Securing yourself and others is prime concern of biosafety and this is why it’s also an important aspect in modern science and medicine.
At its core, biosafety tries to keep dangerous biological materials like microorganisms, toxins, and genetic elements from getting out or being exposed. Biosafety ensures that science progress can be made in an ethical and responsible way by setting strict safety rules and containment protocols.
So, want to know all the essential principles of biosafety? Then binge on till the end!
The Basic Principle of Biosafety
The section here will focus on the key principles of biosafety and help you to know the ins and outs of these principles. So, do skim through till the end of the section.
- The main idea behind laboratory biosafety is to keep biological agents inside the lab so that they don’t get exposed to people inside or outside the lab. Primary containment protects the people working in the lab and the area around it by using good bacterial methods and safety gear.
- Use of successful microbiological techniques is an important part of containment. The researchers and scientists who work with biological agents need to know about the risks and be trained on how to handle and get rid of such materials. Although everyone’s responsible for their own safety, the Principal Investigator is in charge of making sure that those who work in the lab is properly trained.
- The biosafety and management manuals come with basic rules and instructions for working with biological agents. Along with such guidebook, each lab needs to have its own set of rules, instructions, and training that are specially designed to reduce the risks as much as possible.
- Personal protective equipment includes safety glasses, lab coats, gloves, and more. It works with lab practises and safety equipment to keep people contained.
- Safety gear along with other engineered controls meant to lower exposure to biological agents. When it comes to protecting scientists and the lab surroundings, biological safety cabinets (BSCs) are the most vital of all. Moreover, for safety equipment to be used effectively, scientists must be properly trained and the equipment must be inspected and maintained in a regular basis.
- Facility design factors include keeping labs complete separation from public areas.These traits protect both people inside and outside the lab.
This is why certified biosafety and biosecurity training courses will always give you the upper hand when it comes to knowing these rules
Possible Ways of Transmission
The section here will cover some of the most common ways harmful agents might enter one’s body when basic biosafety principles are violated.
- The possibility of making infectious droplets exists when doing low-energy jobs like pouring liquids, pipetting, or handling containers (for example, taking off screw caps). Life-threatening microorganisms may be present in these droplets.
- When lab workers handle samples or any equipment, they might come into touch with infectious materials without even knowing. This could happen due to spills or even bad handling.
- Sometimes, touching something infected could expose your eyes to it. Therefore, putting on safety glasses is essential to keep your eyes clean, especially when splashes or sprays are there.
- When you use your mouth to draw substances into a pipette, this is called mouth pipetting. This is the most likely way to accidentally intake something infectious. This method is highly not recommended as can lead to severe accidents and can also prove fatal.
- During different lab tasks, different matters can splash into the mouth. It is also possible to accidentally swallow dangerous substances,
- Working in a lab with syringes and needles increases the chance of getting infected. This could happen if someone gets stuck with a needle or has another accident while handling it.
- Contamination can also take place when surfaces are used to cause cuts and scratches. When you handle certain things that haven’t been properly cleaned, it can be super risky.
- Respirable aerosols are tiny particles in the air that can hold infectious agents. They can be made by different lab procedures too. Using sound waves for sonication, spinning samples at high speeds for centrifugation, “blowing out” pipettes, heating inoculating loops, and even changing animal cage litter are all part of these processes.
- To lower the risk of breathing in aerosols, it is important to take the right safety precautions and use containment measures when dealing with procedures that make them.
Bottom Line
Now, after going through this blog, we believe you should know why following the rules of biosafety is crucial. Biosafety protects people and the environment by lowering risks and putting safety first in healthcare and study settings.
That’s not all; it also makes it possible for groundbreaking discoveries that could change lives. It even plays a pivotal role in progress and helps us move towards a future where science progress is balanced with safety along with moral concerns.
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