Laboratory Safety
Laboratory Safety - Related Videos
06:01
Prion Safety Laboratory Swipe Test
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2025
A method to assess commonly used areas in laboratory settings for prion contamination and effective decontamination is lacking. The protocol described here provides key fundamentals for implementing a laboratory prion safety swipe test that can easily be modified to meet the individual needs of specific laboratories.
09:54
Safety Precautions and Operating Procedures in an (A)BSL-4 Laboratory: 1. Biosafety Level 4 Suit Laboratory Suite Entry and Exit Procedures
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Cited by 21 •
2016
Although researchers are generally knowledgeable about procedures and safety precautions required for biosafety level 1 or 2 (BSL-1/2) experiments, they may not be familiar with experimental procedures in BSL-4 suit laboratories. This article provides a detailed visual demonstration of BSL-4 suit laboratory systems check, laboratory entry, movement, and exit procedures.
11:13
Safety Precautions and Operating Procedures in an (A)BSL-4 Laboratory: 3. Aerobiology
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Cited by 9 •
2016
As high-consequence pathogens can potentially infect subjects through airborne particles, aerobiology has been increasingly applied in pathogenesis research and medical countermeasure development. We present a detailed visual demonstration of aerobiology procedures during an aerosol challenge in nonhuman primates in an animal biosafety level 4 maximum containment environment.
08:53
Safety Precautions and Operating Procedures in an (A)BSL-4 Laboratory: 2. General Practices
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Cited by 7 •
2016
Performing viral assays in a BSL-4 laboratory is more involved compared to work in a BSL-2 laboratory due to required additional safety precautions. Here, we present an overview of practices and procedures used inside a BSL-4 laboratory illustrating proper Class II biosafety cabinet usage, waste management/disposal, and sample removal.
09:36
Safety Precautions and Operating Procedures in an (A)BSL-4 Laboratory: 4. Medical Imaging Procedures
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Cited by 8 •
2016
Here, we present an overview of the preparation and animal handling procedures required to safely perform medical imaging in an animal biosafety level 4 laboratory. Computed tomography of a mock-infected guinea pig illustrates these procedures that may be used to evaluate the disease caused by a high consequence pathogen.
FAQs
Work begins by identifying hazards associated with the planned activity and assessing the risks they create. That assessment guides the selection of controls, including engineering safeguards that reduce danger through the laboratory setup and personal protective equipment that protects the worker. Applying controls before experimentation helps prevent injury, exposure, contamination, and equipment or material damage.
Risk assessment matters because biological samples, chemicals, sharps, equipment, and other laboratory materials can create different exposure or injury concerns. Matching controls to the specific hazard supports safer handling, appropriate labeling, and more deliberate preparation. This targeted approach is more useful than relying on one general precaution, particularly when biological work combines several hazard types in the same setting.
Aseptic technique reduces the chance that biological work becomes contaminated, while proper waste segregation limits the spread of contaminated materials and reduces exposure. Together, these practices protect both the integrity of an experiment and the people working around it. Their value is especially clear in biology laboratories, where samples and microorganisms may be handled alongside routine laboratory materials.
Before starting, review the planned activity, identify its hazards, assess the associated risks, and select the needed controls. Preparation should also account for safe handling and labeling, available engineering safeguards, personal protective equipment, waste segregation, and emergency preparedness. Completing these steps in advance makes safety part of the experimental workflow rather than a response after an incident.
Biological samples, microorganisms, chemicals, sharps, and equipment should be handled according to the hazards identified for the activity. Clear labeling supports safe management, while appropriate protective measures reduce exposure and injury risks. Separating waste according to its type helps limit contamination and exposure after materials are used, extending safety controls beyond the experiment itself.
Safety training helps researchers apply procedures consistently, recognize relevant precautions, and work responsibly across teaching, research, clinical, and biotechnology settings. Emergency preparedness adds a planned response when an incident or exposure occurs. Together, they support protection of researchers and the environment while also promoting reliable results, because safety practices remain integrated into routine scientific work.