This instructional video discusses how
to safely use a biosafety cabinet.
Topics covered are:
When to use a biosafety cabinet.
How to verify proper function.
How to safely work in a cabinet.
What to do when your work is done.
Arizona State University uses biosafety cabinets
in research and teaching laborotories
when working with biological materials.
These cabinbets protect:
You and other lab workers,
agents or material you are working with,
the environment.
Always wear safety glasses, protective gloves,
and a laboratory coat before working in a biosafety cabinet.
At ASU, a biosafety cabinet is required
when working with infectious materials
or when there is a potential for aerosolization of a biohazard.
Follow these steps to verify proper cabinet function:
Turn on the lights and the blower.
Allow the unit to run for 10 minutes.
During blower warmup, ensure the sash is set to the recommended height.
Some cabinets have a height indicator and alarm if it is wrong.
Check the certification sticker on the cabinet to ensure
it has been certified within the last 12 months.
On the sticker note the pressure reference value and verify that the magnehelic gauge
reading is within 10 percent.
Clean and disinfect all interior surfaces of the cabinet,
including the inside of the sash.
When using a biosafety cabinet,
place all materials inside the cabinet before starting work.
Maintain the protective barrier.
Work safely within the designated work area.
Disinfect items before removing them from the cabinet
Keep the minimum ammount of materials in the cabinet.
Do not block vents.
Verify all the materials you need are in the cabinet.
The biosafety cabinet protects you by drawing the air from the lab to
the front grill below the sash.
Air is filtered and recirculated from the top of the cabinet and passed down
inbetween the front and rear grills.
The air curtain created by the cabinet is what protects you.
You should always feel the air pulling into the cabinet.
Always use slow and deliberate hand movements to prevent flow disruption.
Never block front and back grills.
The safe working area in the cabinet is at least six inches from the front grill,
and four inches from the back.
When working in the cabinet, maintain a separate space for clean
and contanimated materials to avoid cross-contamination.
Avoid crossing over the center of the work area as much as possible.
When you work is complete, close all containers.
Disinfect containers and equipment before removing them from the cabinet.
Discard all the waste properly.
Clean and disinfect all interrior surfaces of the cabinet.
Including the inside of the sash,
Do not clean the HEPA filter.
Turn off the blower and light.
To properly use a biosafety cabinet:
Verify the proper function of the cabinet
Maintain the invisble air curtain
Make sure you clean your work area and turn off the blower.
For more resources, visit the EHS Biosafety and Biosecurity website to review
biosafety cabinet procedures and decontamination guidelines.
If you have any questions about biosafety cabinets,
email the biosafety officer at: biosafety@asu.edu or call 480-965-1823.