Biotech Lab Safety and Procedures

Objectives

• Maintain a scientific notebook that includes all laboratory procedures, data, and conclusions.
• PRACTICE SAFETY PROCEDURES –

The student will be able to:

Identify safety symbols and signs.

Identify appropriate safety procedures and guidelines.

Demonstrate an understanding of the emergency procedures in case of fire, burn, chemical spill or other hazardous situations.

Recognize laboratory safety hazards and avoid them.

Locate and be able to use emergency equipment, including first aid.

• Demonstrate knowledge of universal precautions for blood-borne pathogens
• Properly and safely operate scientific equipment including pipets,
• Make and use measurements in metric units.
• Interperet qualitative data.
• Evaluate the validity of results obtained during experimentation and product development.

Basic Lab Safety

Biotech Lab Safety Symbols and Rules

Info on Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

How to set up each lab.

Heading

Begin each lab on a new page. At the top of the page, write the title of the lab, page #'s top/bottom, and other information needed to be filled in according to your lab notebook set-up.

Background/Introduction

Write a short (1-3 sentences) summary of the background facts. Be complete, but don’t make it too long or wordy. Include any useful definitions, chemical formulas, equations, etc.

Purpose/Problem statement

Write the purpose of the lab or what you are investigating.

Hypothesis:

When necessary you will need to make a hypothesis but not always. (Think about what is the purpose of the lab)

Equipment and Materials

In this section you will write down all of the equipment and materials you will use in the lab in the form of a list. You will find the list in your lab manual or SOP (Standard Operating Procedures). Be sure to note any changes in equipment per your instructor.

Reagents: You may make a chart or list chemicals and samples you will use during the experiment. Sometimes you may need to include additional information such as description, quantity or lot#.

Procedure/Methods

Pretend you are telling someone else how to do the experiment so that they can get similar results. Record everything you do in the lab, even if you are following a published procedure. For example, if you started by obtaining a quantity of reagent from an instructor, then write down that you obtained the reagent, describe it, note how much, what condition, etc. How much you write down is up to you, but any relevant information should be there. For example, it doesn’t matter if you received a flask of ethanol in a red ice bucket or a black one. However, it does matter that the sample was on ice. If you change a protocol in any way or decide between alternative methods, then the correct information must be recorded in the notebook. While you are performing the experiment, write down observations and data collected. Don’t forget to include units! Be sure to note anything unusual or unexpected.

Data Tables

You will often (not always) need to set up a data table for recording your measurements. The data could be qualitative or quantitative (or both!). All figures need a proper title (caption), if many make sure you number them (this helps when you are describing data after the experiment so it can easily be located by anyone reading your notebook). Make sure all graphs are properly labelled.

Observations:

• During your lab indicate what sort of data or observations you collected, samples you saved (and where and how you saved them), or any other relevant information that wraps up the study. Sometimes your observations can't be something that you jot in a table or chart. You will want to make note of any sources of error or unusual results. Take note of information that will be relevant to the findings or results of your experiment.

Data Analysis:

• You will sometimes need to provide graphs or explanations of your data. What does it all mean, how does your data compare. Include any significant results that should be particularly mentioned

Conclusions: Summary of experiments that include evidence that supports the concluding statement.

As you record your activities in the laboratory, ask yourself, "Did I..."

• Keep up with the table of contents?
• Date each page?
• Number each page consecutively?
• Use continuation notes when necessary?
• Properly void all blank pages or portions of pages (front and back)?
• Enter all information directly into the notebook?
• Properly introduce and summarize each experiment?
• Include complete details of all first-time procedures?
• Include calculations? Diagrams? sketches?