Overview of

Bio-safety
 Objectives

1. Understand the concept of Biosafety

2. Describe the main elements in biocontainment
3. Understand the criteria for determining the appropriate
biosafety level
4. Identify the differences between biosafety levels
What is Biosafety?
 Biosafety

The prevention of exposures,

occupationally acquired
infections, and release of
organisms to the environment
by laboratory workers in the
biomedical environment
 Elements of Biocontainment
Practices and Procedures

The proper mix of

the three elements
is assessed by the
needs and specific
hazards of the
facility

Safety Equipment Facility Design

The biocontainment unit is a safe place for patients with highly

contagious diseases and maximizes the safety for staff and the
community at large
 Practices and Procedures

Are a combination of appropriate

Standard Microbiological Practices
and
Special Practices
Standard Microbiological Practices

• HANDWASHING
• Strict adherence to Aseptic Technique
• No eating or drinking in the lab
• Use of mechanical pipeting devices
• Signage
 Special Practices
• Controlling laboratory access
• Waste handling
• Decontamination
• Immunizations
• Safety Manual and SOPs
•Program operations, Biosafety and Biosecurity
manuals, spill response, and emergency procedures
•Training
 Safety Equipment

i.e., “Primary Barriers”

They are a combination of:
1. Personal Protective Equipment
2. Engineering Controls
3. Biological Safety Cabinets
Safety Equipment

Personal
Protective
Equipment
 Powered Air-Purifying Respirator
(PAPR)
• Disposable hood
• Breathing tube
• Motor/blower unit
• Cartridges /filter
• Rechargeable battery pack

11
 Engineering Controls for
Centrifuges
Sealed centrifuge
cups Sealed
centrifuge rotors
 Safety Equipment

Types of Biological Safety Cabinets

Class I BSC Class II BSC Class III BSC

 Facility Design

i.e., Secondary Barriers

Design parameters established to protect

the people surrounding the laboratory
and the community
Facility Design
•Segregation from public access
•Eyewash station
•Sink for handwashing
•Ventilation systems *
 Facility Design
• Slip-resistant floors
• Bench tops should be impervious to water
and resistant to disinfectants, acids, alkalis,
organic
solvents and moderate heat
• Walls, ceilings, floors and furniture should be
easy to clean
Establishing BSL

Performing a Risk Assessment

The foundation of Biosafety and the basis for
BSLs

Perform a comprehensive hazard evaluation

Determine additional safety enhancements
Laboratory Biosafety Levels 1-4 (BSL)

POTENTIAL HAZARD
 Guidelines for
working safely in LOWEST
research and clinical Basic Laboratories
laboratories
 Increasing levels of
personnel and Containment Laboratories
environmental
protection
HIGHEST
 BSL-1
Agents not known to cause disease
(Bacillus subtilis, infectious canine
hepatitis)

Utilize Standard Microbiological Procedures

No Special Practices required

BSL-1 Laboratory

Handwashing
sink
 Windows
with
flyscreens
 BSL-2
Agents associated with human disease
(Hepatitis B virus, Salmonella spp.)

Work involving agents that pose moderate hazards to

personnel and the environment
 Personnel are trained to handle pathogens
 Restricted access while in operation
 Aerosol or splash-producing procedures

are conducted in containment equipment

 In addition to
BSL-1:

 “Site-Specific” Biosafety manual with Standard Operating Procedures

(include spill response and emergency procedures)
 Autoclave available
 Minimize procedures that cause splashes/aerosol formation
 Transport of materials is “special” containers
BSL-2 Laboratory
 BSL-3

Indigenous/exotic agents associated

with human disease and with
potential for aerosol transmission

(Yellow fever virus, Hantaan virus, Venezuelan

equine encephalitis, M. tuberculosis)
 In Addition to BSL-2
•“Hands-free sink”
• Restrict the use of “sharps” and glass
• Wrap-around/solid-front gown, head covering and possibly
shoe covers
• Eye protection and possibly respiratory protection is worn
• Decontaminate solid materials/waste prior to removal from
the lab
BSL-3 Laboratory
•Physically
separate from
access corridors
•Self-closing
double door
•Exhausted air is
not re-circulated
•Negative airflow
into laboratory
Biosafety Level 3
Laboratory Facilities (Secondary Barriers)

It is recommended that BSL-3 lab

design and operation be re-verified,
at least annually, to certify the
design and operational parameters
 BSL-4

Dangerous/exotic agents of life

threatening nature, transmitted by
aerosol or transmission unknown

(Lassa fever virus, Ebola virus, Marburg

virus, Rift Valley Fever, Sin Nombre Virus,Corona virus
etc)
 In Addition to BSL-3:
Sign-in procedures to monitor
personnel
Clothing change before entering
Shower upon exiting
All material is decontaminated
Other requirements as required
by the risk assessment
 BSL-4 Laboratory

Cabinet
Laboratory
 BSL-4 Laboratory

Suit Laboratory
Utilizes full-body,
positive-pressure
suits
Your awareness
of your own
surroundings is
essential element
in maintaining
biocontainment
Thank you!