STAGE ONE: PREPARATION

1. Put on lab coat.
2. Ensure that hair is tied back and any jewellery removed.
3. Remove the microscope cover.
4. Check the plug and ensure that no bare wires are evident.
5. Ensure that the work surface is flat, clean and dry.
6. Check that the rheostat is turned down prior to switching on and then turn on the power and the on switch.
7. Check the function of the light source.
8. Check that the objective lenses and stage are clean and positioned correctly.

STAGE TWO: CORRECT VIEWING

1. Carefully take the slide holding only the edges and place it the correct way up on the stage with the slide label to the right.
2. Select the 4x (scanning) objective.
3. Before looking through the eye pieces, rack up the mechanical stage with the coarse (gross) focus until it is as close to the objective lens as possible without touching it.
4. Looking through the eye pieces, rack down slowly with the coarse focus stopping when the slide comes into view.
5. Use the fine focus to bring the object into view more clearly.
6. Use the coarse focus to move the slide from side to side to investigate any other points of interest.
7. Repeat the process using a higher objective if necessary.
8. Use the scales and Verniers to make recordings in order to relocate a desired field.

STAGE 3: CLEANING & STORAGE

1. Turn down the rheostat.
2. Turn off the microscope and unplug, refer to the manufacturer's instructions if necessary.
3. Remove the slide from the stage (handling at the edges only) and ensure that it is labelled and place on a rack or in a slide holder.
4. Clean the stage using xylene and a soft cloth, then dry with lens tissue.
5. Clean eye lenses as above.
6. Wipe down the remainder of the microscope with a damp cloth and disinfectant, having first removed any organic material carefully with a detergent (take care not to get any water or soap bubbles into the mechanisms.
7. Dry with a soft cloth.
8. Cover and put away.