How to use this tool
For the table below:
§ For a description of Good Laboratory Practices, go to the https://www.cdc.gov/labs/BMBL.html.
⊕ Procedures include but not limited to: centrifuging, grinding, blending, vigorous shaking or mixing, sonic disruption, opening containers of biohazardous materials after above procedures
BSL-1
Public Access: Not recommended
Bench-top work: Permitted
Decontamination: Daily and following any spill
Eating drinking applying lip balm etc.: Permitted only in designated clean areas
Lab coats: Recommended
Personal Protective Equipment: Follow good lab practices.§
Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC): Not required
Storage Equipment: No Biohazard signs required
Physical containment: Decontaminate equipment immediately after use
Hand-washing facilities: Required
Pipetting: Only mechanical device
HEPA-filtered vacuum lines: Recommended
BSL-2
Public Access: Limit access to lab while BSL-2 work is being conducted
Bench-top work: Permitted only for low-risk procedures
Decontamination: Daily and following any spill
Eating drinking applying lip balm etc.: Permitted only in approved and designated clean areas
Lab coats: Required when work with BSL-2 is being conducted
Personal Protective Equipment: Required: Wear appropriate combinations of special protective clothing for all activities with biohazardous materials
Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC): Required for all aerosol generated processes
Storage Equipment: Biohazard signs required all equipment must be labeled with contents
Physical containment: Use physical containment devices during procedures that have a high potential to create aerosols when using biohazardous material. Decontaminate immediately after use
Hand-washing facilities: Required
Pipetting: Only mechanical device
HEPA-filtered vacuum lines: Required
BSL-2+
Public Access: Restricted
Bench-top work: Not permitted for biohazardous materials
Decontamination: Daily; immediately following work with biohazardous materials and following any spill
Eating drinking applying lip balm etc.: Not permitted at any time. Food or drink may not be brought into or through lab
Lab coats: Required (wraparound disposable preferable)
Personal Protective Equipment: Required: Wear appropriate combinations of special protective clothing for all activities with biohazardous materials
Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC): Required for all work with biohazardous agents
Storage Equipment: Biohazard signs required all equipment must be labeled with contents
Physical containment: Use physical containment devices (centrifuge safety cup, sealed centrifuge rotor) for all activities using biohazardous material. Open containers in a BCS. Decontaminate immediately after use
Hand-washing facilities: Required (foot elbow or electronic activation preferable)
Pipetting: Only mechanical device
HEPA-filtered vacuum lines: Required
BSL-3
Public Access: Not permitted
Bench-top work: Not permitted for biohazardous materials
Decontamination: Daily; immediately following work with biohazardous materials and following any spill
Eating drinking applying lip balm etc.: Not permitted at any time. Food or drink may not be brought into or through lab
Lab coats: Required (wraparound disposable preferable)
Personal Protective Equipment: Required: Wear appropriate combinations of special protective clothingplus NIOSH N95 respirators or equivalentall activities with biohazardous materials
Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC): Required for all work with biohazardous agents
Storage Equipment: Biohazard signs required all equipment must be labeled with contents
Physical containment: Use physical containment devices (centrifuge safety cup, sealed centrifuge rotor) for all activities using biohazardous material. Open containers in a BCS. Decontaminate immediately after use
Hand-washing facilities: Required (foot elbow or electronic activation required)
Pipetting: Only mechanical device
HEPA-filtered vacuum lines: Required
