Suitable upkeep of lab equipment should take precedent in a lab second only to safety. In any type of lab, contamination can stop a project in its tracks or invalidate lab results altogether. Typically, maintenance tends to hold one of the top budget spots for lab maintenance, and even though the costs are great, it is much safer and cheaper in the grand scheme of things. Below, tips on how to keep lab equipment clean and safety precautions will get more of a thorough examination with some reasoning too.
Medical Lab Techs and Sanitation
Although most labs and office buildings containing them have a custodial staff, it is crucial for medical lab techs to perform two main essential functions. The first important task to have everything volatile and stable labeled because the combination of stable elements can also become dangerous depending on the mix, so organizing and labeling is essential. The other important task is sanitation because lab techs often deal with blood, urine, and feces, and some of them can be highly infectious.
Preventing Cross-Contamination
Avoiding cross contamination of some of the things above is another important task. Contaminating samples by not keeping them separated will ruin the lab specimens. Finally, no matter what the sample is, even if it is human feces, the containers holding the samples have to be sterilized and isolated by sample type.
Keeping Glassware Clean and Sterilized Inside the Laboratory Environment
Clean and sterile glassware is absolutely indispensable, particularly in what needs to be a sterile medical laboratory. Sample and specimen tainting can lead to inaccurate test results and complete negligence in others. Every piece and instrument of glassware has to be entirely free of grease and any other contamination. Also, it is especially important to make sure glassware is uninfected when it is being utilized as measuring equipment for the volume of liquids. Grease or other impurities will prevent the glass from being uniformly wetted. This will keep the liquid from adhering completely to the walls, which may result in erroneous volume measurements.
Labeling and Pipettes
Just to sum some things up and reiterate a few of the most import points, always remember during routine lab work and after clean up to keep safety as your number one priority. Ensure samples, specimens and chemicals are organized and marked for the next shift of technicians and people on duty for cleaning. There are some basic and advanced precautions to keep in mind when preparing to do the job. For starters, never pipette orally, even if the substance, is just water. Always use a pipette bulb or an automated pipette. Follow the dress code stringently for the cleaning position.
This means making sure your legs, arms, feet and hands are covered and protected. Also, trade out contact lenses for safety goggle when on lab cleaning duty. Learn how to employ safety instruments, including the showers, fire extinguishers, eyewash and fire extinguishers to ensure your employment, as a lab-cleaning tech remains long and injury free for everyone.
