Biosafety Guidelines For Research On Genetically Modified ...

APPENDIX 15: REQUIREMENTS FOR GENETIC MODIFICATION ANIMAL
BIOSAFETY LEVEL 3 (GA-BSL3)
GA-BSL 3 and 4 facilities must be approved by the relevant regulatory agency before
commencement of work. Personnel must be experienced in the handling of the animals
to be used and a high standard of work supervision must be maintained. The person
responsible for the animal experiment must ensure that all those having contact with the
animals and waste materials are familiar with the code of practice and are aware of any
other precautions and procedures that may be required. The requirements for GM-BSL3
laboratories also apply to animal facilities at GA-BSL3 level. In addition, the
requirements for GA-BSL2 animal containment facilities shall be complied with in
addition to the requirements below.
Adherence to the biosafety guidelines does not exempt researchers from practising
responsible laboratory animal care and maintain basic welfare standards (useful
references: Guidelines for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes,
NACLAR 2004; Guide to the Care and Use of Experimental Animals, Canadian Council
on Animal Care). Researchers should also be aware that they are subject to Singapore
laws that legislate against cruelty to animals. This is contained in Part IV of the Animals
and Birds Act (Cap. 7).
These requirements are to be used in addition to the applicable requirements for Animal
Biosafety Level 3 in the OSH Guidelines for Laboratories and Production Facilities in the
Biomedical Sciences Industry and requirements for Genetic Modification Biosafety Level
3 in Appendix 8.
Construction
1. Entrance into GA-BSL3 animal facilities is limited to people aware of the potential
hazards. The entrance door should be fitted key but freely accessible from inside.
The door must be posted with signs identifying the facility and listing the applicable
procedures. The name and telephone number of the animal-facility supervisor or
another responsible person should be attached.
2. The GA-BSL3 facility must not be accessible to the general public or open onto a
public thoroughfare.
3. The facility shall be constructed so that the finishes on walls, floors, ceilings and
benches are smooth, impervious and easily cleanable on all surfaces and are able
to withstand all relevant decontaminations.
4. All waste from the animal facility shall be decontaminated by autoclaving prior to
disposal. When animals are in the room, floor drains should be sealed with an
airtight plug.
5. The animal room should be sealable to permit fumigation. It should be possible to
decontaminate the GA-BSL3 area independently with formaldehyde gas and for
the gas to be discharged safely to the atmosphere upon completion.
6. The facility must have access to an autoclave either within the GA-BSL3 area or in
the animal building.
7. The facility must have a hand basin and foot and elbow operated taps located near
the exit.
Appendix - Page 32