Other equipment

It must be kept in mind that the fixative liquid requires time to penetrate the tissues and may not inactivate possible existing pathogens. Freezing or thawing is also not a safe method to inactivate them. Therefore, this material should be considered potentially infectious.

Handle the blades with tweezers or similar items, but never with your hands.

Incubators are used to maintain an optimal environment for cell growth by controlling temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration.

It must be taken into account that:

• It is necessary to systematically clean and disinfect all internal surfaces of the incubator (e.g. walls, doors, shelves, joints, etc.). Every 6-8 weeks it should be emptied, cleaned and disinfected. It is recommended to clean with soapy water, rinse with distilled water and allow to dry. Finally, spray with 70% ethanol or a similar disinfectant that is not corrosive or gives off toxic fumes. Stainless steel parts (e.g. shelves, water tray, etc.) can be autoclaved. External parts can be cleaned with soap and water.
• The water tray may contain a broad-spectrum disinfectant (as long as it has been previously tested not to release toxic fumes from cell cultures) and should be changed weekly.
• Containers must be perfectly identified.
• It is recommended to classify and separate incubators according to activities (e.g. cultures of primary lines, established lines, viral productions, etc.).
• The plates/flasks should be placed on trays, to facilitate the placement of the plates on the shelves and to avoid spills in the incubator.
• Plates should be handled with gloves to avoid contamination.
• The handling of the plates must be done carefully, to avoid spills, holding them so that the lid does not open and does not lose horizontality.
• Accidental spills should be treated immediately with paper soaked in a suitable disinfectant (e.g. Virkon 3%), blotted and sprayed with 70% ethanol. If these are viral productions/cultures, it is necessary to let the disinfectant act for 15 minutes. It must be noted in the incident log.
• Contaminated cultures must be disposed of immediately and appropriately.
• Gas cylinders (if any) must be securely fastened.
• Record all maintenance activities.

• It must be maintained, cleaned and systematically disinfected.
• Cultures of pathogenic microorganisms by inhalation should not be stored in containers that are not properly closed, especially if the room has an air circulation system.
• It is necessary to identify in files, lists, etc., the content of what is stored there and its potential risks.
• Potentially infectious material should be placed in tightly closed tubes, containers, etc. They should not be filled completely, to prevent them from overflowing due to the effect of the increase in volume after freezing.
• They must be periodically defrosted, cleaned and disinfected if necessary.
• Use gloves when handling the contents. If the temperature is low (−70ºC or lower), gloves represent additional protection.

• The bottles or flasks that are placed must have the cap loosened, since if they are closed hermetically they burst easily.
• Be present throughout the entire process, wearing appropriate clothing and face shield, and monitor the intensity of the device. This intensity can only be the maximum in the case of water and the minimum in the case of agar.
• There must be a clearly visible table of the times necessary for the quantities to be used.
• Microwaves interfere with heart pacemakers. It is necessary to signal this risk.