Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Box 1.2
Some of the tools and equipment for general bench inspections
Inspections are undertaken in many situations. In general a large quantity of
commercial goods (or a sample taken from a container of goods) or personal
goods involve examination at the border on a bench or table. However, other
situations include inspections in ship holds, aircraft holds, of animals in hold-
ing areas, or fi eld inspections prior to entry. The following is a guide to tools
and equipment to enable adequate bench inspections. Some of these tools and
equipment are used in other forms of inspection—all require adequate lighting
for inspection of goods.
Inspection bench dimensions (for one-person work area): height 900mm,
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width 1 metre and length 2 metres; with an impervious, white surface. The
bench should be sturdy, level, and stable, and have adequate fl uorescent
lighting along the entire length. The surface of the bench should lend itself
to easy cleaning and sterilization where necessary. Power outlets should be
located in close proximity to the inspection bench to enable the use of micro-
scopes and supplementary lighting.
Microscope (binocular dissecting microscope with a minimum magnifi ca-
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tion of 30×)—if possible mounted on a fl exible arm to enable greater access
to material to be inspected.
Microscope light (preferable cold light—however, need to consider ability to
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obtain replacement lamps).
Tweezers/forceps (fi ne).
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Specimen jars or tubes for collection of samples in a range of sizes e.g. 30mL,
60mL, 100mL with some of larger size—the jars or tubes need to be leak-
proof and not be affected by the preservation fl uid. There should also be the
ability to apply some form of labelling; this could be comprised of a label
written with alcohol (preservation fl uid) -proof pen inserted into the tube
with the specimens or an external label applied to the jar/tube such that it
will remain attached without the writing being affected by the preservation
fl uid.
Preserving medium (often 70% ethanol) with appropriate handling facilities
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if preserving fl uids are toxic.
Capacity to kill samples or specimens effectively and effi ciently where neces-
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sary, such as access to a freezer (-18°C or below) or other methods.
Sealable plastic bags for material preserved by sealing or needing to be sent
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off-site for further diagnostic examination or testing (it is preferable the
material is a non-viable state).
Brushes (fi ne bristle or camel-hair brushes size 00 for collecting very
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small organisms; larger size 15 or 20 for brushing down items to detect
specimens).
Hand lens/magnifi er (for example, folding 10× and 20×).
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