Safety Awareness for Use of Biological Safety Cabinets

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Safety Awareness for Use of Biological Safety
Cabinets
Presented by Kim Dunn Chapital Occupational
Health Manager
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What are Biological Safety Cabinets?

• Containment and protection devices used in
  laboratories working with biological agents
• Their primary purpose is to protect the
  laboratory worker and the environment from living
  organisms while keeping the work product clean

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The Biological Safety Cabinet
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Biological Safety Cabinet and How They Work

• A. Front opening
• B. Sash
• C. Exhaust HEPA filter
• D. Rear plenum
• E. Supply HEPA filter
• F. Blower

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BSC SELECTION

• Based upon the agent and procedures performed
• OEHS review of equipment
• Researcher provides info
• Approval by OEHS required and submitted to
  Purchasing Dept. in writing

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BSC Use - Safe Work Practices in the Lab

• Unit Certification
• Performed on new unit before usage, after filter
  changes, after a unit is moved from one location
  to another, and when deemed necessary if a
  problem arises.
• Typically conducted annually.
• Performed by qualified individual(s).
• Conducted in accordance with the National
  Sanitation Foundation (NSF) International
  Standard No. 49 for Class II (Laminar Flow)
  Biohazard Cabinetry
• Includes all or some of the following tests HEPA
  Filter Leak, Inflow Downflow Velocity Profile,
  Airflow Smoke Patterns, Electrical, Noise,
  Lighting, and Vibration

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BSC Use - Safe Work Practices in the Lab

• Make a written checklist

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BSC Use - Safe Work Practices in the Lab

• Wear Appropriate PPE
• Ensure appropriate stool height

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BSC Use - Safe Work Practices in the Lab

• Chemical usage
• Open flame usage

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BSC Use - Safe Work Practices in the Lab

• Purge unit 3 to 5 minutes before beginning
  work
• Wipe unit and supplies inside of unit
• Ensure proper placement of ones arms, absorbent
  towels, and materials inside the unit
• Active work inside the unit Clean to
  contaminated area
• DO NOT PLACE ITEMS ON TOP OF THE UNIT

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BSC Use - Safe Work Practices in the Lab

• Decontaminate items removed from unit
• Decontaminate unit with gas as needed

Clean spills immediately
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BSC Use - Safe Work for Practices for Maintenance
Activities

• Call OEHS for guidance before commencement of
  work.
• Ensure unit is deconed prior to maintenance
  activities being conducting work inside of a
  contaminated plenum.
• Do not allow maintenance personnel to
• perform work (i.e., change light) inside the unit
  without performing a surface wipe
• perform work with the UV Light ON
• cut holes in the unit
• change HEPA filters in the unit
• sit items on top of the unit
• puncture the filters inside of the unit

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QUESTIONS

• Kim Dunn Chapital
• Occupational Health Manager
• T.U. OEHS
• 988-2870 (phone)
• kchapit_at_tulane.edu