Standard Microbiological Practices for Bio Safety Level 1

1. At the discretion of the principal investigator, access to the laboratory shall be limited or restricted while experiments are in progress.
   
   
2. A biohazard sign shall be posted at the entrance to the laboratory whenever infectious agents are present. The sign must include the name of the agent(s) in use and the name and phone number of the principal investigator.
   
   
3. Work surfaces shall be decontaminated once a day and after any spill of viable material.
   
   
4. All contaminated liquid or solid wastes shall be decontaminated before disposal. Contaminated materials that are to be decontaminated at a site outside the laboratory shall be placed in a durable, leakproof, closed container before being removed from the laboratory.
   
   
5. The laboratory shall have an established policy for the safe handling of sharps.
   
   
6. Mechanical pipetting devices shall be used; mouth pipetting is prohibited.
   
   
7. Eating, drinking, smoking, and applying cosmetics are not permitted in the work area. Food may be stored in cabinets and refrigerators designated and used for this purpose only. Food storage cabinets and refrigerators shall be located outside the work area.
   
   
8. Laboratory personnel shall wash their hands after they handle viable materials and animals and before leaving the laboratory.
   
   
9. All procedures shall be performed carefully to minimize the creation of aerosols.
   
   
10. An insect and rodent control program is in effect. At Northwestern, Facilities Management is responsible for the control of pests and should be contacted if insects or rodents not involved in research, or their wastes, are observed in the laboratory.