Final answer:
Replacing worn or damaged orifice plates requires adherence to sterile techniques and safety measures such as using sterilized forceps and disposing of excess liquid from soaked disks, spacing antibiotic disks properly on plates, and wearing protective gear while handling potential hazards.
Step-by-step explanation:
When replacing worn or damaged orifice plates, one must follow safe laboratory procedures to ensure accuracy and maintain a sterile environment. The steps include:
- Using forceps sterilized in alcohol to handle sterile materials.
- Soaking filter paper disks in a control solution, allowing excess liquid to drip off, and placing them on labeled sections of agar plates.
- Positioning antibiotic disks on inoculated plates with sufficient spacing to prevent overlapping zones of inhibition.
Furthermore, appropriate safety measures such as wearing gloves, goggles, and safety aprons are crucial when working with hazardous materials or equipment. In case of accidents, such as broken glass, it's important to use tools like a dustpan and broom for cleanup to avoid injury.