CDC/NIH Vertebrate Animal Biosafety Level Criteria

1
CDC/NIH Vertebrate Animal Biosafety Level Criteria

• For all Animal Biosafety Levels (1 - 4)
• IACUC Approval
• Authorized access to facilities
• Animal handling training
• Medical surveillance program
• Written safety manual(s)
• Pest control program

2
CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level
Criteria

• For all Animal Biosafety Levels (1 - 4)
• no eating, drinking, smoking, touching face
• no food or drink storage within facilities
• minimize aerosols
• decontaminate work surfaces, equipment
• transport wastes in leak-proof covered containers
• handle sharps safely

3
CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level
Criteria

• For all Animal Biosafety Levels (1 - 4)
• Protective clothing recommended, not worn outside
  facility
• Facilities separate from general building traffic
• External doors self-closing/self-locking
• Animal room doors open inward, self-closing
• Water resistant, easily cleaned surfaces
  (horizontal surfaces kept to a minimum)

4
CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level
Criteria

• For all Animal Biosafety Levels (1 - 4)
• Sealed, break resistant windows
• Floor drain traps filled with water or
  disinfectant
• No recirculation of exhaust air
• Rooms have negative pressure gradient to adjacent
  hallway
• Hand washing sink available in facility
• 180 F cage wash rinse temperature
• Adequate illumination

5
CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level
Criteria

• Animal Biosafety Level 2 (ABSL2)
• Restrict access to few as possible (advise
  support staff of potential hazards)
• Biohazard sign posted on animal room entrance
  (hazard ID, contact info., entry requirements)
• Immunizations, serum surveillance
• Labeled leakproof carriers, exterior disinfected
  before transport (wastes, tissues, etc.)
• Safe sharps policies (plasticware, safe sharps
  devices, limited use of needles/syringes)

6
CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level
Criteria

• Animal Biosafety Level 2 (ABSL2)
• Limited to animals dedicated to work
• Exposures, spills reported immediately
• Gloves, gowns, uniforms or lab coats worn in
  rooms (removed prior to exit)
• Face protection (goggles, safety glasses, full
  face shields, masks) selected on basis of risk
• Biosafety cabinets used to confine aerosol
  procedures

7
CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level
Criteria

• Animal Biosafety Level 2 (ABSL2)
• Filter top cages, cage dumping containment
  stations used where appropriate
• Autoclave available
• hand washing sink in animal room

8
CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level
Criteria

• Animal Biosafety Level 3 (ABSL3)
• Individuals at increased risk of infection not
  allowed in facility
• All wastes treated before disposal as regulated
  biomedical waste (incineration recommended)
• Specialized training provided and updated
• Cages autoclaved/decontaminated before bedding is
  removed
• Spill procedures posted

9
CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level
Criteria

• Animal Biosafety Level 3 (ABSL3)
• Uniforms or scrub suits covered by solid-front
  gown
• Face/eye, and where necessary, respiratory
  protection worn by all who enter animal rooms
• Boots, shoe covers, etc. worn when needed
• Consider use of containment ventilated cage
  units, housing in biosafety cabinets, of filter
  bonnets.

10
CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level
Criteria

• Animal Biosafety Level 3 (ABSL3)
• All procedures performed in biosafety cabinet
  (wear respiratory protection if working outside
  cabinet)
• Consider clothes change room and shower
• Penetrations in rooms are sealed or capable of
  being sealed
• Hands-free sink near exit door
• Sink-trap filled with disinfectant after each use

11
CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level
Criteria

• Animal Biosafety Level 3 (ABSL3)
• Ducted exhaust ventilation system
• Exhaust discharge away from air intakes,
• Consider HEPA filtration of exhaust air
• Room airflow monitoring device (personnel verify
  airflow direction upon entry)
• Consider alarms for ventilation system failure
• Consider interlock of exhaust/supply systems to
  avoid pressurization

12
CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level
Criteria

• Animal Biosafety Level 3 (ABSL3)
• Biosafety cabinets tested/certified annually
• Autoclave located near BL3 suite
• Vacuum system protected with HEPA filter if used
• Initial and annual verification of BL3 facility
  design parameters
• Consider additional facility enhancements as
  needed (effluent decontamination, showers, etc)

13
CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level
Criteria

• Animal Biosafety Level 4 (ABSL4)
• Program includes post-exposure counseling and
  prophylaxis
• Site-specific biosafety manual prepared
• Double-door pass through autoclave
• Procedures performed in pairs
• Materials unrelated to work not allowed in
  facility
• Additional access control measures (security
  guard)

14
CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level
Criteria

• Animal Biosafety Level 4 (ABSL4)
• Complete clothes change, personal shower upon
  exit
• All material in/out of facility through pass
  through autoclave or disinfectant chamber
• Autoclave door interlocked to prevent both open
  simultaneously
• Chart exposures, accidents/incidents, employee
  absenteeism, appearance of related signs/symptoms
  of infection

15
CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level
Criteria

• Animal Biosafety Level 4 (ABSL4)
• Serum samples analyzed at defined intervals
• Positive pressure suits or Class III biosafety
  cabinet line
• Very unique engineering requirements for BL4
  laboratories (dedicated building within building
  concept)