Biological Safety Cabinet Policy

Purpose To establish minimum UIC standards for the installation, utilization, maintenance and

certified inspection of biosafety cabinets.

Scope The following requirements shall apply and be followed by all UIC Departments and

personnel utilizing biosafety cabinets.

References Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories 5th Edition 2009 published

by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health

Primary Containment for Biohazards: Selection, Installation and Use of Biological Safety Cabinets, 3rd Edition, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health September 2007.

National Sanitation Foundation (NSF/ANSI) Standard 49, Annex F Class II Biosafety Cabinets and the NSF International Accreditation Policies for the Class II Biosafety Cabinet Field Certifier Accreditation Program. 2008.

UIC Biosafety Program Manual (EHSO website; http://www.uic.edu/depts/envh/)

Definitions Biosafety Cabinet (BSC) – A biological safety cabinet is the most commonly used

primary containment device in laboratories working with biological agents. Biosafety cabinets are categorized into different classes and types and recommended to be used for different risk levels of infectious agents. The classifications of biosafety cabinets are based on air inflow velocities, percentages of exhausted or recirculated air, directions of airflows inside the cabinets, and pressure differentials between contaminated duct or plenum to the room. Class II biosafety cabinets are most commonly used in laboratories, and have air partially recirculated in the units. The Class II cabinet protects personnel by utilizing an open front with a sash and inward airflow away from the researcher. It protects products inside the cabinet by HEPA filtered laminar airflow and the cabinet protects the environment through HEPA filtered exhaust air.

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Biosafety Cabinet Certification – The annual process of testing the performance and integrity of the biosafety cabinet by an NSF-certified technician, following the most current NSF 49 standards for Class II biosafety cabinets.

Biosafety Officer - A UIC EHSO staff person who is responsible for advising on the technical aspects of biological safety on the UIC campus.

HEPA Filter – High Efficiency Particulate Air filter that removes 99.97 percent of all airborne particles larger than 0.3 microns in diameter.

Magnehelic Gauge – measures pressure differential across filter elements, serving as a useful tool to determine when filters must be changed.

NSF – National Sanitation Foundation, an independent, not-for-profit, non-governmental organization that offers accreditation as a certifier of Class II biosafety cabinets to any individual subject to the requirements of NSF/ANSI Standard 49, Annex F, NSF policies and knowledge of microbiological practices and safety equipment including personal protective equipment.

NSF-Field Certifier – An individual that meets the accreditation requirements of NSF. Note that a Class II field Certification does not apply to field certification of Class I or Class III biosafety cabinets.

UV Lights – Ultraviolet lights

Procedures Applications

• Biosafety Cabinets will be used for work in Biological Risk Groups 2, 3, and 4 organisms for procedures that may produce aerosols.

• Biosafety Cabinets will be used for work with tissue cultures, particularly non-human primate and human tissue and organ cultures.

• Biosafety Cabinets will be used for work with antineoplastic drug processing.

Installation

• The Biosafety cabinet unit should be installed as far as possible, from ventilation, doors, high traffic areas, fume hoods, and windows that may be opened.

• The BSC must be certified immediately after installation or movement to a different location.

• The BSC must be decontaminated prior to initial use.

• Natural gas lines are not to be installed in new BSC’s.

• Installation of UV lights within a BSC is not recommended.

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• Installation of a BSC should be on a stable surface or a floor in good repair.

• Independent electrical circuit systems are required.

• A proper ceiling height of 12 to 14 inches above the top of the biosafety cabinet is required.

• Proper ventilation configuration per NSF 49 guidelines is required for ducted BSC’s.

• Professionally installed vacuum line plumbing is required if house vacuum is to be used within a BSC.

Maintenance

• Operative BSC’s must be cleaned and decontaminated when a spill within has occurred (see UIC Biosafety Manual).

• Operative BSC’s must be cleaned and decontaminated after every shift.

• A minimum of annual certification of an operative BSC is required, but may be twice annual depending upon usage or organism risk. Consult UIC Biosafety Officer to determine if an annual or twice annual certification is required.

• Magnehelic gauge readings must be logged after 5 minutes of initial startup. If a deviation in readings is observed either a blockage or a tear in the filter has occurred. Work must not progress in the BSC until a certifier has corrected the problem.

• For proper vacuum line set-up, place dual aspirator flasks in series with an in-line HEPA filter between the vacuum trap and the source valve.

• The heat sterilizing system of choice in a BSC is a ceramic biological incinerator (as an example the Bacticinerator brand).

Use

• Unblock front opening grate of the BSC.

• Work in a BSC from the clean side to the contaminated side.

• The UIC Biosafety Officer or certifier must approve any modifications to a BSC.

• No chemical manipulation is permitted in a Class I or a Class II A Biosafety cabinet.

• Limited chemical manipulation is allowed in a Class II B (vented) Biosafety Cabinets.

• If radionuclides are to be manipulated in a Class II Biosafety Cabinet, the Radiation Safety Section must be informed at 996-7429.

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• The use of any devices or activity that results in aerosol production such as: blenders, cell disrupting, lyophilizers, ampule opening, ultrasonic disrupters, and grinding equipment, should be performed in a BSC.

• Bunsen burners are not to be used, but short, on-demand gas burners are acceptable.

Training

• Documented and proper training is required prior to initial work within a Biosafety Cabinet.

• A copy of the training lesson plan must be submitted to the UIC EHSO.

• BSC training must be repeated annually and be documented.

• Written procedures covering the use and maintenance of a BSC must be provided.

Biological Safety Cabinet Safety

• Do not confuse laminar flow cabinets with biosafety cabinets

• Laminar flow cabinets can look very similar to biosafety cabinets, but they only protect samples inside the work zone from external airborne contamination.

• Laminar flow cabinets do not protect the operator.

• Read the labeling on your cabinet carefully before proceeding.

• Do not use the cabinet for agents of extreme hazard. The suitability of a cabinet for your application should be ascertained by an industrial hygienist or your safety officer. DO NOT use a biosafety cabinet with any toxic, flammable or explosive materials.

• Do not operate the cabinet if any of the alarms are activated

• Call your distributor for immediate service.

• A Bunsen burner should not be used in the cabinet. The resulting buoyancy effects will affect cabinet airflow and containment. When absolutely necessarily, low pilot light type electric burners may be used.

• Do not use the cabinet as a storage area. Overloading the cabinet with unnecessary items can affect cabinet airflow and containment.

• Proper cabinet location is critical. External airflow disturbances such as doors, excessive human traffic, windows, diffusers, air conditioners can compromise containment.

• Always operate the unit continuously during use. This will maintain the airflow barrier and prevent contaminants from escaping.

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• Minimize disturbances to airflow barrier. Work in a controlled and steady manner, avoiding rapid movements.

• The cabinet must be certified annually. Certification ensures cabinet airflows and containment factors are within safety limits. The cabinet should also be re-certified if it is physically relocated to ensure no filter damage has occurred.

• Observe proper surface decontamination. Decontaminate the work zone with cleaning agents before and after every use. The germicidal UV-lamp is not a substitute for good cleaning practices.

• Allow for purge cycles. Leave the blower on before and after use so as to purge the work zone of any contaminants.

• Observe correct sash opening height. Always set the sash to normal operating height when using the cabinet. The lower sash level should be parallel with shoulders when the individual is seated at the cabinet.

• Only trained personnel should use the cabinet

• Proper work attire. Wearing a back-fastened lab coat (to protect the operator from spillage) as well as double gloving (over the cuffs) should be practiced when appropriate for procedures with infectious agents.

• Work within the safe areas. DO NOT obstruct or block any of the air grilles in the front or back of the work zone. Work as deep into the work zone as comfortable and as possible.

• Observe proper aseptic technique. Plan your work flow before starting and place all items inside the cabinet before use. This will help to reduce having to take your arms out from the work zone which disturbs the air barrier. Always work from “clean” to “dirty,” segregating contaminated and non-contaminated materials.

Documentation NSF 49 certification verification

Biosafety Cabinet training log

Magnehelic gauge log

Annual BSC certification receipt

Written BSC procedures

Biosafety Cabinet Certification Sticker that includes the following information:

o Date of Certification o Cabinet Serial Number o Certifier’s Data Report Number

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o Next Due Date of Recertification o Certifying Company Name, Address and Phone Number o Printed Name of Certifier o The Field Certifier’s NSF Certificate Number o Signature of the Cabinet Certifier

Responsibilities Department Heads and Principal Investigators are responsible for disseminating and

reinforcing this procedure to all employees that utilize a Biosafety Cabinet.

The certifier of a biosafety cabinet shall have an active NSF 49 certification. No other person or company shall certify BSC’s on the UIC Campus. Contact the EHSO for a list of NSF 49 certified companies.

The department that purchases, receives or has ownership of a biosafety cabinet is responsible for reporting its ownership to the Environmental Health and Safety Office and shall update the yearly status of those cabinets.

The EHSO is responsible for periodic updating of this policy and for consultation to BSC users.