Create a Strong Safety Awareness Across Biosafety Levels

Laboratories working with pathogenic microorganisms conduct important research needed to protect public health and the environment. This is especially true of chemical engineering research that works with biological agents, including vaccine development and translational medicine developing disease...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chemical engineering progress 2019-04, Vol.115 (4), p.33-40
Main Author: Molé, Phil N
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Access control
Aerosols
Biohazards
Chemical engineering
Disease control
Disease prevention
Employees
Engineering research
Entrances
Eye protection
Health surveillance
Hospital administration
Materials handling
Medical laboratories
Microorganisms
Occupational safety
Operational hazards
Organic chemistry
Pathogens
Personal protective equipment
Public health
Risk assessment
Safety
Signs
Surveillance
Tuberculosis
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Summary:Laboratories working with pathogenic microorganisms conduct important research needed to protect public health and the environment. This is especially true of chemical engineering research that works with biological agents, including vaccine development and translational medicine developing disease treatment and prevention measures. Laboratory employees regularly risk exposure to pathogens and other biohazardous infectious materials that can cause serious, even fatal, effects. This article reviews some of the most important elements of safety for laboratories that work with biological hazards, and some of the key management takeaways for an operation that handles these materials. Regardless of the BSL, signage that includes the universal biohazard symbol should be posted at the entrance to any laboratory working with biological hazards. All employees at the facility, whether they work inside or outside of the laboratory, should receive training on how to recognize the symbol. It is critical for employees to understand that only authorized and trained personnel wearing personal protective equipment appropriate to the BSL should enter a biohazard laboratory area.
ISSN:0360-7275
1945-0710