An important practice aimed at preventing transmission of pathogens is routine use of chemical disinfectants for wiping work surfaces. Wipe your work area with an appropriate disinfectant before starting work, between projects, immediately after a spill, and at the end of the work shift.

Use a disinfectant to wipe equipment that cannot be autoclaved or soaked. This is especially important if the equipment is sent elsewhere to be recalibrated or repaired.

If parts of the equipment cannot be disinfected, the equipment must be packaged and labeled to ensure that others will handle it with caution.