Biological Safety Cabinets Procedures

Questions and Answers

What is the correct protocol for purging a Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC) before use?

Allow the air to purge for 5 minutes with no activity inside. (correct)

Introduce all materials into the cabinet before purging.

Leave the blower off and start working immediately.

Perform a full cleaning of the cabinet before purging.

What should be done with interior surfaces of a BSC before starting procedures?

Only disinfect surfaces after completing all procedures.

Wipe down only the work surface with a damp cloth.

Leave the surfaces untouched for safety.

Spray or swab all interior surfaces with an appropriate disinfectant. (correct)

During the preparation for working in a BSC, which of the following is NOT a recommended step?

Turn on fluorescent lights.

Allow air to purge workspace.

Check air grilles for obstructions.

Start the procedure without checking supplies. (correct)

When assembling materials in a BSC, what should be the placement of contaminated material containers?

At the right rear of the cabinet. Signup and view all the answers

What personal protective equipment should be donned before starting procedures in a BSC?

Protective clothing, gloves, and mask as appropriate. Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct procedure upon finishing work in a BSC?

Perform terminal disinfection and allow air purge. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions is prohibited while working in a BSC?

Removing hands from the work space until procedures are complete. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done after using a BSC and before shutting down?

Refill the disinfectant and prepare for the next user. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of clean air benches?

To only protect the product from contamination Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with the caps of containers before loading them into an autoclave?

They must be loosened Signup and view all the answers

How full should containers be when loaded into an autoclave?

They should not exceed 2/3 full Signup and view all the answers

What is not a recommended practice when using an autoclave?

Loading incompatible plastic materials Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if an autoclave has items that are still bubbling after being removed?

Let them stand for a full hour before touching Signup and view all the answers

What is essential before using an autoclave?

Training from designated personnel Signup and view all the answers

How should solid waste bags be prepared for the autoclave?

They should be open to allow steam penetration Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an important step when removing items from an autoclave?

Wait a specified time depending on the load type Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biological Safety Cabinets (BSC)

Use BSC when handling pathogens, tissue cultures, and human samples.

Preparation

Activate fluorescent lights and inspect air grilles for blockages.
Turn on blower and allow air to purge for 5 minutes before beginning work.

Disinfection and Material Handling

Spray or swab all interior surfaces with an appropriate disinfectant (germicide).
Preplan and organize all necessary supplies for the procedure.
Introduce only the necessary materials to avoid obstructing air intake or exhaust.
Position items to keep clean and contaminated materials separate, placing contaminated item containers in the rear right.

Procedure Execution

Don appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and masks.
Maintain hands within the workspace throughout the procedure, moving from clean to discard areas.
Dispose of gloves in the contaminated material container after completing procedures.

Post-Use Procedures

Allow another air purge period without activity while the blower remains on.
Perform terminal disinfection using fresh gloves, moving materials to designated containers, and disinfecting all internal surfaces.
Turn off the blower and replenish communal supplies like disinfectant.

Clean Air Benches

Clean air benches do not provide user protection against pathogens and should never be used with biohazardous materials.

Autoclaves

Autoclaves sterilize items potentially exposed to biohazards using steam and pressure, requiring caution during use.
Obtain training from designated personnel (Urmila Basu, Kelley Dunfield, Heather Vandertol-Vanier, or Jackson Mah) before operating an autoclave.

Guidelines for Autoclaving

Avoid overloading; containers should not exceed 2/3 full.
Use autoclave-safe containers to prevent spillage and avoid placing plastic materials incompatible with the autoclave inside.
Loosen caps on liquid containers prior to loading.
Ensure the autoclave door is securely closed before starting the cycle.

Safety Practices

Utilize heat-resistant gloves when opening the autoclave post-cycle.
Wait 5 minutes for dry glassware and 10 minutes for liquids before removing items from the autoclave.
Allow autoclaved liquids to sit for an hour before handling with ungloved hands to prevent burns or spills.

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Description

This quiz covers the standard operating procedures for using Biological Safety Cabinets (BSC) in laboratories, particularly when handling biohazardous materials. It details essential preparation steps and safety considerations necessary for working with pathogens and human samples. Test your knowledge on these critical safety protocols.