Environmental Health & Safety

Phone: (314) 362-6816
Fax: (314) 362-1995
Email: esafety@msnotes.wustl.edu

BSL-1 Practices

 

·        Work is done in a standard lab facility

·        Access to the lab is limited

·        Work surfaces are decontaminated daily or after a spill

·        All waste is decontaminated before disposal

·        Mouth pipetting is prohibited

·        No eating, drinking, smoking or applying cosmetics.

·        Lab workers wash their hands after handling contaminated materials and before leaving the lab

·        Procedures should minimize aerosol creation

·        PPE is available for use

·        Hand washing sink is available

 

BSL-2 Practices

 

·        Work is done in a standard lab facility

·        BSL-1 plus:

·        Hazardous items must be transported in sturdy, leakproof container

·        Only those who have lab-specific training and any necessary immunizations may enter the lab

·        Hazard warning signs must be posted (agents, name and phone number of PI, any special requirements for entering lab)

·        Lab coats are worn in the lab (and only in the lab)

·        Gloves are worn when handling microbiological agents or infected animals

·        Sharps are used only when necessary and should be disposed of directly into an approved sharps container

·        Spills and exposures are reported to the Biosafety Officer and Workers Compensation

·        A biosafety manual is prepared

·        Biosafety cabinets are used when aerosol production is possible or when high concentrations or large volumes of agent are handled

 

BSL-2⁺ (BSL-3 Practices in BSL-2 Facility)

 

·        Work is done in a standard lab facility

·        Only those actively working should be present (to reduce the potential for accidental exposure).

·        Appropriate biohazard signage is posted whenever work is in progress.

·        Two pairs of gloves and a disposable lab coat should be worn at all times.  The outer pair of gloves should be removed inside the biosafety cabinet to prevent contamination of equipment and surfaces outside of the cabinet.  Eye protection is recommended.

·        All work is performed in a certified biosafety cabinet (BSC).

·        BSC is decontaminated with an appropriate disinfectant immediately following work.

·        Infected cultures should be in a dedicated incubator or held within secondary containment in a common incubator.

·        Strict sharps precautions are followed (eliminate sharps if at all possible).

·        Liquid waste is decontaminated daily with 10% bleach (final concentration).

·        Solid waste is decontaminated daily by autoclave.

 

 

BSL-3 Practices

 

·        Work is done in specialized BSL-3 facility

·        BSL-1, BSL-2 plus:

·        No one under 16 years of age is allowed in the lab

·        Access is restricted to those whose presence is required for research or maintenance activities

·        All work is done inside a biosafety cabinet

·        Surfaces are disinfected at the end of work, daily, and after a spill

·        No animals or plants unrelated to the research are allowed in the lab

·        Respirators are worn when handling animals

·        All waste must be decontaminated within the suite

·        Vacuum lines are protected with traps or HEPA filters

·        Sharps should be avoided if at all possible

·        Spills and exposures are reported to the Biosafety Officer and Workers Compensation

·        Centrifuge safety cups, sealed centrifuge rotors, and respirators must be used when necessary

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