Level 1 is suitable for work involving well-characterized agents
not known to consistently cause disease in healthy adult humans, and of
minimal potential hazard to laboratory personnel and the environment.
The laboratory is not necessarily separated from the general traffic
patterns in the building. Work is generally conducted on open
bench tops using standard microbiological practices. Special
containment equipment or facility design is neither required nor
generally used. Laboratory personnel have specific training in
the procedures conducted in the laboratory and are supervised by a
scientist with general training in microbiology or a related science.
The following standard and special practices, safety equipment and
facilities apply to agents assigned to Biosafety Level 1:
A. Standard Microbiological Practices
- Access to the laboratory is limited or
restricted at the discretion of the laboratory director when
experiments or work with cultures and specimens are in progress.
- Persons wash their hands after they handle
viable materials, after removing gloves, and before leaving the
- Eating, drinking, smoking, handling contact
lenses, applying cosmetics, and storing food for human use are not
permitted in the work areas. Persons who wear contact lenses in
laboratories should also wear goggles or a face shield. Food is
stored outside the work area in cabinets or refrigerators designated
and used for this purpose only.
- Mouth pipetting is prohibited; mechanical
pipetting devices are used.
- Policies for the safe handling of sharps are
- All procedures are performed carefully to
minimize the creation of splashes or aerosols.
- Work surfaces are decontaminated at least once
a day and after any spill of viable material.
- All cultures, stocks, and other regulated
wastes are decontaminated before disposal by an approved
decontamination method such as autoclaving.
Materials to be decontaminated outside of the immediate laboratory are
to be placed in a durable, leak proof container and closed for
transport from the laboratory. Materials to be decontaminated
outside of the immediate laboratory are packaged in accordance with
applicable local, state, and federal regulations before removal from
- A biohazard sign must be posted at the
entrance to the laboratory whenever infectious agents are present.
The sign must include the name of the agent(s) in use and the
name and phone number of the investigator.
- An insect and rodent control program is in
effect (see Appendix G).
B. Special Practices None
C. Safety Equipment (Primary Barriers)
D. Laboratory Facilities
- Special containment devices or
equipment such as a biological safety cabinet are generally not
required for manipulations of a gents assigned to Biosafety Level 1.
- It is recommended that
laboratory coats, gowns, or uniforms be worn to prevent contamination
or soiling of street clothes.
- Gloves should be worn if the
skin on the hands is broken or if a rash is present. Alternatives to
powdered latex gloves should be available.
- Protective eye wear should be
worn for conduct of procedures in which splashes of microorganisms or
other hazardous materials is anticipated.
- Laboratories should have doors
for access control.
- Each laboratory contains a sink
for hand washing.
- The laboratory is designed so
that it can be easily cleaned. Carpets and rugs in laboratories
are not appropriate.
- Bench tops are impervious to
water and are resistant to moderate heat and the organic solvents,
acids, alkalies, and chemicals used to decontaminate the work surface
- Laboratory furniture is capable
of supporting anticipated loading and uses. Spaces between benches,
cabinets, and equipment are accessible for cleaning.
- If the laboratory has windows
that open to the exterior, they are fitted with fly screens.
Reproduced from "Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical
Laboratories, BMBL 4th Edition" with permission from the Center for
Disease Control (CDC).