Scenario 1: Biosafety Laboratory (BSL) Levels 1 and 2
Biosafety laboratories are classified into four different levels; namely levels 1 to 4. BSL 1 and 2 are relatively similar, whilst BSL 3 and 4 have certain modifications to increase protection against the pathogens and infectious or dangerous specimens that are dealt within the laboratories.In this particular blog post, we'll discuss about BSL 1 and 2, the practices and PPE (personal protection equipment) required within the laboratories.
BSL 1 and 2
Access
1. International biohazard warning symbols and signs must be prominently displayed on doors of the rooms where microorganisms of Risk Group 2 or higher risk groups are handled.
2. No unauthorized personnel in the laboratory work areas.
3. Laboratory doors should be kept closed.
4. Children should not be authorized or allowed to enter laboratory working areas.
5. Special authorization for entry into areas housing laboratory animals should be given.
6. With the exception of laboratory animals, no animals should be allowed entry into the laboratory.
Personal protection
1. Appropriate laboratory protective outerwear (such as laboratory coats) must be worn at all times during work in the laboratory.
2. Gloves must be worn for all procedures involving direct or accidental contact with blood, body fluids and other potentially infectious materials or infected animals. After use, remove gloves aseptically and wash hands.
3. Wash hands after handling infectious materials and animals, and before they leave the laboratory working areas.
4. Protective eyewear or face gear (visors) must be worn when necessary to protect the eyes and face from chemical splashes, impacting objects and sources of artificial ultraviolet radiation.
5. Protective laboratory clothing must not be worn outside the laboratory, e.g. in canteens, libraries, staff rooms and toilets.
6. Closed-toe footwear must be worn in laboratories.
7. No consumption of food and drink, smoking, application of cosmetics and handling of contact lenses in the laboratory working areas.
8. Storage of consumables anywhere in the laboratory working areas is prohibited.
9. Protective laboratory clothing that has been used in the laboratory must not be stored together with other clothes.
Procedures
1. Pipetting by mouth is strictly forbidden, appropriate pipetting devices should be used instead.
2. Materials must not be placed in the mouth. Labels must not be licked.
3. The production of aerosols and droplets should be minimised.
4. Refrain from the usage of hypodermic needles and syringes. They must not be used for other procedures, other than their intended use.
5. All spills, accidents and potential exposures to infectious materials must be reported to the laboratory supervisor. A written record of such accidents and incidents should be maintained.
6. A written procedure for the clean-up of all spills must be developed and followed.
7. Contaminated liquids must be decontaminated before discharge to the sanitary sewer. An effluent treatment system may be required, depending on risk assessment for the agent(s) being handled.
8. Written documents that are expected to be removed from the laboratory need to be protected from contamination while in the laboratory.
Laboratory working areas
1. The laboratory should be kept neat, clean and not cluttered with unnecessary materials.
2. Work surfaces must be decontaminated with appropriate disinfection techniques after any spill of potentially dangerous material and at the end of the working day.
3. All contaminated materials, specimens and cultures must be decontaminated before disposal or cleaning for reuse.
4. Packing and transportation of specimens must follow applicable national and/or international regulations.
5. Windows should be fitted with insect-proof screens (especially when kept open to increase ventilation).
These are the protocols and the PPE required for BSL 1 and 2. In the next post, we'll discuss about the modifications for BSL 3.
References:
DiBerardinis, L. J., Gatwood, G. T., Baum, J. S., Groden, E. F., First, M. W. & Seth, A. K. (1993) Guidelines for Laboratory Design: Health and Safety Considerations. (2nd ed.). NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Furr, A. K. (2000) CRC Handbook of Laboratory Safety. (5th ed.). FL: CRC Press.
IUPAC-IPCS (1992) Chemical Safety Matters. UK: Cambridge University Press
Jackson, L. (Executive Producer), & Alboum, S. (Producer, Director). (2008). The Chem Lab: Safety in Every Step. [Motion Picture]. Princeton, NJ: Films for the Humanities & Sciences.
Leonard, D. (n.d.). Elements of Safety: Orientation to Laboratory Safety. [VCD] Singapore:SafetyMax Corp. Pte Ltd.
Safety Sense: A Laboratory Guide. (2nd ed.). (2007) USA, NY: Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory Press.
Salerno, R. M. & Gaudioso, J. (2007) Laboratory Biosafety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group
University of Colorado. (2011). Laboratory Safety. Retrieved from http://orgchem.colorado.edu/safety/labsafety.html
World Health Organization. (2004). Laboratory Biosafety Manual (3rd ed.). Retrieved from WHO, Geneva: http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/biosafety/Biosafety7.pdf
Labels: access, biosafety laboratory, BSL 1, BSL 2, laboratory working area, personal protection, PPE, procedures
posted by Michelle, Bernadette, Shanna, Karen, Su Wei, Shi Ting @ 16:08
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