goods should be stacked orderly in the ultra-low temperature refrigerator for easy sorting.
3.Use of centrifuge
Please read the instruction carefully.
Choose a suitable centrifugal tube. Generally, the liquid should not exceed 2/3 of the volume of the centrifugal tube to prevent liquid overflow.
Before use, the rotor must be weighed and balanced symmetrically. The centrifugal tube must be placed in the rotating head symmetrically. Please note that the centrifugal tube containing liquid and the sleeve must be weighed and balanced.
Once the centrifuge starts running, pay attention to observation and keep a certain distance from the centrifuge to prevent the drill bit from flying out and hurting people before the speed rises to the set value. If any abnormal sound was heard during the centrifugal process, the centrifuge should be immediately stopped. After the centrifuge process completely finished, the centrifuge can be opened to take out samples.
4.Use of autoclave
Please read the instruction carefully.
The sterilizing pot shall be operated by qualified personnel who have been trained, and the whole sterilizing process shall be supervised by specially-assigned personnel.
Do not rely on automatic water level protection, should always pay attention to the water level. Do not to burn out the electric heat pipe.
When the sterilizer is under pressure, the interlock handle cannot be lifted and the door cannot be forced to open.
After sterilizing the liquid, steam should be released slowly. Open the door only when the temperature of the liquid drops to safety level. Do not open the door immediately after sterilization.
5.Ultraviolet disinfection
UV disinfection is only applicable to indoor environment or physical surface disinfection.
Ultraviolet ray has harmful effect to human body. Do not work directly below ultraviolet lamp when it is on.
ENFORCEMENT
Team members who violate safety rules are required to work under the supervision of the experiment staff for the remainder of the week, or until the safety officer believes the member is capable of performing the task independently. For multiple infractions or complete disregard to safety protocols, a member may be restricted from laboratory work until he/she undergoes training again, and demonstrates proper performance to a team leader of failed technique(s) in a controlled setting.