GLP aims to minimize the occurrence of most common accidents caused by human error, poor laboratory practice, or the misuse of equipment. It consists of a set of instructions about the use of various laboratory equipment such as pipettes, bacterial loops, hypodermic needles, centrifuges and homogenizers.
These practices are based on sterile work techniques and are aimed to protect the experiment on one hand, and the worker and environment on the other hand from aerosol contamination. Examples for GLP practices are:
- Bacteriological loops should be heated from the far end of the loop.
- Loops must be cooled before touching the inoculum.
- Mixing, blending and centrifuging should be done in airtight tubes.
- The last drop from the pipette should not be blown out.
- Lyophilized cultures should be opened wrapped in a cloth soaked with decontaminant, preferably in a biological safety cabinet.
- Cultures should be poured slowly.
- Needles should be wrapped before withdrawing from bottles.
GLP is based on years of experience and studying accidents and laboratory-acquired infections, and appears in the form of regulations. Understanding the rationale behind each regulation assists in implementing them.