LBL08001 - Maintenance and Cleaning

Author: Tom Hodder	Approved by: S. Thompson	SOP No. LBL08001
Signed:	Signed:	Effective from:
Date:	Date:	Last edited:

Purpose

Maintenance and Cleaning are fundemental to the operation of a safe and successful biolab. This document provides the daily, weekly and ad-hoc procedures that are in place.

Scope

This SOP applies to all users in all circumstances in the LBL biolab without exception.
In the case of specific instructions for Maintenance and Cleaning of equipment the user should defer to the relevant SOP for that particular piece of equipment.

Responsibilities

All users of the biolab are responsible for ensuring the clean and safe operation of equipment, lab furniture and tools.
The Biological Safety Officer has oversight and responsilibity to make final decisions regarding maintenance and cleaning.

There are risks associated with certain cleaning products. Bleach is considered a hazardous substance and care must be taken to follow the instructions on the label.

It is the user's responsibility to check the MSDS for any chemical or cleaning products they are using.

Materials

The following items should be available in the lab

Disposable Nitrile gloves in various sizes
Plastic aprons
Eye protection
Plastic over-shoe protection
Cleaning products are available under the sink
A Mop and bucket
Blue roll
Disinfectant
Sterilzing Spray

Definitions

BSO: Biological Safety Officer
SOP: Standard Operating Procedure

Procedures

Daily Maintenance and Cleaning procedures

Before starting work

At the beginning of daily sessions the worktops should be cleared and any washing done and cleaned items returned to the shelves.
Bins should be emptied.
Any unlabeled liquid media should be emptied into the kill bin.
Unknown/unlabeled and dirty glassware left out should be autoclaved, washed and returned to shelves.
Work areas should be disinfected with Surgical spirit before work commences.

After Completing work

Clear the work surfaces of equipment and consumables. Don't leave things out.
All media and cultures should be labeled.
The Kill bin should be emptied of solid materials such as petri dishes. see Emptying the kill bin
Empty the geneal waste bins to the outside non-recyclables bin.
Do the washing up.
Make a record of the procedures and protocols in the lab day book.
Ensure that electrical equipment is turned off, such as autoclave and RO pump

Weekly cleaning and maintenance procedures

Mop the floor with a 10% bleach solution
Refill the Bleach solution in the kill bin. See section Refuilling the kill bin
Stock check the levels of consumables
- Nitrile gloves
- The spill kit
- Bleach
- Sterilizing Spray

Ah-Hoc cleaning and maintenance procedures

Disposal of equipment

Equipment that is disposed of, due to obsoletion or damage etc, will need to be cleaned and decontaminated if it has come into contact with GMO. This procdure must be assessed and carried out on a case by case basis.

Please contact the BSO if you plan to remove any equipment from the biolab.

Resources

The SACGM Compendium of guidance Part 3: Containment and control of activities involving genetically modified microorganisms
http://www.hse.gov.uk/biosafety/gmo/acgm/acgmcomp/part3.pdf

LBL08001

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