Showing 1-1 of 1 Responses

Answer by labsupport on question Answer by labsupport on question Eating in Labs?

Submitted by sat on 04 July 2014

Answer reviewed 27 February 2023

School laboratories designated specifically for science practical activities are usually, but not always constructed to PC1 standard.

What the Standards say

Eating and drinking should not occur in any science laboratories. This is clearly stated in AS 2243.1:2021, Safety in laboratories, Part 1: Planning and operational aspects, in section 4.1 Requirements for Safe conduct: [i}

(i) Do not handle, prepare, store or consume food or drink for personal consumption in the laboratory.

(j) Refrigerators, freezers, ovens, microwave ovens used in the laboratory should be labelled to prohibit their use for food or drink for personal consumption

(k) Food or drink for personal consumption shall not be stored in a refrigerator, freezer o cupboard which is used to store laboratory materials. Any human foodstuffs to be used in the laboratory setting for experimental or animal consumption shall be clearly marked “ Not for Human Consumption”.1

Safety must be a priority in the science area. Laboratory surfaces, equipment and glassware can all be a source of contamination from chemical and/or biological material from previous classes. Safe work practices adopted in science should include no eating or drinking in the Laboratory.

Activities conducted in science rooms or using science equipment may use or cook food items, but the food must not be consumed by staff, students or visitors. There are potentially many contaminants in science laboratories. These can come from chemicals, dissection material, biological and microbiological specimens.

A Physical containment Level 1 (PC1) Laboratory

A Physical Containment Level 1 (PC1) laboratory is a classification given to laboratories with certain physical structures that enable the safe handling of material likely to contain microorganisms that are classified as Risk Group 1 microorganisms.2

Digestion practical activities using food could be substituted with alternative activities such as:

Note: Human body fluids should not be used in school science practical classes due to the risk of disease transmission and their use is prohibited in most school jurisdictions.

Activities using food

Eating food produced can be arranged using alternate food safe rooms and equipment, for example the home economics room.

Recommendations

The best basis for planning safety in the laboratory is to consider in advance the consequences of every action. Routine safety procedures and behavioural management processes ensure safe work habits and practices for staff and students. Safe conduct in the laboratory applies to everyone in the laboratory. Some suggestions are:

References

1 Standards Australia. (2021). AS 2243 Safety in Laboratories, Part 1: 2021 Planning and Operational Aspects. Sydney, Australia. This excerpt has been reproduced by ASTA with the permission of Standards Australia Limited under licence CLF1222asta. Copyright in AS 2243:1 2021, Safety in Laboratories, Planning and Operational Aspects vests in Standards Australia. Users must not copy or reuse this work without the permission of Standards Australia or the copyright owner.

2 Standards Australia. (2022). AS/NZS 2243:3 2022, Safety in Laboratories, Part 3: Microbiological safety and containment. Sydney, Australia. This excerpt has been reproduced by ASTA with the permission of Standards Australia Limited under licence CLF1222asta. Copyright in AS/NZS 2243:3 2022, Safety in Laboratories, Microbiological safety and containment vests in Standards Australia [and Standards New Zealand]. Users must not copy or reuse this work without the permission of Standards Australia or the copyright owner.