Scribd
Upload
14 views

BSC-WPC

This document outlines safety precautions and procedures for working in a Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC), emphasizing the importance of maintaining airflow and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE). It details steps for preparing the BSC, conducting work safely inside it, and cleaning after use, including decontamination protocols. Additionally, it stresses the need for regular maintenance and certification of the BSC to ensure safe operation.

Uploaded by

Haimanti
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
14 views

BSC-WPC

This document outlines safety precautions and procedures for working in a Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC), emphasizing the importance of maintaining airflow and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE). It details steps for preparing the BSC, conducting work safely inside it, and cleaning after use, including decontamination protocols. Additionally, it stresses the need for regular maintenance and certification of the BSC to ensure safe operation.

Uploaded by

Haimanti
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Working Safely in a Biological Safety Cabinet

Revision Date: 03/16/18

Precautions
• Keep papers, paper towels, Kim Wipes, work surface diapers, vials, or any other objects from being pulled in
the back, front, or side slots or grills. These items can damage the cabinet’s internal components.
• Do not store equipment or supplies in the cabinet.
• Do not use the top of the cabinet for storage. The HEPA filter could be damaged and the airflow disrupted.
• Never disengage the alarm. It indicates improper airflow and reduced performance that may endanger the
researcher or the experiment.

Personal Protective Equipment:


Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn. Lab coats must be buttoned. Gloves should be
pulled over the wrists of lab coat, not worn inside coat. Additional PPE to be used as recommended.

Preparing BSC for work:


• Confirm BSC annual (within 12 months) certification is current (certification information is located on the
sticker at the front of the BSC).
• If the BSC has a UV light, turn the UV light off prior to starting work.
• Operate cabinet blowers at least 3-5 minutes before beginning work to allow the BSC to “purge”
particulates.
o Listen for the blower to verify there is airflow.
o If installed, verify the BSC’s gauges and indicators have the appropriate readings.

WARNING: Never operate a BSC while a warning light or alarm is on. Call EHS at (734) 647-1143 to
service failing BSCs.

• Wipe down the following BSC surfaces with the appropriate disinfectant for the materials in use:
o Work surface
o Interior walls (except for the supply filter diffuser)
o Interior surface of the window

NOTE: Use one the following disinfectants to wipe down the surfaces:
 70% ethanol (EtOH)
 A 1:10 dilution of household bleach (i.e., 0.05% sodium hypochlorite)

NOTE: When bleach is used, a second wiping with sterile water is needed to remove the residual
chlorine, which may eventually corrode stainless steel surfaces.
 Other disinfectant as determined by the investigator to meet the requirements of the particular
activity

BSC-WPC Page 1 of 3
Revision Date: 03/16/18
• Wipe down the surfaces of all materials and containers that will be placed in the cabinet with 70% EtOH to
reduce the introduction of contaminants to the cabinet environment.
• Store extra supplies (e.g., additional gloves, culture plates or flasks, culture media) outside the BSC
• Place all the equipment and supplies, including receptacle for waste and used pipettes, inside the BSC to
minimize entering and exiting. When placing the equipment and supplies into the BSC:
o Segregate items that will remain clean from the ones that will become contaminated
o Place all materials as far back in the BSC as practical, toward the rear edge of the work surface and away
from the front grille of the cabinet
o Place aerosol-generating equipment (e.g., vortex mixers, tabletop centrifuges) toward the rear of the
cabinet
o Place bulky items such as biohazard bags, discard pipette trays and vacuum collection flasks to one side
of the interior of the cabinet
o Keep all materials at least four inches inside the sash opening. Never place items on the front or rear
perforated grills.
• Connect aspirator bottles to vacuum system (including an inline HEPA filter) or, alternatively, use a collection
flask to suction liquid waste. Both systems must contain the appropriate disinfectant.
• After placing equipment inside, close the sash to the proper operating height.
• Wait 2-3 more minutes before beginning work.
• Close drain valve

Working in the BSC:


• Confirm everything necessary for the procedure is already inside the BSC and is sterile.
• Ensure the vertical sliding sash at the correct height.
• Allow only one BSCs operator at a time.
• Sit at the BSC with armpits level with the bottom of the sash.
• Perform all operations at least 4 inches from the front grille on the work surface.
• Minimize activities that create eddy currents (opening and closing doors and windows, personnel walking
near the cabinet).
• Perform all work using a limited number of slow movements, as quick movements disrupt the air barrier.
• Disposable underpads can be placed on the work surface, but must not cover the front or rear grille
openings. The use of toweling facilitates routine cleanup and reduces splatter and aerosol generation during
an overt spill.
• Hold Petri dishes and tissue culture plate lids above the open sterile surface to minimize direct impact of
downward air.
• Recap and cover bottles and tubes as soon as possible.

• Decontaminate bacteriological loops and needles.

BSC-WPC Page 2 of 3
Revision Date: 03/16/18
After Using the BSC
• Turn off equipment used to decontaminate bacteriologic loops and needles, if used.
• Decontaminate materials that will be removed from the BSC.

NOTE: Refer to the laboratory SOP for instructions about the decontamination process within the
laboratory.

• Place contaminated items into a biohazard bag, discard tray, or other suitable container prior to removal
from the BSC.
• Run the BSC for three minutes, WITH NO ACTIVITY, so the airborne contaminates will be purged from the
work area
• Remove equipment.
• If using a UV lamp:
o Clean the UV lamp weekly to remove dust and dirt that may block the germicidal effectiveness of the UV
lamp
o Check the output of the UV lamp weekly to ensure the correct intensity of the UV light is being emitted

Cleaning the BSC after Use


• Clean the BSC after each use.
• Wipe the interior surfaces with 70% ethanol.
NOTE: Do not use a spray bottle to apply the disinfectant to surfaces. The solvent vapor concentrations will
be re-circulated in the hood.

• Wipe (or disinfect) the surfaces of potentially contaminated materials.

BSC-WPC Page 3 of 3
Revision Date: 03/16/18

You might also like