Biosafety Measures for TB Laboratories: Code of Practice [Laboratory Access, Procedure and PPE]

What is a Code of Practice?

A code of practice describes the laboratory practices and procedures essential for implementing good, i.e., safe microbiological techniques.

It includes:

• Laboratory access
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Laboratory procedures

Laboratory Access

• International biohazard warning symbols and signs must be displayed on the laboratory door (Figure 1).
• Only authorized persons should be allowed to enter the laboratory’s working areas.
• Children should not be authorized or allowed to enter the laboratory’s working areas.

Figure 1: Lab door with Biohazard Symbol

Practices to Minimize Aerosol Generation in TB Laboratories (Figure 2)   

• Use disposable loops or incinerators to sterilize loops.
• Always open and manipulate specimens and cultures in a certified Biosafety Cabinet (BSC). 
• Work over absorbent material soaked in disinfectant.
• Use centrifuge safety cups and open them in the BSC.
• Never express all the liquid in the pipette (leave the last bit inside the tip). 
• Use caution when disrupting bubbles in tubes of liquid media.

Figure 2: Minimize aerosol production in lab

Personal Protective Equipment (Figure 3)   

• Protective clothing: Surgical gowns and lab coats
• Respiratory devices: N95 respirators
• Hand protection: Gloves
• Head protection: Head gears/ hair covers/ caps
• Foot protection: Shoe cover, safety shoes/ closed toe shoes

Figure 3: PPE

Resources

• GLI LC Training Module on Biosafety, slide no 18.
• WHO TB Lab Biosafety Manual, 2012, p13,22.

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