BSL2 Lab Inspection Guidelines
Click to expand each category and topic to review safety guidelines, compliance details, and resources for items inspected by the Biosafety Office. Use the BSL2 Lab Inspection Checklist to ensure your lab meets these guidelines.
Laboratory Access & Egress →
Minors are not allowed in laboratory areas ►
- Safety Details: Bringing children to labs, even for short visits, raises significant safety concerns. Children are inherently more vulnerable to lab hazards due to their smaller size, developing bodies, and limited understanding of risks. Young children may be curious and prone to touching, tasting, or manipulating hazardous items, increasing the risk of accidental exposure or injury.
- How can I comply? By not allowing minors in the lab. Under NO circumstances shall infants, toddlers, or children too young to understand safety training be permitted in UC laboratories. Certain minors may have granted access, but before being accepted, conditions need to be fulfilled.
- Resources: UC HR Policy: Protection of Minors on Campus
UC EH&S Advisory 21: Minors
Only animals and plants associated with research projects are allowed in the lab ►
- Safety Details: Live plants and animals that are not part of research projects pose a risk of contamination in experiments, the introduction of pests, and expose personnel to allergens.
- How can I comply? By registering plant and/or animal research projects with the IBC and/or IACUC. Keeping decorative plants behind cubicle walls, away from laboratory active work zones, is acceptable.
- Resources: BMBL Section IV (BSL2) A.17
Access to the lab is limited or restricted to authorized personnel ►
- Safety Details: Laboratories handle hazardous materials and have expensive equipment, as well as private/sensitive data. Restricting access prevents accidental exposure to bystanders and protects sensitive equipment and data.
- How can I comply? By posting a clear signage indicating when access is restricted and implementing physical security measures, such as locking doors.
- Resources: BMBL Section IV (BSL2) B.1
Signs & Labels →
A complete BSL2 sign is posted on laboratory doors ►
- Safety Details: Lab occupants and first responders must be aware if potentially hazardous biological materials are present and have information about contacts for an emergency or exposure incident.
- How can I comply? By posting clear, legible signage, including the biosafety level of the facility (e.g., BSL2), name of biological hazardous materials, required PPE, and emergency contacts. Personnel’s phone numbers should be provided instead of office/lab numbers to expedite emergency response during non-working hours. If a location is shared by different PIs, information needs to be combined on a single post. Unnecessary flyers should not be posted on lab doors since they might distract prompt visualization of safety-related warnings.
- Resources: BMBL Section IV (BSL2) A.5
Secondary containers with disinfectants are properly labeled (chemical compound and concentration) ►
- Safety Details: Lab users must be aware of the potential hazards of disinfectants so they can safely and effectively use them.
- How can I comply? By labeling disinfectant secondary containers with the chemical name found on the Safety Data Sheet and their hazard characteristics (e.g., corrosive, flammable). Inert and minimally hazardous materials, such as water or buffer solutions, should also be labeled to avoid misidentification or misuse.
- Resources: UC EH&S Advisory 6: Hazard Communication Standards
OSHA Hazard Communication Standard: 1910.1200 (f)(6)
Equipment for processing & storing biohazardous materials are properly labeled with a biohazard symbol ►
- Safety Details: Lab personnel must be aware of what lab equipment is used to store and/or process biohazardous materials, so necessary precautions are taken to prevent potential exposure with contaminated equipment.
- How can I comply? By including a biohazard label on all equipment used for processing and storing biohazardous materials.
- Resources: OSHA BBP Standard - Labels: 1910.1030 (g)(1)(i)
Biowaste containers (including vacuum flasks) are properly labeled with a biohazard symbol ►
Engineering Controls →
Lab doors are kept closed when work is being conducted ►
- Safety Details: Many laboratories, particularly those handling hazardous materials, are designed to have directional airflow from "clean" areas into potentially contaminated areas. Doors that are kept closed maintain proper airflow, containing aerosols and airborne particles generated within the laboratory.
- How can I comply? By ensuring that lab doors are kept closed and not propped open when work is being conducted.
- Resources: BMBL Section IV (BSL2) D.1
OSHA BBP Standard - 1910.1030 (e)(2)(ii)(A)
Eyewash stations are readily available and unobstructed ►
- Safety Details: Eyewash stations provide a readily accessible and effective means to flush out hazardous substances from the eyes. Following eye splash, users may have impaired vision, so a clear and direct path to the eyewash station is critical for the safety of personnel avoiding response delay.
- How can I comply? By maintaining emergency eyewashes in all labs containing hazardous materials. Employees must have access to and be trained to use an emergency eyewash that is:
- Located within 10 seconds walking time from the location of the hazard.
- Capable of delivering 0.4 gallons [1.5 liters] of tepid water per minute for 15 minutes.
- Periodically tested (test is performed by the EH&S office).
- The area surrounding the eyewash must remain unobstructed at all times.
- Resources: BMBL Section IV (BSL2) D.3
OSHA BBP Standard - 1910.1030 (e)(4)(iii)
ANSI Z358.1-2014: Emergency Eyewash & Shower Standard
Biosafety cabinets (BSC) have documented annual certification ►
- Safety Details: Annual certification of the BSC ensures that it is operating within the designed specifications to protect the user, product/sample, and the environment.
- How can I comply? By contacting a certified National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) vendor to schedule annual certification or whenever a BSC has been physically moved, reoriented, or altered. If a BSC is not properly functioning, a “non-functioning or non-certified BSC” warning sign must be posted indicating that the equipment is not suitable for work involving biohazardous (or potentially biohazardous) materials.
- Resources: BMBL Appendix A - Part 7
OSHA BBP Standard - 1910.1030 (e)(2)(iii)(B)
After completing work, materials are not stored inside the BSC ►
- Safety Details: Materials kept inside a BSC may create clutter and contribute to airflow disruption and containment loss of the cabinet. Also, a BSC with many items precludes proper disinfection of its work surface.
- How can I comply? By restricting the amount of equipment and materials inside the BSC to those that are necessary for an experiment. Once the experiment is completed, supplies should be disinfected and removed from the BSC.
- Resources: BMBL Appendix A - Part 5
OSHA Fact Sheet
Front and back BSC grilles are not obstructed ►
- Safety Details: Blocked front and rear grilles interfere with the BSC air flow, compromising its containment.
- How can I comply? By not placing objects nor resting arms over the BSC grille while working. Purpose-built risers can be used for certain tools/items to maximize airflow under equipment inside the cabinet.
- Resources: BMBL Appendix A - Part 5
OSHA Fact Sheet
Facilities →
Laboratory contains a sink for hand washing ►
- Safety Details: Proper hand washing is crucial for safety. It helps prevent the spread of infections, contamination of equipment, and nearby surfaces.
- How can I comply? By maintaining a sink with hand soap and paper towels available for hand washing. Laboratory personnel should wash their hands before and after removing laboratory gloves, and at the end of each work shift.
- Resources: BMBL Section IV (BSL2) D.2
Bench tops are impervious to water and resistant to chemicals and moderate heat ►
- Safety Details: Lab bench tops need to be impervious to water and resistant to chemicals to ensure the integrity of work surfaces, prevent contamination, and allow for effective decontamination.
- How can I comply? By using seamless or sealed surfaces that are waterproof, resistant to chemicals, and heat. If bench paper or absorbent pads are used on bench tops where infectious agents or viable materials containing recombinant nucleic acid molecules are manipulated, they must be discarded after work to allow proper surface disinfection of the benches.
- Resources: BMBL Section IV (BSL2) D.5a
Laboratory furniture is sturdy and made of materials that allow disinfection ►
- Safety Details: Porous materials, such as fabric, allow infectious liquids to be absorbed and become trapped within fibers in the event of a spill. Chairs that are covered with fabric cannot be disinfected if there is a potentially infectious spill. Sturdy furniture provides a stable platform for sensitive experiments protecting researchers from potential harm.
- How can I comply? By equipping the lab with furniture with smooth, non-porous surfaces that resist the absorption of liquids and the harsh effects of disinfectants (e.g., vinyl, polyurethane). If chairs covered with fabric cannot be replaced, non-porous covers may be used as an alternative.
- Resources: BMBL Section IV (BSL2) D.5b
Infectious Waste Management →
Infectious waste bags are placed in a durable, leak proof container during handling, storage & transport ►
- Safety Details: Durable and leak-proof containers ensure that any potentially infectious materials remain contained, protecting lab workers and others who may be exposed to the waste during handling, storage, or transport.
- How can I comply? By placing laboratory waste that might be contaminated with infectious (or potentially infectious) and recombinant nucleic acid materials into durable, leak-proof containers labeled with a universal biohazard symbol. If the container is not leak-proof (e.g., cardboard box) or if it is used as a reusable/temporary container (e.g., plastic beaker for pipette tips), it should be lined with plastic, so it does not leak or become contaminated.
- Resources: OSHA BBP Standard - 1910.1030 (e)(2)(ii)(B)
UC EH&S: Advisory 10.2: Management of Biological and Infectious Waste
OAC Rule 3745-570-120 (A)(1)
Vacuum flasks for the biosafety cabinet are properly contained when stored on the floor ►
- Safety Details: Flasks containing biohazardous materials can spill or break, leading to contamination of the lab floor. Secondary containment helps minimize the risk of exposure to personnel who might inadvertently come into contact with spilled material and/or broken flasks.
- How can I comply? By placing vacuum flasks into a non-breakable and leak-proof secondary container when not maintained inside a biosafety cabinet (BSC). The proper containment for a vacuum flask is a container that is waterproof and deep enough to hold the flask’s content in case of a spill (e.g., plastic tub). Also, the flask must be labeled with its contents and the universal biohazard symbol if potentially infectious. If bleach is added, this needs to be included in the label as well. Also note that the use of a vacuum within the laboratory has the potential to generate aerosols, contaminate vacuum lines, pumps, and the laboratory environment. Vacuum line traps and filters prevent the suction of potentially hazardous biological materials into vacuum lines. The use of traps also helps keep vacuum lines from clogging.
- Resources: BMBL Section IV (BSL2) D.8
UC Biosafety: Vacuum Line Protection - Vacuum Trap
Needles, razor blades and other metal sharps are disposed of in an approved sharps container ►
- Safety Details: When needles, razor blades, and other metal sharps are disposed of incorrectly, it can lead to accidental pokes and cuts, with a potential exposure to infectious materials.
- How can I comply? By disposing of needles, razor blades, and other metal sharps in an approved sharps container that is designed for safe disposal. When a sharps container is ¾ full, it must be sealed and disposed of inside the Environmental Health Safety (EH&S) red biohazard bin. Note that most sharps containers are marked to indicate their maximum capacity. If recapping is strictly necessary, use the one-hand scoop technique, recapping devices or tools (e.g., forceps, tweezers).
- Resources: BMBL Section IV (BSL2) A.12 (b)(iv)
OSHA BBP Standard - 1910.1030 (d)
OAC Rule 3745-570-120 (A)(4)
Non-metal sharps are disposed of in puncture resistant, leak-proof containers ►
- Safety Details: Non-metal sharps, such as serological pipettes and pipette tips, have pointed ends that can puncture soft bags, potentially allowing infectious material to leak out.
- How can I comply? By disposing of Pasteur pipettes, pipette tips, and plastic serological pipettes used for infectious or potentially infectious materials into a hard-walled container, rather than plastic bags. If the container is not leak-proof (e.g., cardboard box), it must be lined with a red plastic bag. When the container is ¾ full, it must be sealed and disposed of inside the EH&S red biohazard bin.
- Resources: OSHA BBP Standard - 1910.1030 (d)(2)(viii)
OAC Rule 3745-570-31 (A)(1)
Used disposable needles are not bent, sheared, broken, recapped or removed from disposable syringes ►
- Safety Details: Manipulation of metal sharps poses a risk of injuries such as needle sticks, cuts, and exposures to bloodborne pathogens and other infectious agents if they are not handled properly. Recapping needles may give a false impression of safety, but in fact, it significantly increases the risk of needlestick injuries and potential exposure.
- How can I comply? By immediately discarding metal sharps into an approved sharps container. Needles used in experiments must not be bent, broken, recapped, or removed from the syringes. In rare instances where recapping needles is strictly necessary, workers must adopt the “one-hand” technique, use a recapping device, or use tools such as forceps or tweezers.
- Resources: BMBL Section IV (BSL2) A.12 (b)(ii)
OSHA BBP Standard - 1910.1030 (d)(2)(vii)
OAC Rule 4731-17-05 (A)
All waste transported out of the laboratory is properly sealed and not transported in public corridors ►
Safety Practices & Compliance →
Proper PPE are worn while working with infectious or potentially infectious materials ►
- Safety Details: Working with microorganisms, human blood, or other potentially infectious materials poses the risk of infection. In addition to engineering controls, personal protective equipment (PPE) serves as a barrier, preventing exposure to harmful substances and minimizing the risk of injury or illness.
- How can I comply? By conducting a risk assessment of laboratory activities and selecting the proper PPE necessary for the task. Inadequate shoes (e.g., sandals) and clothing (e.g., shorts) that expose large areas of skin must not be worn in the lab. Before considering the use of PPE, consider the feasibility of using engineering and administrative controls.
- Resources: BMBL Section IV (BSL2) C.1
OSHA BBP Standard - 1910.1030 (d)(3)
Countertops and research areas are clean and well maintained ►
Eating, drinking and storing food for human consumption are not permitted in laboratory areas ►
- Safety Details: Consuming food and beverages in a laboratory pose a risk for accidental exposure through ingestion since they can become contaminated with hazardous chemicals, biological agents, or radioactive materials. Aerosolized and airborne contaminants can compromise food & drink safety. Labs can also be areas with a higher risk for contamination from fomites or direct contact with contaminated people or items.
- How can I comply? By designating an area (defined as a room with floor-to-ceiling walls and a closed door) separated from the laboratory space for eating, drinking, and storage of food/beverages for human consumption. If a separate area can only be accessed by going through the laboratory, then only covered food and/or beverage items may be carried through the laboratory.
- Resources: BMBL Section IV (BSL2) A.10
OSHA BBP Standard - 1910.1030 (d)(2)(ix)
Lab personnel are appropriately immunized against for the agents being used or potentially present ►
- Safety Details: Laboratory workers are at increased risk of exposure to various pathogens due to their work with biological samples and contaminated materials, making vaccination a vital safety measure. Preventing the spread of infections within the lab and from lab workers to others is a primary goal.
- How can I comply? By offering immunization to lab staff (e.g., HBV vaccine for individuals handling human samples). Some labs might need to offer specific vaccinations based on the types of pathogens used.
- Resources: BMBL Section IV (BSL2) B.3
OSHA BBP Standard - 1910.1030 (f)(1)(i)
Adequate spill kit is present and location well-signed ►
- Safety Details: Laboratories need a spill kit to ensure prompt, safe, and effective cleanup of accidental spills of hazardous biological materials. The absence of spill kits, or inadequate spill kits poses risks potentially leading to the spread of biohazardous materials especially if their location is not well-signed.
- How can I comply? By placing a spill kit in locations where infectious and potentially infectious materials are handled. The location where the spill kit is stored must be labeled and known by all lab personnel. To clean up a biological spill, the items you need to have in place are absorbent material, gloves, face shield (or goggles and mask), disinfectants, biohazard bag(s), and scoop/tong/ brush (for handling broken glass). All personnel must be trained on the proper cleanup procedure to reduce the reaction time during a spill.
- Resources: UC EH&S: Advisory 10.2: Management of Biological and Infectious Wastes
Personnel wash hands after handling infectious materials, after removing gloves and before leaving lab ►
- Safety Details: Proper hand washing is the simplest and most effective means of preventing the spread of disease and is an important step in practicing good laboratory hygiene.
- How can I comply? By washing hands before and after removing laboratory gloves, whenever leaving the lab, and at the end of each work shift.
- Resources: BMBL Section IV (BSL2) A.9
OSHA BBP Standard - 1910.1030 (d)(2)(v)
Equipment and work surfaces are appropriately decontaminated ►
- Safety Details: Decontamination removes harmful microorganisms and contaminants, protecting lab personnel, preventing cross-contamination, and ensuring reliable results.
- How can I comply? By regularly disinfecting work surfaces and equipment. Ensure that the disinfectant is appropriate for the organism used and allow sufficient contact time. Rinsing with water or ethanol after using bleach can help prevent corrosion of metal surfaces.
- Resources: BMBL Section IV (BSL2) A.13
OSHA BBP Standard - 1910.1030 (d)(4)(ii)
Personnel working with human-derived materials have updated annual OSHA BBP training ►
- Safety Details: Lab personnel working with human-derived materials are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens (BBP), so they must be well-informed of their potential risks and understand safe handling practices and procedures while working with these materials.
- How can I comply? By taking the OSHA BBP training at the time of initial work assignment and at least every twelve months thereafter if handling human-derived materials as required by the OSHA BBP Standards.
- Resources: OSHA BBP Standard - 1910.1030 (g)(2)
UC EH&S - BBP Training
An accurate inventory of agents is present in the lab ►
- Safety Details: Researchers must be aware of what is inside their lab’s freezers, refrigerators, liquid nitrogen cylinders, cold rooms, and other storage units. Maintaining an accessible inventory allows for more effective response measures by first responders in an emergency scenario.
- How can I comply? By maintaining an accurate inventory indicating the name of the biohazard item and the location of storage. A single inventory must be created per lab and kept in a binder that is accessible to all lab staff. This will facilitate better risk management by enabling proactive identification, assessment, and mitigation of potential hazards in the event of an emergency.
- Resources: BMBL Section VI
NIH Blue Ribbon Report: Smallpox Vials Incident (2014)