LABORATORY FACILITIES

The laboratory is designed so that it can be easily cleaned. 

Laboratory furniture is sturdy, and spaces between benches, cabinets, and equipment are accessible for cleaning.

Bench tops are impervious to water and resistant to acids, alkalis, organic solvents, and moderate heat.

Each laboratory contains a sink for hand washing.

An eyewash facility is readily available.

All lab coats should be autoclaved in a terminal biohazards bag for one hour before they are returned to the laundry service.  Lab coats used in permanent  facilities should be processed once a week.

A method for decontamination of infectious or regulated laboratory wastes is available (e.g., autoclave, chemical disinfection, incinerator, or other approved decontamination system).

Persons handling blood borne pathogens  are encouraged to wash their hands frequently and when they leave the laboratory.  Gloves are removed prior to turning on the faucets to avoid contaminating them.

Sinks in the  area should be scrubbed down daily with a chlorine containing abrasive and flushed with a suitable chemical decontaminant.

Water baths and all water reservoirs shall be washed periodically with a suitable chemical decontaminant if copper sulfate has not been added to the water. 

Once a month, clean up work spaces which do not get daily attention with germicide, as well as other lab areas where clutter accumulates such as storage areas.  Large equipment (such as incubators) should have inner and outer surfaces damp wiped with a decontaminant.   Supplies should be rotated and outdated material thrown out.  Unlabeled material should be eliminated.  Clutter should be cleaned up.