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Urg, can you believe it? The holiday season finally came to an end. Well, technically it ended on January 4. And what does that mean to us, lab people? It means we are back in the lab. Well, I feel you, guys. It is really hard to start working again after the holidays. Perhaps, many of us are suffering from post-holiday blues, or worse post-holiday syndrome. We can't deny it ~ after the holiday break, we may feel sad or unhappy. Don't be alarmed. It is a normal phenomenon. Hmm, I know it is hard but we should accept reality, right? Look into the bright side ~ you will be again culturing microbes. For sure, they have missed you.
So what are you waiting for?
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But wait! Before you streak your Petri dishes, check first if it is safe to work in your laboratory, especially in your biological safety cabinet.
So here are a few questions for you to answer.
1. Is my BSC certified?
It is a brand new year, so for biosafety cabinets that have not been certified yet, better contact your service provider and ask for re-certification of your BSC. BSC certification is needed to ensure that:
- its performance meets manufacturer's specifications
- the filter is not damaged, if physically relocated
- the cabinet's airflow and containment factors are within safe limits.
2. Do I wear the necessary PPEs?
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Sometimes, holiday season may cause us to forget all these laboratory protocols. Well, before you handle your specimens, make sure you are wearing necessary personal protective equipment. This is to minimize exposure to biohazards.
3. Have I allowed my BSC to purge prior to start of work?
To purge means to allow time for contaminated air to be removed from the cabinet environment. Yes, despite being unused during the holidays, the air inside your BSC should be purged. Better safe than sorry, ayt? Leave the blower on for at least 5 minutes before using the cabinet.
4. Is the alarm of my BSC functioning?
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Better check if the alarm is working or not, before you start your work. This is to ensure that your BSC is fully operational, including the alarms. Some BSCs have sophisticated alarm system, including sash alarms. Try to move the sash to an improper position. You will expect that the sash alarm will sound. Make sure the alarm is not in mute though. If the alarm still does not sound, then there's something wrong with your BSC. Consult your service engineer for assistance.
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5. Have I surface-decontaminated my BSC work zone?
Same with purge cycles, your BSC work zone should be decontaminated prior to start of work even if it is unused during the holiday break. Materials to be placed inside the BSC should also be surface-decontaminated. Do not forget to surface decontaminate all items within the BSC and remove from the cabinet when work is completed.
6. Am I using a Bunsen burner inside the BSC?
Oops, do not forget that a Bunsen burner should not be used inside the BSC since it can cause airflow disturbance and can endanger you. Your samples will also be at risk of cross contamination. When absolutely necessary, ON/OFF switching type, or electric burners can be used.
I bet you are ready to work after you've answered the questions above.
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