The ORCBS - Biological Safety - Programs & Guidelines

The Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory: Special Practices

The following special practices must be utilized in a BSL-3 lab:

Laboratory entrance
Before entering the laboratory, all people must be made aware of the potential hazards. They must also meet all entry and exit requirements (e.g., donning and doffing of personal protective equipment, immunization requirements, handwashing, etc.).

Medical surveillance
All laboratories using human-derived materials or cell lines must participate in the Bloodborne Pathogens Program. See the following section of this manual for additional information: Medical Surveillance. For the use of other agents, medical surveillance and immunizations will be provided as appropriate. Occupational Health as well as the ORCBS should be contacted for assistance.

Laboratory specific biosafety manual
Each laboratory must supplement this biosafety manual with information that is specific for the individual laboratory. Supplemental information may include: specific PPE practices and location of supplies, laboratory specific training requirements, laboratory specific waste handling practices and autoclave procedures, safe operation and decontamination of lab specific equipment, proper use of disinfectants specific for the lab (appropriate concentration, contact time and shelf life), etc.

Training
Lab personnel must demonstrate proficiency in standard and special microbiological practices before handling BSL-3 agents. It is the responsibility of the PI to ensure that proficiency has been demonstrated.

Containers for potentially infectious materials
Containers used to collect, handle, process, store, or transport within a facility, potentially infectious materials must be durable, leak-proof with a lid. The containers must be properly labeled with the contents and a biohazard symbol.

Decontamination of laboratory equipment
Lab equipment must be decontaminated routinely. It must also be decontaminated after spills, splashes or when potentially contaminated. All spills must be cleaned by personnel who are properly trained and have the proper equipment to handle infectious materials. All BSL-3 labs should have a biological spill kit available. See the following section of this manual for spill clean up procedures and spill kit contents: Biohazard Spill Cleanup Procedures . All equipment must be decontaminated before being repaired, maintained, or removed from the laboratory. When any of these is to occur lab personnel must complete an Equipment Release Form and attach it to the piece of equipment. See Appendix E for an example of the form.

Exposure incidents
Exposure response procedures should be posted in an easily accessible location in the laboratory. All lab personnel should be made aware of the proper procedures to follow in the event of a possible exposure to potentially infectious materials. See Appendix F for exposure response procedures.

Non-research related animals and plants in the laboratory
Animals and plants not associated with the work being done are not allowed in the laboratory.

Manipulating infectious materials
All procedures that involve the manipulation of infectious materials must be conducted within a biological safety cabinet or other approved containment devices. Work involving open vessels cannot be conducted on the open bench. If a procedure cannot be conducted in a BSC, a combination of PPE and other containment devices can be used if approved by the Biological Safety Officer.