Division 4 Requirements for Laboratories (containment levels 1 to 4)
United Kingdom
In accordance with Directive 2000/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 September 2000 on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to biological agents at work (seventh individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) (OJ L 262, 17.10.2000, p. 21), Directive 90/219/EEC and European Norms: EN 12128; EN 12740; EN 12741.
| Containment measures | Containment level | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Laboratory suite: isolation | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Laboratories separated by doors | no | yes | yes | yes |
| An observation window or alternative must be present so that occupants can be seen | optional | optional | optional | yes |
| Hand washing facilities must be provided for personnel | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Disinfecting facilities (hands) must be provided | optional | yes | yes | yes |
| Restricted access | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Specific measures to control aerosol | no | Yes minimise | Yes prevent | Yes prevent |
| Biohazard sign on the door | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Shower | no | no | optional | yes |
| Eye irrigation | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Laboratory: sealable for fumigation | no | no | yes | yes |
| Surfaces resistant to water, acids, alkalis, solvents, disinfectants, decontamination agents and easy to clean | Yes (bench) | Yes (bench) | Yes (bench, floor) | Yes (bench, floor) |
| Entry to lab via airlock | no | no | optional | yes |
| Negative pressure relative to the pressure of the immediate environment | no | no | optional | yes |
| Extract and input air from laboratory must be HEPA-filtered | no | no | yes (extract air) | yes |
| Autoclave | on site | in the building | en suite | in lab, double ended |
| Protective clothing | Suitable protective clothing | Suitable protective clothing | Suitable protective clothing (optional footwear) | Complete change of clothing |
| Gloves | no | optional | yes | yes |
| Efficient vector control (e.g. for rodents and insects) | optional | yes | yes | yes |
| Safe Storage of a biological agent | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Laboratory to contain its own equipment | no | no | Recom-mended | yes |
There are additional European Norms which deal with the management and organisation of laboratories.
There are other national and international regulations and recommendations which must be followed. The WHO has published its Laboratory Biosafety Manual 3rd Edition on its website:
http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/biosafety/WHO_CDS_CSR_LYO_2004_11/en/