1. All animal carcasses and tissue must be placed in a large Ziploc bag. This bag is generally located on the desk by the fridge in front of the lab. (The remains will be frozen and later taken to the LAS incinerator.)
2. Blood and animal fluids must be decontaminated with bleach or disinfectant (at least 5 minutes) before they are disposed of down the drain.
3. All noncontaminated sharps (i.e., razors, broken glass, scalpel blades, etc.) must be placed in the noncontaminated sharp waste box. Contaminated sharps (those that contacted blood, animal tissue, etc.) must be put in the contaminated sharps box.
4. All other biohazardous/ contaminated disposable waste must be put in the labeled biohazard waste bucket.
5. Contaminated nondisposable items must be decontaminated with bleach or disinfectant (at least five minutes).
6. Wear gloves when working with animal tissue and fluids. Gloves in a variety of sizes will be located at the on the desk by the fridge in the front of the lab. If the gloves run out, inform your T.A. or student help. This is important because some animal tissue or fluid may carry pathogens. Furthermore, the toad (Bufo marinus) secretes a neurotoxin called Bufotoxin through it's skin. Gloves are also important to wear when working with toxic chemicals like amiloride, ouabain, cyanide, atropine, and the hormones.
6. Wear proper clothing to the lab. This includes shoes that cover the soles and toes. Do not wear any item which cannot get stained or dirty. It is also advisable, but not required, to wear long pants and pull back long hair.
7. After finishing an experiment, it essential to clean up. Dispose of all disposable properly.
Wash all glassware and tidy up the experimental station. If a
chemical needs to be refrigerated, please place in in the refrigerator.
A good guide on laboratory safety is: The University of Oklahoma HSC Student Guide