Biological Safety Manual - University of Florida

separation of the laboratory work area from public access, cleanable surfaces, availability of adecontamination method (e.g., autoclave), and hand washing facilities. When the risk of infection byexposure to an infectious aerosol is present, higher levels of primary containment and multiple secondarybarriers may become necessary to prevent infectious agents from escaping into the environment. Suchdesign features include specialized ventilation systems to ensure directional air flow, air treatmentsystems to decontaminate or remove agents from exhaust air, controlled access zones, airlocks aslaboratory entrances, or separate buildings or modules to isolate the laboratory.Personal Protective EquipmentUnder OSHA’s primary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) standards, PPE refers to “garments anddevices designed to protect employees from serious workplace injuries or illnesses resulting from contactwith various workplace hazards”. Examples of PPE include coveralls, lab coats, gloves, face shields,safety glasses, goggles, safety shoes, and respirators. OSHA mandates that employers: Determine the workplace hazards that require PPE. Provide workers with appropriate PPE. Ensure proper use and maintenance of PPE. Train employees to use PPE correctly, to know when and where PPE is necessary, understandits limitations, and to don and doff PPE correctly.Coveralls/Lab Coats Protective laboratory coat, gowns, or uniforms are recommended under BSL-1 guidelines and arerequired when working with hazardous material under BSL-2. Disposable gear should be usedinside a BSL-3 facility and discarded before leaving the laboratory. PPE clothing should be removed before leaving the laboratory. Do not take laboratory clothing home. Employer should ascertain that in-house laundry service isin place (if not, contact S & S Cleaners, 503 SW 3 rd Street; 372-4184). If contaminated,laboratory coats should be decontaminated with bleach before dispatching the coats to thelaundromat. Disposable lab coats are preferred. These are reusable and available from Fisher Scientific(state contract).GlovesGloves should be worn to protect hands from hazardous materials. Disposable latex and nitrilegloves are commonly used. Some people develop latex allergy (see Latex Allergy APrevention Guide) that can vary from mild to severe in intensity. Non-latex gloves should beavailable in such cases.Gloves come in various sizes. Wear gloves that fit properly.Integrity of gloves is very important. Before using, make sure there are no holes/tears in thegloves. Gloves should be changed immediately if torn or contaminated when work is in progress.Handling some material may require wearing two pairs of gloves.Gloves used to handle infectious or potentially infectious material should be discarded in abiohazard container lined with a red, autoclavable biohazard bag and not in regular trash. Inseveral UF buildings, e.g. in Health Science center, gloves are not permitted in regular trash(perceived as medical/biomedical waste). If you have questions regarding proper disposal,contact the Biosafety Office (392-1591).Gloves contaminated with hazardous chemicals must bediscarded as dry chemical waste.Wash hands with soap and water as soon as possible after removing gloves. If a handwashingsink is not immediately accessible, hand sanitizer should be kept handy for immediate use, whichshould be followed by hand washing as soon as possible.Do not re-use or wash disposable gloves.Gloves should not be worn outside the laboratory in public areas (e.g. in elevators or cafeteria), orwhen opening door handles.Eye and Face Protection36