School of Pharmacy & Biomolecular Sciences
Student Safety & Study Skills
Handbook 11/12

• University information
• School information
• Laboratory safety rules
• General laboratory rules
• The laboratory handling of human body fluids and tissues
• Safety in microbiology

The Laboratory Handling of Human Body Fluids and Tissues

The occurrence of AIDS has drawn the matter of laboratory safety to the forefront when dealing with samples of human origin. AIDS is a disease that damages the immune system of the body. This results in susceptibility to a variety of infective agents and some unusual forms of cancer. The human immunodeficiency virus may be transmitted by the percutaneous inoculation of blood. However, there are also other infectious diseases that may be transmitted when handling specimens in the laboratory. Bacterial, fungal and viral agents may cause infections with tuberculosis, hepatitis and enteric diseases.

The major routes of acquisition of laboratory infection include aerosol, mucous membrane (including enteric) and percutaneous. Such exposure can be minimised by following certain laboratory safety procedures.

This notice outlines the procedures which MUST be adopted when handling specimens of human origin in the laboratories of the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton.

Such specimens are obtained essentially from two sources, which are:

• student volunteers in the form of blood following finger puncture and of urine.
• commercial suppliers and local hospitals, referred to as provided samples.

1. Obtaining blood samples by finger puncture
   
   (i) Students MUST NOT puncture other students’ fingers.
   
   (ii) Students MUST ONLY handle their own blood.
   
   (iii) Immediately after use, all disposable items, i.e. swabs and lancets, must be placed in the container provided (e.g. a Cinbin). Under no circumstances should these items be placed on bench surfaces.
   
   (iv) Immediately after use, all glassware, i.e. blood diluting pipettes, haemocytometer chambers, cover slips and cuvettes, must be placed in the lidded bucket containing decontaminant (0.05% sodium hypochlorite). Under no circumstances should these items be placed on bench surfaces.
   
   (v) If blood is inadvertently spilled on any laboratory surface, the student must don a pair of disposable gloves and swab the affected area with 0.05% sodium hypochlorite solution. All swabs together with the gloves should be placed in the container provided (e.g. a Cinbin).
   
   (vi) The contamination of ANY instrument e.g. spectrophotometer, must be reported to a member of the academic staff IMMEDIATELY so that decontamination procedures may be instituted.
   
   
2. (i) It is permissible to handle urine samples provided by students other than yourself.
   
   (ii) Disposable gloves MUST be worn whenever such samples are being handled.
   
   (iii) After use, disposable gloves must be placed in the container provided (e.g. a Cinbin) and not placed on bench surfaces.
   
   (iv) Any urine which is surplus to requirements must be flushed down the toilet as soon as possible and not left standing on bench surfaces.
   
   (v) All glassware must be treated as in 1(d) above.
   
   (vi) All spillages must be treated as in 1(e) above.
   
   (vii) The contamination of any instrument must be treated as in 1(f) above.
   
   (viii) Any student who becomes contaminated MUST inform a member of the academic staff IMMEDIATELY so that decontamination procedures may be instituted.
   
   (ix) Any process of centrifugation may require the use of either sealed buckets or sealed centrifuge tubes. You will be advised accordingly by a member of the academic staff.
   
   (x) Always perform as many procedures as possible in a biological safety cabinet. You will be advised accordingly by a member of the academic staff.
   
   (xi) Before leaving the laboratory hands should be thoroughly washed with soap and water.
3. Handling of provided samples
   
   (i) Always assume that provided samples are potentially infectious and therefore wear disposable gloves at all times.
   
   (ii) All disposable gloves must be treated as in 1(c) above.
   
   (iii) All glassware must be treated as in 1(d) above.
   
   (iv) All spillages must be treated as in 1(e) above.
   
   (v) Any residual sample which is surplus to requirements must be re-sealed and placed in the lidded bucket containing decontaminant (0.05% sodium hypochlorite).
   
   (vi) The contamination of any instrument must be treated as in 1(f) above.
   
   (vii) Any process of centrifugation may require the use of either sealed buckets or sealed centrifuge tubes. You will be advised accordingly by a member of the academic staff.
   
   (viii) Always perform as many procedures as possible in a biological safety cabinet. You will be advised accordingly by a member of the academic staff.
   
   (ix) Before leaving the laboratory, disposable gloves must be placed in the container provided (a Cinbin) and hands should be thoroughly washed with soap and water.