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Principles of Biosafety
Introduction
Microorganisms are grouped into four Biosafety Levels (BSL):
- BSL1
- BSL2
- BSL3
- BSL4
The CDC/NIOSH guidelines (Biosafety in the Microbiology and Biomedical Laboratory, 4th Edition (also known as the BMBL4)) describe combinations of:
- Laboratory Practices and Techniques
- Standard Practices
- Special Practices
- Safety Equipment (Primary Barriers)
- Laboratory Facilities (Secondary Barriers)
appropriate for work with each level of organism. Each level involves:
- Increasing levels of personnel and environmental protection
- Guidelines for working safely in microbiological and biomedical laboratories.
All Biosafety Levels require:
- Knowledgeable supervisor
- Personnel Aware of potential hazards
- Personnel Proficient in practices/techniques
- Biosafety manual specific to lab
