Visit Biotech Labs and its Safety Measures of different Universities in Hong Kong

I visited PCR Lab in CityU on 23 Nov 2006. I learnt the PCR process as follows:

Step 1: Cell Line (Incubation) & DNA preparation (Centrifuge)
Step 2: Extract DNA/RNA from Genome
Step 3: Run PCR Thermocycler (Magnify)
Step 4: Gel Electrophoresis (Quality & Quantity)
Step 5: DNA Sequencing
For DNA Clip, using Microarray Spotter

In CityU, there is an independent safety office to take care all laboratory safety affairs. When I was a research student in CityU, I needed to attend a “Program for Workshop on Laboratory Safety” (I attended the course on 29 May 1996 and the course was compulsory to all research students who were working in laboratory environment).
The program included the following topics:
· OSH Principles & Risk Assessment
· Emergency Procedures
· Safety Resources: Information; Preventive; Emergency & Training
· Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
· Chemical Safety
· Chemical Waste Disposal
· Laser Safety
· Compressed Gases & Cryogenic Liquids Handling
· Electrical Safety
· Mechanical Safety
· Non-ionizing Radiation Safety
· Ionizing Radiation Safety & Waste Disposal
· Biological Safety & Waste Disposal

Moreover, I visited HKBU’s Biotechnology laboratory and Dangerous Good Storage on 7 April 2008. They shared their emergency responses to handle chemical spill and their electronic chemical stock management system. A trolley for chemical delivery is designed to hold each container separately so as to avoid breakage and spillage.

On 25 April 2008, I visited Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Instrument Laboratory in CUHK. They briefed their laboratory safety practices to us and smart card was employed to identify and monitor each access in laboratories. It is for safety and security consideration. In addition, handling practices of chemical spillage / waste was shared.

Recently, I visited several laboratories in HKUST. They shared their experience in pharmaceutical research and biotechnology laboratory practices.

After visiting several laboratories in different universities in Hong Kong, I have discovered some common measures in safety aspects and summarized as follows:

1) Awareness training is very important
2) Individual discipline is the most important to avoid accident
3) Centralized safety / security office to align working practices in all laboratories of university
4) Facility management should be involved for safety aspect during laboratory design.
5) Any change of the use in laboratory should be discussed by three parties, namely facility office, safety office and user representative.