FAQs
Pipet Safety? ›
Preventing Injuries
What safety rule concerning the pipette must be observed? ›Do not ever use your mouth to pull the liquid into a pipet. This is the most common method of becoming poisoned in a chemical laboratory or becoming infected in a clinical laboratory. Mouth pipetting is forbidden in the chemistry department. Do not allow the solution to be drawn up into the bulb.
What are the things to avoid when using a pipette? ›- Mistake #1: not assessing the viscosity of the sample. ...
- Mistake #2: DISPENSING LIQUID REAGENTS TOO FAST. ...
- MISTAKE #3: PIPETTING DIFFERENT SAMPLES WITH THE SAME TIP. ...
- MISTAKE #4: failing to perform proper pipette maintenance.
The first step when using a pipette is setting the pipette to your desired volume. To do this, locate the small window on your pipette that has three numbers in it. If your pipette has a lock/unlock switch, switch it to the unlock position.
What are the hazards of pipetting? ›Many lab workers pipette for longer periods each day. Typical symptoms include pain in the thumb (De Quervain's syndrome), forearm and elbow (tendonitis or tenosynovitis), trigger finger, finger pain (digital-nerve injury), and shoulder pain.
What safety precautions should pipettes take? ›Preventing Injuries
Take micro-breaks every 20-30 minutes if you pipette for long periods. Hold the pipette loosely and relax hands periodically. Textured gloves may help. Use a cutout or “V”-shaped lab bench (if possible) to bring the work closer.
One common source of error is using an incorrect pipette (or tips) for your liquid sample. Our article on piston pipettes provides some excellent insight on how to reduce this source of pipetting error. Another source of pipetting error that is often encountered is working with pipettes that are not ergonomic.
What are random errors when using a pipette? ›Some Random errors while using Pipettes are : Not properly aligning the meniscus with the volume mark. Forcing the solution out of the pipette causes too much solution to be delivered. Using pipette with broken tip.
What is the proper procedure for using a pipet? ›- Set the volume on the pipette.
- Depress the plunger.
- Immerse the tip to the correct depth, which can vary by the pipette and tip, and smoothly let the plunger go to its resting position.
- Wait about one second for the liquid to flow into the tip.
- Temperature. The most important factor in pipetting accuracy is the liquid temperature. ...
- Density. Density is the mass/volume ratio of the liquid. ...
- Altitude. The geographic altitude affects the accuracy through the air pressure.
What are the tips of the pipette? ›
Pipette Tips are disposable, autoclavable attachments for the uptake and dispensing of liquids using a pipette. Micropipettes are used in a number of laboratories. A research/diagnostic lab can use pipette tips to dispense liquids into a well plate for PCR assays.
What are two things you should never do when using a micropipette? ›Never point a pipette up. This may cause liquid to run down into the pipette destroying it. When withdrawing liquids with the pipette, always release the plunger slowly. This prevents liquid from rushing into the end of the pipette and clogging it up.
How not to use a pipette? ›DON'T: Immerse the pipette tip too deep into sample solution
1-10 µL) and in extreme cases, when the end of the pipette tip touches the bottom of the container, aspiration of the liquid is impeded and the tip can become damaged.
- STAY ALERT - and stay alive. ...
- WEAR THE RIGHT CLOTHES - work clothes should fit properly. ...
- USE THE RIGHT TOOLS - if you need a hammer, get a hammer. ...
- LEARN HOW TO LIFT - Lifting takes more than muscle; it is an art.
Keep your hands away from your face, eyes, mouth, and body while using chemicals. Food and drink, open or closed, should never be brought into the labora- tory or chemical storage area. Never use laboratory glassware for eating or drinking purposes. Do not apply cosmetics while in the laboratory or storage area.