STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
Procedure:
Use of Biosafety II cabinet
School/Department:
SOP prepared by:
School of Biological Science
Nick Coleman (SMB) edit M Joseph
Section 1 - Personal Protective Equipment
1.
2.
3.
4.
Lab gown or lab coat – gown is preferred for working in a PC2 lab
Nitrile or latex gloves
Proper enclosed footwear
Hair tied back if long
Section 2 – Potential Hazards + Safety precautions
1. Possibility of infection with microbial pathogens or release of GMOs to the
environment due to incorrect use of cabinet. To prevent this, read and
understand the risk assessment and SOP for the biosafety cabinet before use.
Also, read and understand the risk assessments and SOPs for “Biohazard Spill”
and “Working with risk group 2 microorganisms” and/or “Humans and human
tissues” and/or “Animals and animal tissues”. Know the specific hazards
associated with the biological samples you are using before you start work.
2. Possibility of fire in the biosafety cabinet due to inappropriate use - Do not use
Bunsen burners or other naked flames in the biosafety cabinet.
3. Possibility of burns to eyes or skin from UV light in cabinet. Ensure UV is turned off
before using the cabinet.
4. Fire hazard due to use of ethanol to sterilise the cabinet. Ensure ethanol is
handled safely, and not near naked flame. Read also “Flammables” SOP and
risk assessment. Do not use excessive amounts of ethanol in the cabinet, as the
vapours can accumulate inside. Only use the minimum amount required to
clean the surfaces.
Section 3 – Procedure
1. Know the location of spill kits, eyewashes, safety showers before starting work.
2. Book a time to use the BSC if a booking system is available.
3. Turn on the blower in the cabinet at least 10 minutes before placing infectious
materials into the hood.
4. Check the certification sticker and ‘Magnehelic’ gauge to verify that the
biosafety cabinet is working properly. If not, do not use cabinet, and consult our
supervisor
5. Check the air flow indicator to verify that the air flow is operating properly.
6. Put on PPE as described above
7. Ensure UV light is OFF before starting work. UV is damaging, especially to eyes
8. Ensure a spill kit is close at hand, and that you know how to use this kit.
9. DO NOT disrupt the airflow through the hood by placing ANY item on the air
vents. Minimise the amount of material in the hood as much as possible to assist
with maintaining good airflow. Allow gaps between items at the back of the
hood such that air can flow around these.
10. The interior of the hood should be considered to be a contaminated zone, even
though efforts should be made to keep the surfaces clean.
Issue date: 20/11/12
Review date: 20/11/13
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11. Swab the inside surfaces of the BSC with 80% ethanol before and after beginning
work. If you are working with agents that will not be killed by ethanol, use an
alternative disinfectant eg. Viraclean. Do not use bleach routinely in the BSC as
this will corrode the steel surfaces of the cabinet.
12. Use excellent aseptic technique when working in the cabinet. Be mindful of
which items are contaminated – these must not leave the cabinet without first
being killed or contained in an sealed strong container.
13. Allow the blower to run for at least 10 minutes following use.
14. Turn on the UV light between different procedures in the BSC (at least 5 minutes)
and then at the end of the day (20-30 min).
Section 4 – Disposal / Spills / Incidents
1. All biohazard spills must be cleaned up immediately. (see appropriate Biohazard
Spill SOP). If you need to use bleach to do this, ensure you follow up with a
water-soaked wipe such that the bleach residues are not left in the cabinet,
these will corrode the surfaces.
2. If you are exposed to infectious materials or if you become sick and you suspect
this is due to biological agents you have handled at work, you must report this to
your supervisor as soon as possible, and fill in an online incident report form.
3. Any injuries or incidents must be reported immediately to your supervisor and
within 24 h using the online incident report form. Near misses (hazardous
situations not leading to an incident) should also be reported
Section 5 – Repairs / Certification / Validation
1. BSC’s must be inspected annually by properly-certified individuals (not just
regular users of the cabinet). Especially important is that the airflow is checked,
the filters cleaned or replaced and the UV lights replaced (these will reduce in
intensity over time, and need replacing approximately annually)
Section 6 – Relevant Material safety data sheets
1. MSDS of the organisms / biohazards you are working on, if available
2. MSDS for ethanol, bleach, any other disinfectants used
Section 7 - References
1. Essential: Risk assessments and SOPs for Biosafety Cabinet, Biohazard Spill,
Working with Flammables.
2. Other (varies depending on work done): Working with risk group 2
microorganisms, Humans and human tissues, Animals and animal tissues
Issue date: 20/11/12
Review date: 20/11/13
Page 2 of 3
SOP Training Confirmation
By signing below, these individuals confirm that they have read and
understood the SOP, and agree to always follow the instructions in this
SOP when performing this procedure.
Position
Name
Signature
Date
Supervisor
employee / student
employee / student
employee / student
employee / student
employee / student
employee / student
employee / student
employee / student
employee / student
employee / student
employee / student
employee / student
employee / student
employee / student
employee / student
employee / student
employee / student
employee / student
employee / student
employee / student
employee / student
employee / student
employee / student
employee / student
employee / student
WHS Committee Approval
Representative: A. Prof Frank Seebacher Chair Safety Committee
Signature: ........................................................ Date: .....................................
Issue date: 20/11/12
Review date: 20/11/13
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