Augustana College

Biology Department

Assistant Training

Assistant Duties

DutiesGeneral

• Preparing lab materials• Assisting students during labs• Ensuring safe operation of labs• Evaluating student work or tutoring• Research• Cleaning up after labs or lab work• Dishes

DutiesGeneral

Make sure that you have a clear understanding of your responsibilities!

DutiesChemical Inventory

• We are required by law to have an inventory system for our chemicals. All stock (original) containers must have an inventory number which is kept in a database along with other information about the chemical, including the room in which it is located.

DutiesChemical Inventory

• DO NOT THROW AWAY empty reagent bottles -- put them in the red tub in GSC 147 (151 prep room) to be removed from the inventory.

• IF YOU MOVE a reagent bottle from one room to another, record that move on the inventory record sheet on the bulletin board in GSC 147.

• RETURN reagent bottles to the exact location in which you found them. If you are unsure, put the bottles in the re-shelving box in GSC 147.

DutiesBalances

• DO NOT USE ANY BALANCES without prior instruction. Each balance is slightly different.

• Clean up the balance EVERY TIME you use it. This keeps the balance in good condition, but more importantly, prevents chemical reactions which could harm you!

• Do not move balances. This disrupts the calibration!

DutiesPreparation of Solutions

• Preparing solutions can be tricky. If you have any questions or problems, see your instructor.

• Please do not store solutions in volumetric flasks or graduate cylinders; use Erlenmeyer flasks, glass or plastic bottles or beakers (they are much easier to clean).

• Always recap stock reagent containers tightly.

• Always label solutions with your name, the date and the class (if appropriate).

DutiesDishwashing

For Dishes that must be washed by hand-• HOT water• Liquinox• Soak glassware for at least one hour, but not longer

than overnight• Fully submerge glassware (do not allow glassware

to float or contain air bubbles). • If you cannot return for two or more days to do

dishes, rinse all dishes well and leave on counter until you have time to return to wash them.

DutiesDishwashing

• All surfaces -- INCLUDING THE OUTSIDE -- should be scrubbed with a brush or green pad.

• Rinse all surfaces 5-7 times (or until soap is gone) in tap water.

• Rinse all surfaces 5-7 times in deionized water.

DutiesDishwashing

• AIR-DRY UPSIDE DOWN. • Prop all large pieces of glassware (graduates,

beakers and flasks), all test tubes, and all volumetric flasks in plastic baskets.

• Do not place narrow neck glassware on pegs because they will not dry well.

• Do not place large (heavy) pieces of glassware on the pegs because the pegs may fall off the board.

DutiesDishwashing

Some glassware may be washed in the dishwasher in Room 107.

Please get instructions before using the dishwasher.

DutiesDeionized Water Carboys

• Several labs do not have a deionized water line and rely on the use of carboys (large plastic jugs) filled from a deionized tap.

• You should keep the carboys in you lab filled 1/2 to 2/3 full at all times.

DutiesDeionized Water Carboys

• DO NOT FILL over 2/3 full or the carboys may leak. • HANDLE full carboys with great care. Avoid banging

the containers on desks.• Leave the lid loose to avoid vacuum lock.• DO NOT PLACE OUTLET VALVES on shelves.

Some outlet valves extend below the bottom of the carboy and may break off if placed on shelf.

• Notify Libby King if the outlet valve leaks or does not flow well so it can be repaired.

DutiesDeionized Water Carboys

• When filling carboys in GSC 147:– Do not place the end of the deionized water hose on

a peg on the drying board. – Do not leave the line in the sink. – Drain the hose as well as you can and drape the

hose over the pegs, trying not to kink the hose too much.

DutiesSafety Equipment

• The labs are equipped with several pieces of safety equipment. Know where the equipment is located and familiarize yourself with the use of each item.

• All incidents requiring the use of safety equipment must be reported to Mark Larson. Any equipment that is used needs to be inspected and/or refilled before it is returned to the lab.

DutiesSafety Equipment

• Eyewash

• Fire blanket

• Fire extinguisher

• First aid kit

DutiesPersonal Protective Equipment

• Gloves

• Aprons

• Safety Glasses or Goggles

• Safety Shields

• Masks

DutiesAutoclave

• DO NOT USE AUTOCLAVE without prior training by an instructor.

• All autoclave problems should be reported to Paul Egland or Libby King immediately.

DutiesSorvall Centrifuge

• DO NOT USE SORVALL CENTRIFUGE without prior training by an instructor.

• All spills MUST be cleaned up promptly to prevent (minimize) damage to the centrifuge.

• Immediately report all spills to Mike Wanous and clean up as directed.

• Report all problems to Mike Wanous.

DutiesSpills

• Minor spills of relatively harmless materials should be cleaned up as directed by your instructor.

• Spills of more hazardous substances should be reported to your instructor.

• Do not attempt to clean up a spill if you are unsure of its nature or how to clean it up.

DutiesSpills

• If the spilled chemical is an organic solvent or other dangerous material:– clear the area/lab– place a sign on the door indicating that there has been a

spill and that no-one should enter the room– notify your instructor or Mark Larson

• Mercury spills are considered dangerous. • Try to use mercury free thermometers whenever

possible.

DutiesBiohazardous Waste

• Human body fluids or disposable items contaminated with human body fluids

• Organisms that could be potentially harmful (bacteria, viruses, etc.) and disposable materials that come into contact with them

• Cell culture or tissue culture materials

DutiesBiohazardous Waste

• BIOHAZARD BAGS– Only "soft" items, which will not tear the bag

can be directly deposited in the bag. – If the contaminated item is sharp or broken

glass or may tear the bag, it must first be placed in a sharps container.

• Close with twist tie and autoclave

DutiesBiohazardous Waste

• Anything sharp (needles, razor blades, etc.) should be deposited in a "sharps" container.

• Anything that could break easily (capillary tubes, Pasteur pipettes, etc.) AND is contaminated with body fluids, should be deposited in a "sharps" container.

• Sharps containers are sealed shut with tape, placed in an autoclave bag, and autoclaved.

DutiesBroken Glass

• All broken glass that is not contaminated with body fluids should be deposited in the broken glass containers.

DutiesGSC 147

• GSC 147 is a general supply area.

• Four of the rotolab areas in GSC 147 have been designated for particular classes.

• DO NOT TAKE ITEMS FROM THESE AREAS UNLESS YOU ARE AN ASSISTANT FOR THOSE CLASSES.

DutiesSupplies and Equipment

• Do not take items from other labs unless you have permission to do so.

• If you receive permission to borrow something, leave a note indicating where that item is temporarily located while on loan and return it as soon as you are done with it!

DutiesRelative Lab Hazard

• In terms of the chemical hazard, GSC 151 is one of the most potentially dangerous labs.

• GSC 109 is one of the most biologically dangerous labs because of microorganisms and human body fluids.

• Young children should not be brought into these labs.

• No food or drink should be brought into these labs under any circumstances.

DutiesLab Safety

• Work safely

• Work knowledgeably

• Ask questions

• Do not proceed if you are not sure what to do or how to do it!

Severe Weather

•In the event of severe weather (e.g., tornado sirens), proceed to the basement hallway adjacent from the Math Dept. Spread the word about the need to seek shelter.

•Stay away from windows!

•Account for each other.