Curious about how to achieve ABSL3 in your facility? Follow these five essential steps:
Staffing
- Ensure an adequate number of staff members.
- Operators should be experienced and motivated.
Training
- Schedule regular training to maintain a high level of competence.
- Include both operators and researchers in training sessions.
- Keep the training log book updated at all times.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Develop and regularly update SOPs to address any potential issues.
- SOPs should cover all tasks and procedures based on risk assessments.
Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Identify your primary containment and necessary ancillary equipment to ensure maximum safety (e.g., ISOcages, BSC, Autoclave).
- Higher levels of primary containment simplify PPE selection.
Biosecurity Requirements
- Security requirements depend on the biological agents used.
- Establish personnel clearance procedures.
- Ensure room and cage security (e.g., hermetically sealed cages).
