Lab safety even during Christmas season.

It is the most awaited time of the year! Finally, it is Christmas Season!

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Yet, there is still a lot of work to be done in the laboratory - from culturing of bacteria to decontamination of lab materials to washing of Petri dishes. 

Oopps. I know what you're thinking. Ha ha. Don't leave your lab untidy! Unless you want to be the next Alexander Fleming who first discovered the first antibiotic, Penicillin.

Here is a recap on how Penicillin was discovered.

Dr. Alexander Fleming was a bacteriologist at St. Mary's Hospital. In September of 1928, Dr. Fleming found a messy lab bench upon returning from a summer vacation. Upon checking a Petri dish containing colonies of Staphylococcus aureus, he noted that it was contaminated with a mold (Penicillium notatum). He viewed the dishes under his microscope, and was amazed to find that P. notatum prevented the growth of S. aureus. And the rest is history, as people always say. See blog: The real story behind penicillin.   

Thanks to Dr. Fleming for discovering Penicillin!

I know you're excited to leave your lab and celebrate Christmas, but please do not leave your lab as it is - dirty, untidy, messy, unclean. Instead of discovering another antibiotic, you may put yourself, your environment and the public at risk. 

As a safety precaution, here are a few reminders.

1. Before leaving for the holidays, make sure you have cleaned your lab, especially the lab work surfaces with appropriate disinfectant. 

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2. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (e.g. gloves, lab gowns, etc.) when working inside the laboratory. You may have a party but remind yourself your street clothing may become contaminated when you do not use PPEs.

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3. Never leave materials or contaminated labware open to the environment outside the BSC. You may induce the mutation of microbes!

4. Store securely all biohazardous materials in labeled, sealed containers.

5. Avoid generating aerosols when working with infectious materials. You may be excited to go out and celebrate but you may be generating aerosols if you move fast or conduct aerosol-generating procedures.

For those who will be celebrating the holidays in the laboratory: 

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1. Never eat, drink, apply cosmetics or lip balm, or take medication in the laboratory.

2. Hand washing is essential after removing gloves and other PPE, after handling potentially infectious agents or materials and prior to exiting the laboratory.

3. Follow your Laboratory Safety Rules, even during holidays. 

Think safety at all times, even during holidays. 

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References:

Markel, Dr Howard. "The Real Story Behind Penicillin." The Rundown 2013. Web. 18 Dec. 2015.

Principles Of Good Microbiological Practice. 1st ed. OSHA. Web. 18 Dec. 2015.