Each student enrolled in a microbiology laboratory must follow specific safety rules and procedures.

• Access to the laboratory is restricted to persons with an understanding of the safety practices employed in the laboratory.
• Students are not permitted to work without a staff member being present in the laboratory.
• No food or drinks are permitted in the laboratory at any time.
• All unnecessary books, purses, briefcases, etc., must be kept off the lab, left in the cupboards on the hall.
• Long sleeved laboratory coats must be worn and buttoned while in the laboratory. Laboratory coats should not be worn outside the laboratory. Keep them in a dedicated plastic bag. Coats should be laundered at least fortnightly.
• Long hair should be secured behind your head.
• Cover any open cuts on hands and other exposed skin surfaces and/or wear gloves.
• For routine work in the microbiology laboratory, gloves are not considered essential.
• Gloves should be worn under the following circumstances;
• When wiping up a spill.
• When performing procedures where there is a high risk of contaminating hands.
• If open cuts or skin conditions are present that increase the risk of infection from accidental contamination.
• When instructed by the demonstrator
• Keep hands and other objects away from your face, nose, eyes, ears, and mouth.
• Work areas/surfaces must be disinfected before and after use.
• Hands must be washed before leaving the laboratory.
• Dispose wastes in their proper containers.
• Return all reagents, cultures, and glassware to their appropriate places.
• Flame transfer loops before and immediately after use to transfer biological material.
• If you are working with a sample that may contain a pathogen, then be extremely careful to use good bacteriological technique. Do exactly what you are told and shown to do.
• Be careful around Bunsen burners. Turn off Bunsen burners when not in use.
• Report any broken equipment. Immediately report any broken glass, especially those containing infectious materials.
• If you are injured in the laboratory, immediately contact your course instructor. Any chemical or biological fluid spills must be immediately reported to your course instructor
• Always wipe and clean the lenses of your microscope before putting it away. Use the appropriate tissue paper and cleaning solution for this purpose.
• Do not remove any materials from the laboratory.
• Any student that has a medical condition that they feel might be compromised by exposure to reagents or cultures in the laboratory is encouraged to discuss the matter with the demonstrator.