1988 Agent Summary Statement for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Report on Laboratory-Acquired Infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus [MMWR, Vol 37 No.S-4]

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MMWR

April 1, 1988

ADDENDUM 1
LABORATORY BIOSAFETY LEVEL CRITERIA
Biosafety Level 2
Biosafety Level 2 is similar to Level 1 and is suitable for work involving agents that
represent a moderate hazard for personnel and the environment. It differs in that
a) laboratory personnel have specific training in handling pathogenic agents and are
directed by competent scientists, b) access to the laboratory is limited when work is
being conducted, and c) certain procedures in which infectious aerosols are created
are conducted in biological safety cabinets or other physical containment equipment.
The following standard and special practices, safety equipment, and facilities apply
to agents assigned to Biosafety Level 2:
A. Standard microbiological practices
1. Access to the laboratory is limited or restricted by the laboratory director
when work with infectious agents is in progress.
2. Work surfaces are decontaminated at least once a day and after any spill of
viable material.
3. All Infectious liquid or solid waste is decontaminated before being disposed
of.
4. Mechanical pipetting devices are used; mouth pipetting is prohibited.
5. Eating, drinking, smoking, and applying cosmetics are not permitted in the
work area. Food must be stored in cabinets or refrigerators designed and
used for this purpose only. Food storage cabinets or refrigerators should be
located outside the work area.
6. Persons are to wash their hands when they leave the laboratory after
handling infectious material or animals.
7. All procedures are performed carefully to minimize the creation of aerosols.
B. Special practices
1. Contaminated materials that are to be decontaminated away from the
laboratory are placed in a durable, leakproof container that is closed before
being removed from the laboratory.
2. The laboratory director limits access to the laboratory. In general, persons
who are at increased risk of acquiring infection or for whom infection may
be unusually hazardous are not allowed in the laboratory or animal rooms.
The director has the final responsibility for assessing each circumstance
and determining who may enter or work in the laboratory.
3. The laboratory director establishes policies or procedures whereby only
persons who have been advised of the potential hazard and who meet any
specific entry requirements (e.g., vaccination) enter the laboratory or
animal rooms.
4. When an infectious agent being worked with in the laboratory requires
special provisions for entry (e.g., vaccination), a hazard warning sign that
incorporates the universal biohazard symbol is posted on the access door
to the laboratory work area. The hazard warning sign identifies the infec