This level of containment is appropriate for the handling of biological agents that are known not to cause harm under normal conditions to healthy humans and pose a minimal potential risk to laboratory personnel and the environment.
It is a basic laboratory, with sturdy furniture that is easy to clean and disinfect, but with no special design features.
Index:
Laboratory internships
- The laboratory doors must be kept closed and access to the laboratory will be limited, at the discretion of the person in charge of the laboratory, when the experiments are in progress.
- Work surfaces shall be decontaminated at least once a day, at the end of the workday and after any handling of biological material.
- Maintain order and cleanliness in the laboratory.
- Use hypodermic needles, syringes or other sharp instruments only when essential. In these cases, instruments with safety devices will be used, while safe procedures will be specified and applied both for their use and for their disposal and that of contaminated waste. The working personnel will also be trained and qualified for the proper application and use of the same.
- Sharp or cutting waste will be collected in suitable resistant containers.
- As far as possible, the glass material shall be replaced by plastic.
- Any technique or manipulation must be done in a way that minimizes the generation of aerosols and dust.
- The collection and cleaning of spills will be carried out in a safe manner according to written procedures.
- It is forbidden to pipe with the mouth, mechanical devices will be used.
- Avoid putting your hands, or any material, in your mouth as well as rubbing your eyes.
- It is not allowed to eat, drink, smoke, wear make-up or contact lenses in the laboratory.
- The food will be stored in refrigeration cabinets designed for this purpose and located outside the work area.
- After handling contaminated materials or animals, the workers should wash their hands, even if they are wearing gloves, and also when leaving the laboratory.
- It is forbidden to leave the laboratory with work clothes and personal protective equipment.
- Work clothes will not be stored in the same place as street clothes, it is recommended to have a double locker, one for street clothes and one for work clothes.
- The collection, handling, packaging and transport of samples, contaminated material or waste will be done in specific containers and in an adequate manner.
- Waste management will be carried out in accordance with the management procedure implemented at the UB.
- The person in charge of the laboratory will train and qualify all personnel in the different standard microbiological techniques and in the safe use of equipment and instruments.
- The research personnel will also have basic training in biosafety.
- Health surveillance of research personnel and vaccination will be carried out according to the material handled and the results of the biological risk assessment.
- A program of disinsection and pest control will be implemented.
- Animals not related to laboratory work are not allowed.
Safety equipment
- Normally, containment equipment, such as biological safety cabinets, is not required, but they will be used in the case of activities that may generate aerosols or in the case that large quantities are handled.
- Mechanical pipetting systems will be available.
- The use of smocks or other types of work clothes that prevent the contamination of street clothes is compulsory.
- The use of personal protective equipment is compulsory, such as waterproof gloves in case of possible contact, and goggles or face shields in case of possible projections or splashes.
Facilities
- It is not necessary for the laboratory to be separated or isolated from other areas of the building with public traffic.
- It is advisable that the laboratory door is automatically locked, protected against fire and provided with a peephole or other device that allows the occupants to be seen, as well as to report any accidents or incidents that may occur.
- The laboratory will be designed in such a way that its cleaning will be comfortable and accessible, with ceilings, floors and pavements that are easy to clean. El paviment serà antilliscant.
- The surfaces of the tiles shall be impermeable and resistant to acids, alkalis, organic solvents and moderate heat, easy to clean, avoiding cracks and corners that encourage the accumulation of dirt.
- The furniture will be sturdy. Between tables, shelves, cupboards, cabinets, cabins and other equipment there must be enough space to allow easy cleaning and comfortable movement of the workers.
- The laboratory shall have handwashing facilities installed near the exit, and emergency showers and eyewash facilities.
- Outside the laboratory there will be changing rooms with lockers for clothes, dining rooms and/or rest areas for personnel.
- In the case of operable windows, they must have protection against insect entry.
- There will be sufficient space for the storage of materials and reagents for immediate use. For long term storage we recommend a location outside the work area.
- Spaces, equipment and facilities will be available for handling and using chemical agents, radioactive material and compressed gases in adequate safety conditions and in accordance with the specific regulations in each case.
- The laboratory shall have adequate ventilation and lighting, avoiding annoying reflections and glare. In addition, it must have an emergency lighting system that allows safe exit from the laboratory and back-up electrogen equipment to power essential equipment (stoves, biosafety cabinets, freezers, etc.).
- The laboratory will have an adequate pharmacy and, if necessary, a first aid area or room.