1.2

• Laminar flow cabinet - Provides a flow of filtered air for a clean work area in the laminar flow cabinet.
• Biological safety cabinet - Provides an enclosed work space to study materials that have been (or are likely to have been) contaminated by pathogens.
• Goggles - To protect the eyes from hazardous chemicals
• Face mask - To protect against smoke, vapour and dust that can affect the respiratory system
• Laboratory gloves - To handle biological samples
• Handwash - To remove germs on hands
• Substances that can be disposed into the sink

  • Chemicals with pH values 5–9

  • Low concentration liquids and solutions that are

  harmless to users (sucrose solution, dye solution,

  distilled water)
• Emergency shower station - Used when chemicals or hazardous substances come into contact with the skin.

  
• Eye wash station - Used to wash the eyes when exposed to chemicals or hazardous substances.

  
• Fume hood - To avoid breathing in hazardous gases like chlorine, bromine and nitrogen dioxide.

  
• Substances that cannot be disposed into the sink

  • Organic solvents (acetone, alcohol, benzene)

  • Substances that have a pH value of less than 5 or more than 9

  • Chemicals (acids, greases, oils)

  • Solid waste (chemicals, glass, rubber)

  • Heavy metals (mercury)

  • Volatile substances

  • Toxic substances

  • Organic waste (microorganisms, carcases)

  • Reactive substances

  • Radioactive substances
• Category A (sharp wastes) - Placed into a special bin for sharp material disposal. This bin does not need to be sterilised.
• Category B (non-sharp wastes) - Packed first in autoclave resistant biohazard plastic bags, sterilised in an autoclave for decontamination, and then placed into a biohazard bin. Biohazard plastic bags cannot be thrown into regular waste baskets.
• Category C (animal carcases) - Wrapped carefully in absorbent material (such as tissue papers), packed carefully into a biohazard

  plastic bag and frozen.
• Category D (liquids) - All biological liquid waste must be decontaminated by autoclaving before disposal. Sterilised biological liquid wastes must be disposed immediately.
• Steps to handle general chemical spills

  1. Inform your teacher

  2. Declare the spill area as a restricted zone.

  3. Prevent the chemical spill from spreading using sand.

  4. Scoop up the chemical spill using appropriate equipment.

  5. Dispose it safely.
• STEPS TO HANDLE MERCURY SPILLS

  1. Inform your teacher.

  2. Declare the spill area as a restricted zone.

  3. Sprinkle sulphur to cover the mercury spills.

  4. Call the fire and rescue department.