Team:SNU India/Safety
SAFETY
Biosafety is a quintessential thing to us
Lab safety
Our team members were trained in basic laboratory techniques. We have gone through proper biosafety training to handle organisms and equipment’s in lab. We have safety information handouts at each bench, proper handling instructions and waste disposal systems in place. Proper biosafety protocols, emergency procedures and fire safety was followed before any experiment was started. Our team members were trained in handling non-hazardous micro-organisms including E.coli and algae. Hazardous chemicals were handled in the fume hood, kept in the chemistry lab. We followed proper precautions for disposal with separate discards for dry, wet, chemical and autoclavable waste which includes all algae and bacterial wastes. All work was done under the supervision of the PhD students and the faculty.
Handling organisms
We only worked with E.coli strains which are BSL-1 certified organisms. These organisms even though pose no risks to humans, we took all necessary precautions when handling them. Proper disposal process (autoclaving) was followed to prevent escape of such transformed bacteria into the environment. Also we used proper PPEs such as lab coats and gloves at all times when handling anything in the lab. All experiments were done inside BSLII hoods. Proper sterilization of workbench was done using 70% ethanol before and after work. The other micro-organism we worked with is algae. This is also a whitelist organism, posing no risk to humans. Our team members were trained in handling algal cultures. Handling of this organism was done inside biosafety cabinets rated BSLII. Proper discard procedures were adopted for disposal of algal waste.
