About Pre conference course C. Working Safely in the Biosafety Cabinet (½ day)
Pre conference course C. Working Safely in the Biosafety Cabinet (½ day)
Instructor
Course description
The biosafety cabinet (class II) is the most important and most widely used primary barrier in the microbiological and biomedical laboratory (BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4). Biosafety cabinets protect against aerosol exposure and to a lesser degree against small droplets. The protection of the operator depends on the selection of appropriate types and size of the cabinet, proper function, correct placement of the cabinet in the laboratory, and how the actual work in the cabinet is organized and carried out. Biosafety cabinets need appropriate maintenance and annual testing. The user (or BSO) should be able to identify mal-functioning cabinets. The course starts with the technical background of the types of biosafety cabinets available on the market, and their strengths and limitations. Video demonstrations (or a BSC available in the course room) are used to illustrate airflow, procedures with varying quality and perfection, as well as a demonstration of small spill management.
Main topics
- Laminar flowhoods and biosafety cabinets
- Classes and types of BSCs and their function
- BSC standards and tests
- Do’s and don't’s: understand protection limits
- Decontamination and cleaning
- BSC Placement in the laboratory, ergonomics
- Work organisation in the BSC
- Procurement pointers
CWA 16335:2011, annex C reference
- C.2.1.2.2 Occupational Health and Biosafety
- C.2.1.2.4 Containment Principles
- C.2.1.2.8 Selection, Validation, Certification and Maintenance of Equipment
- C.2.1.2.9 Good Microbiological Techniques (GMT)