Introduction to Bio Systems Technology and Laboratory Safety
Bio Systems Technology combines biological science with engineered systems, measurement, and quality control. The introductory domain tests whether you can work safely and reproducibly: hazard assessment, containment, sterilization, waste routes, and documentation.
Core rules
- Risk assessment comes before benchtop work. Identify the agent, route of exposure, likely dose, and who is vulnerable.
- Apply controls in order: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, then PPE. PPE is the last barrier, not the first.
- Containment follows biosafety level. BSL-1 covers non-pathogenic agents; BSL-2 covers moderate-risk agents; BSL-3 and BSL-4 add directional airflow, sealed rooms, and stricter procedures.
- Use SDS and GHS labels for chemicals. Segregate incompatible wastes and never autoclave volatile solvents or sharps.
- Validate sterilization: autoclave normally 121 °C, 15 psi, 15 min for ordinary loads, but load type and validation indicators determine the real cycle.
- Report spills and exposures immediately; record the incident and corrective action.
Worked example
A 10 mL spill of Escherichia coli K-12 culture occurs on an open bench. K-12 is a BSL-1 laboratory strain, but the spill is still handled as a biological spill. Wear gloves and eye protection, cover the liquid with absorbent material, and apply disinfectant from the outer edge inward. Allow the manufacturer's contact time, then pick up broken material with forceps. Autoclave absorbent waste and reusable items; clean and disinfect the bench; record the event. The reasoning is containment first, then inactivation, then waste routing.
Traps
Do not call wiping with water disinfection. Do not use bleach at arbitrary strength or ignore contact time. Do not autoclave sealed containers, solvents, or sharps. Do not treat a biosafety cabinet as a fume hood.