Here is a comprehensive Laboratory Hygiene Protocol designed to promote safety, reduce
contamination risk, and ensure compliance with good laboratory practices (GLP), ISO 15189,
and biosafety guidelines.
🧼 Laboratory Hygiene Protocol
1. Purpose
To establish and maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene in the laboratory to ensure
the safety of personnel, the integrity of test results, and the prevention of cross-contamination.
2. Scope
Applies to all laboratory personnel, support staff, students, and visitors in all laboratory areas
including sample collection, processing, testing, and storage zones.
3. Responsibilities
Role Responsibilities
Laboratory Staff Follow hygiene rules, report breaches, clean assigned stations
Housekeeping Perform scheduled cleaning/disinfection of common areas
Supervisor/Manager Monitor compliance, arrange training, review hygiene logs
Quality Officer Include hygiene checks in internal audits
4. Personal Hygiene Practices
Wash hands:
o Before and after handling specimens
o Before eating/drinking
o After removing gloves or contact with body fluids
Keep nails short and clean; avoid artificial nails
Wear clean lab coats daily (change immediately if soiled)
Use PPE appropriately: gloves, lab coats, masks, eye protection
Do not eat, drink, apply cosmetics, or handle contact lenses in lab areas
Use hand sanitizer where sinks are not immediately available
5. Workstation & Equipment Hygiene
Area/Item Cleaning Frequency Cleaning Agent
Workbenches Start/end of each shift 70% ethanol or disinfectant
Centrifuges Weekly and after spills 70% alcohol or bleach wipe
Microscopes Weekly and after sample use Lens cleaner + alcohol
Pipettes Monthly or if contaminated Disinfectant wipe
Refrigerators/Freezers Monthly external wipe-down Soap + disinfectant
Decontaminate biosafety cabinet after each use and daily
Label "clean" and "contaminated" equipment separately
6. Surface & Floor Cleaning
Area Frequency Responsible Staff
Lab floor Daily Housekeeping
Sample reception counter Hourly during use Lab staff
Doorknobs, switches Twice daily Housekeeping/lab staff
Sample transport box After each use Lab technologist
Use separate mops/cloths for clean and contaminated areas to avoid cross-contamination.
7. Waste Management Hygiene
Segregate waste using color-coded bins (e.g., red for infectious, black for general)
Empty biohazard bins daily or when ¾ full
Decontaminate waste bins weekly
Autoclave or treat infectious waste before final disposal
8. Spill Management Protocol
Wear appropriate PPE
Cover spill with absorbent towel, pour disinfectant (e.g., 10% bleach), wait 10 minutes
Remove materials safely, dispose in biohazard bag
Disinfect area again and document incident in Spill Log
9. Visitor & Contractor Hygiene
Must wear PPE
No access to restricted areas without supervision
Must sanitize hands upon entry and exit
10. Documentation & Records
Log/Form Purpose
Daily Cleaning Log Confirms surfaces, floors were cleaned
Spill Incident Log Records spills, actions taken
Hand Hygiene Compliance Log Used during audits or check rounds
PPE Usage Checklist Ensures staff use PPE correctly
✅ Would You Like Templates?
I can provide:
🧾 Daily Cleaning Log Sheet (Excel/Word)
🚨 Spill Report Form
📋 Hand Hygiene Audit Form
📄 Checklist for Weekly Hygiene Inspection
Let me know your preferred format, and I’ll send them!
