Laboratory Safety Practices Quiz

Biosafety Levels Overview

• Biosafety is the application of safety precautions to reduce the risk of exposure to potentially infectious material in laboratories, limiting contamination and protecting the community.

Biological Safety Level 1 (BSL-1)

• Suitable for work involving well-characterized agents not known to cause disease in healthy adults.
• Minimal hazard to laboratory personnel and the environment.
• Laboratories are not typically separated from general building traffic.
• Work is typically on open bench tops using standard microbiological practices.
• Special containment equipment is not required.
• Pest control programs are essential.
• Personnel are specifically trained and supervised by scientists with general microbiology training.
• Standard special practices, safety equipment, and facilities are applied to all biosafety levels.
• Access to the lab is limited when experiments with specimens and cultures are underway.
• Hands must be washed after removing gloves and before leaving.

Standard Microbiological Practices (BSL-1)

• Eating, drinking, and applying cosmetics are prohibited in work areas with reasonable exposure likelihood to infectious materials.
• Contact lenses should be worn with goggles or face shields.
• Food storage is outside the lab in designated cabinets or refrigerators to prevent contamination.
• Mouth pipetting is forbidden, using mechanical pipettes instead.
• All procedures minimize splashing or aerosols, and work surfaces are decontaminated daily and after any spill of viable materials.
• All cultures, stocks, and regulated wastes are decontaminated before disposal.
• Decontaminated materials are placed in durable, leak-proof containers for transport from the lab, following local, state, and federal regulations.

Safety Equipment (BSL-1)

• Special containment equipment like biological safety cabinets is generally not required.
• Laboratory coats, gowns, or uniforms are recommended to prevent contamination of street clothes.
• Gloves are recommended when skin is broken or a rash exists.
• Protective eyewear is required for anticipated splashes of microorganisms or other hazardous material.

Laboratory Facilities (BSL-1)

• Each lab has a handwashing sink.
• Labs are designed for easy cleaning and decontamination.
• Rugs are not suitable for lab environments because decontamination is more difficult.
• Countertops are impervious to water and resistant to acids, alkalis, organic solvents, and moderate heat.
• Bench spaces and equipment areas are accessible for cleaning.
• If windows open, they must be fitted with screens (to prevent pests).

Biological Safety Level 2 (BSL-2)

• Pathogens can cause human or animal illness.
• Exposures rarely result in serious illness, and effective treatment and preventive measures are readily available.
• Risk is moderate to individuals, with limited potential for community spread.
• Examples of agents include E. coli, California encephalitis viruses, influenza viruses, some fungi, and parasites.

Procedures for Containing Risk Group 2 Organisms (BSL-2)

• The laboratory should be separated from other areas.
• A biohazard sign is visible.
• Lab surfaces should be cleanable and impervious.
• An autoclave should be present.
• A certified HEPA filtered class 1 or 2 biological cabinet for organism manipulation.
• Gloves and lab coats must be worn continuously.

Biological Safety Level 3 (BSL-3)

• Pathogens usually cause serious human or animal disease, possible serious consequences, but don't generally spread from one person to another.
• High risk to the individual, low risk to the community.
• Examples include anthrax, Q fever, tuberculosis, hantaviruses, and various encephalitis viruses.

Procedures for Containing Risk Group 3 Organisms (BSL-3)

• Staff must be fully trained in handling pathogenic materials, safety equipment, disposal, and emergency response.
• Standard operating procedures are visible.
• Equipment includes an autoclave and a certified HEPA filtered class II biological safety cabinet.
• Activities with infectious materials are conducted in biological safety cabinets, or equivalent.
• Appropriate combinations of personal protective and physical containment devices are used.
• PPE includes head covers, dedicated footwear, gloves, and respiratory protection.
• Laboratories are specially designed/constructed with controlled access, double-door entry and body showers.
• Air pressure is maintained negative, with no recirculation and HEPA filtration.

Biological Safety Level 4 (BSL-4)

• Agents pose a high risk for serious human or animal disease and even possible serious economic consequences. They are life-threatening and can form aerosols.
• Examples include Ebola, Marburg, and Lassa fever viruses.

Special Practices (BSL-4)

• Only authorized personnel are allowed entry.
• Immunodeficient individuals and pregnant women are excluded.
• A logbook meticulously records entry and exit times.
• Universal hazard labels indicate infectious agent description, and responsible director details.
• PPE (including respirators) and any required immunizations are provided and used.
• All lab personnel are specially trained.
• Staff are vaccinated for the pathogens.
• All lab personnel are vaccinated.
• Baseline serum samples are collected and stored.
• Materials entry and exit is performed with double door autoclave decontamination.
• Supplies/Materials are sterilized, decontaminated after each use with a double-door autoclave.
• Plastic is substituted for glass.
• Broken glass is collected with a dust pan and broom.
• All viable materials are transferred from the biological safety cabinet into a primary container and then a non-breakable secondary container for removal by airlocks, with minimal air emission during single-at-a-time openings.
• Lab equipment is decontaminated after use and spills, or before repairs.
• Non-related materials are prohibited.
• Systems for emergencies (exposure, employee absenteeism), medical care for exposure illnesses, and accident records are essential in a BSL-4 lab.
• Class III biological safety cabinets (for handling infectious material) are common, along with Class II cabinets and a positive pressure (life-support system) ventilation. The system must be validated monthly. Required PPE includes a jumpsuit, gloves, and closed-toe shoes (removable after showering in an inner change room.)
• Specific laboratory facilities include separate buildings/isolated units within same building compared to BSL level 1-3 to prevent cross-contamination, sealed internal shell walls, floors, ceilings to keep pests out), chemical disinfectant traps in drains, HEPA filters, separated outer and inner change rooms. A dunk-tank, fumigation chamber, or airlock are provided. Non-recirculating ventilation systems are directional, directing the air flow from the outside into the lab.

Test your knowledge on laboratory safety practices and protocols, including handling infectious materials and proper equipment use. This quiz covers essential safety guidelines and regulations necessary for lab personnel to follow. Challenge yourself and ensure you're informed about best practices in a laboratory setting.