Laboratory Policies
Policy for the Students: Handling of Body Tissues and Fluids
The School of Natural Science and Mathematics offers several courses in which laboratory studies include exercises requiring the collection and handling of body tissues and fluids. Because such tissues and fluids pose a risk of infection the student will abide by the following guidelines:
In all instances the student must follow the written instructions provided. When the student handles body tissues or fluids not from her/his own body, the student will wear gloves. Body tissues and fluids will be labeled, handled, and discarded in a manner appropriate for biologically hazardous material.
Approved: October 10, 1988
Policy for the Disposal of Biologically Hazardous Material
The term, "biologically hazardous material" includes any material which poses a threat of infection to humans. Examples might be bacteria, fungi, viruses, body tissues and fluids, (such as but not limited to: blood, feces, urine, and semen).
All biologically hazardous material will be clearly labeled if it is to be passed in handling from one person to another before it is discarded in a permanent manner.
Biologically hazardous material will be collected and used with and contained in disposable equipment whenever possible.
"Sharpies" (such as needles, lancets, and glass) which are contaminated with biological hazardous material, will be discarded in hard plastic, red containers clearly marked as containing biologically hazardous materials.
Other contaminated materials will be collected in orange or red plastic bags which are clearly marked as containing biologically hazardous materials.
Both the "sharpies" container and the orange or red bags will be autoclaved before being discarded in the trash. The red containers will never be emptied before autoclaving. The lid will be secured according to instructions on the container before autoclaving. The containers will be placed on their sides before they are autoclaved.
All autoclaved materials will be marked with autoclave tape before autoclaving (in order to identify which materials have been autoclaved).
A log will be kept on which every load of biologically hazardous material will be identified and recorded with the conditions (including time) and the signature of the operator.
A "spore" check method (comparable to AMSCO's Proofs method) will be used during the autoclave procedure to check the effectiveness of the autoclave on a semester basis. The running of such a check will be indicated on the log.
Approved: October 10, 1988
Policy for all Adjunct and Full-time Faculty and Staff: Collection and Handling of Body Tissues and Fluids
All Faculty (Adjunct and Full-time) will abide by the following guidelines regarding the collection, handling, and disposal of body tissues and fluids.
The protocol for any laboratory exercise requiring the collection, handling and disposal of body tissues and fluids must be submitted in writing to the laboratory director of the School one month before it is to be used. The laboratory director will present it to the Biological review committee (consisting of the director and two other School members), and a decision will be made regarding whether the exercise will be used.
If the decision is favorable regarding the use of the exercise, it is the responsibility of the laboratory director to work with the faculty member to assure that the protocol is acceptable and that appropriate mechanisms for assuring safe collection, labeling, handling, and disposal of such material will occur.
Regarding the Policy:
Only under extraordinary circumstances will the collection of blood by means other than a fingerstick be considered. Personnel performing venipunctures of any kind shall be certified phlebotomists, registered medical technologists, registered nurses, or medical doctors.
Disposal of such materials will be in full accordance with the policy for disposal of biological hazardous materials.
The education benefit of the exercise will be weighed against possible risk to students, staff, and faculty. The educational benefit of the exercise will also be weighed against the burden placed upon the laboratory director and her/his staff.
Approved: October 10, 1988
A&P Lab Room Materials
- No materials may leave the A&P room at any time.
- The room will be kept locked except when an instructor is present.
- Each student wishing to study when an instructor is not present must first sign-in on the clipboard in room 216 and ask to have the room opened. The door must be closed and locked while working to prevent entry by unauthorized persons.
Approved: November 9, 1992
The following persons have keys to the laboratorys:
- Dr. Joan Lafuze (Biology)
- Dr. Hitesh Katheria (Chemistry)
- Dr. Dale Beach (Biology)
- Dr. Kim Greer (Biology)
- Errol Huffman (Chemistry & Biology)
- Peggy Branstrator (Biology)
- Ron Bingaman (Physics)
- Anna Box (Laboratory Coordinator)
Approved: August 15, 2005
(Updated: July 18, 2007)
