Biosafety Barriers

in Labs.
Personal protective equipments
(PPE)

Prof. Dr. Baydaa Hameed Abdullah

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Hazard, Threat, and Risk
A hazard is an object that can cause harm

A threat is a person who has intent and/or ability to cause

harm to other people, animals, or the institution

A risk can be based on either a hazard and/or a threat

 What is Risk?
The likelihood of an undesirable event happening, that involves a specific hazard or threat and has
consequences
Risk:- A combination of the probability of occurrence of harm (injury,
illness, death, damage etc) and the severity of that harm.
risk = probability × disutility
Hazard:- A source, situation, or act with a potential for causing harm. At workplace categorized:
Physical, Chemical and Biological

1- Chemical:- a- Smoke.
b- Toxic material.

2-Physical:-
a-Moving road tankers.
b- Noise.

3-Biological:
Biohazard: The potential source of harm caused by
biological agents or toxins.
BIOSAFETY is protecting people from
dangerous pathogens

BIOSECURITY is protecting pathogens from

bad people
 Biosafety:-The set of containment principles, technologies and practices that
are implemented to prevent exposure to biological agents . and toxins, or their
accidental release.

 Biosecurity:-The set of measures taken to limit the threat posed by

sudden widespread disease or biological contamination, as from biological
warfare, or pandemic outbreaks
BIORISK
Risk associated with biological materials

BIOSAFETY + BIOSECURITY = BIORISK

 Laboratory Biosafety
Containment principles,
technologies, and practices
implemented to prevent
unintentional exposure to
pathogens and toxins, or
their unintentional release.
Laboratory Biosecurity
Protection, control and accountability for
valuable biological materials within laboratories,
in order to prevent their unauthorized access,
loss, theft, misuse, diversion or intentional
release.
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Causes of Laboratory Exposures
▪ Causative or defined event
□ 20%  equipment failure
□ 80%  human factors

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Causes of Laboratory Exposures
▪ Top “4” accidents resulting in infection

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Routes of Laboratory
Exposures
▪ INGESTION
□ Consumption of a substance by an organism
▪ INOCULATION
□ Act of introduction of a substance into the body

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Routes of Laboratory
Exposures
▪ CONTAMINATION
□ Presence of a minor and unwanted substance or
impurity in the skin or mucous membrane
▪ INHALATION
□ Act of drawing air or other substances into the
lungs

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Containment
▪ The principle of holding or be capable of holding
or including within a fixed limit or area
▪ Biocontainment: preventing the release of
biological agents

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 Primary and
Secondary Barriers PRIMARY BARRIERS
(control hazard at source)
BSC
BSC HEPA filter(high efficiency particulate air)

SECONDARY BARRIERS
(structure surrounding primary barrier)
Sealed perimeter ,Exhaust HEPA filters 18
Primary barriers
▪ Physical barriers or personal protective equipments (PPE) for lab
worker Gloves, masks, Goggles, aprons, suits, special breathing
apparatuses

▪ Primary containment equipment

□ BSC
□ Sealed centrifuge

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Secondary Barriers
▪ Secondary barriers: structural aspects of the laboratory that
make working environment safer against infection such as Sinks
for hand washing, Special containment areas, Special air
ventilation patterns and Sterilization equipments.
▪ HEPA filters
▪ Liquid effluent treatment
▪ Sealed laboratory walls and floors

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Principles of Biosafety
▪ Practice and procedures
□ Standard practices
□ Special practices and considerations
▪ Safety equipment
▪ Facility design and construction
▪ Increasing levels of protection

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Standard
Microbiological
practices
▪ Most important concept / strict adherence
▪ Aware of potential hazard
▪ Trained and proficient in techniques

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Safety Equipment
▪ Primary containment barrier
▪ Minimize exposure to hazard
□ Engineering controls / equipment
□ PPE
□ Biological safety cabinets
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Safety equipment
▪ Includes biological safety equipment, enclosed containers, safety centrifuge cups,
and other engineered controls designed to minimize exposure to biological agents.
▪ Biological safety cabinets are among the most important safety equipment for
protection of personnel and the laboratory environment, and most also provide
product protection.
▪ Safety equipment is most effective at minimizing exposure when workers are
trained on the proper use of such equipment and the equipment is regularly
inspected and maintained.

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PPE
“Specialized clothing/equipment worn by an
employee for protection against infectious
materials” (OSHA)

 Provides protection from (bio)hazards

 It is removable and/or disposable
(prevents contamination of community
and environment)
 Must be worn when handling hazards
(including infectious materials)
 Must be removed before leaving the work
place
PPE
SELECTION
Is made based on risk assessment
Factors that influence PPE selection:
 Routes of transmission
 Types of anticipated exposure(s)
 Available engineering controls
 Durability/appropriateness for task(s)
 Limitations
 Fit
 Donning/Doffing
PPE
SELECTION
Is made based on risk assessment
Factors that influence PPE selection:
 Routes of transmission
o direct contact
o droplets
o aerosols
 Types of anticipated exposure(s)
 Available engineering controls
 Durability/appropriateness for task(s)
 Limitations
 Fit
 Donning/Doffing
PPE
SELECTION
Is made based on risk assessment
Factors that influence PPE selection:
 Routes of transmission
 Types of anticipated exposure(s)
o skin?
o mucous membranes
o respiratory tract
o gastrointestinal tract
 Available engineering controls
 Durability/appropriateness for task(s)
 Limitations
 Fit
 Donning/Doffing
PPE SELECTION
Is made based on risk assessment

Factors that influence PPE selection:

 Routes of transmission
 Types of anticipated exposure(s)
 Available engineering controls
 Durability/appropriateness for task(s)
o must be appropriate for intended use
 Limitations
o many different types and materials
 Fit
o should be as comfortable as possible
 Donning/Doffing
TYPES OF PPE  Prevents spread of contamination to street clothes/exposed skin
 Body protection dependent on containment level, hazards
Body protection (biological, chemical, etc.), and procedures:
o Flame resistant/retardant
o Fluid resistant/repellant
o Disposable
o Solid front
o Cuffed sleeves
o Positive-pressure suits
TYPES OF PPE
Body protection

Head Protection:
o Protect hair and scalp from contamination
o Hair covers
Foot Protection:
o Protect entire foot
o Disposable shoe covers (additional layer of protection)
o Rubber boots
o Dedicated lab shoes
o Non-slip footwear
Additional Body Protection (based on risk assessment):
o Disposable sleeve covers
o Scrubs
PPE
▪ Lab Coats and gowns
□ used to protect from infectious fluids
□ Don’t wear lab coats outside of the lab
or take them home
□ Cuffed sleeves can protect the wrists and
lower arms

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BODY PROTECTION
Gown/lab coat1,2

Use3 Disposal Re-Use

Barrier between a user’s If single-use PPE is utilized, Single-use PPE should NOT be
body and the agent, dispose after use in appropriate cleaned and reused, but gowns
minimizing exposures to container for medical or do not need to be changed
splashes, spills, and fomites biohazard waste between same- diagnosis
patients unless contaminated

Gowns recommended for

healthcare workers (aprons Reusable PPE should be
acceptable if gowns collected by the facility,
unavailable) decontaminated, then
laundered on site or via a
Lab coats recommended specialty company (NOT at
for diagnosticians the user’s home)4

Adapted from Sandia National Laboratories

 TYPES OF PPE
Face protection

 Worn when potential risk for

splashing/splattering
 Prevents splashing of infectious
materials into eyes, nose, and/or mouth
 Protects mucous membranes from
exposure
 Examples:
o Face shield
o Surgical mask
o Indirectly vented safety goggles
o Safety glasses
*
*
PPE
▪ Eye and Face Protection
□ protect mucous membranes and prevent
ingestion whenever there is potential for splash
to eyes/face

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FACE PROTECTION –
Face shield/goggles

Use Disposal Re-Use

Barrier between a user’s At the end of the product’s life Face shields and goggles are
face and the agent when (broken, torn, no longer designed to be cleaned and
there is a splash risk to the functional, etc.), facial PPE is reused
eyes2 disposed of as solid medical or
biohazard waste Clean using appropriate
Full face-shields chemical disinfectants3
recommended for
healthcare workers Some facial PPE can be sterilized
by steam autoclave
Goggles recommended for
diagnosticians, researchers
TYPES OF PPE
Hand protection

 Reduces potential of hand contamination

 Reduces risks associated with ingestion and skin contact
 Gloves are made of different materials
o Latex, nitrile, vinyl, polyethylene, etc.

 Should be selected for specific activity and hazard

 Suitability of glove needs to be verified prior to handling
infectious materials
HAND PROTECTION –
Gloves

Use Disposal Re-Use

Barrier between a After use, gloves should be Designed to be disposed

user’s hands and the disposed in the appropriate after use
agent, minimizing container for solid medical or
surface contamination biohazard waste It is NOT recommended that
they be washed and reused
Ideally, one-time use, Solid waste should be
powder-free autoclaved according to local
(and/or other) regulations
Nitrile recommended2
Alternatively, solid waste may be
Vinyl and latex can be used incinerated
as alternatives

Adapted from Sandia National Laboratories

PPE
▪ Gloves
□ Wear disposable vinyl, synthetic or N-DEX nitrile
gloves when working with biohazardous
materials

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PPE
▪ Gloves
□ Avoid latex gloves (may cause allergies)
□ Do not reuse gloves
□ Do not wear gloves outside of the laboratory
□ Wash hands after removing gloves

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PPE
▪ Respiratory Protection
□ Two types: air supplying and air purifying
□ Full face, half face, PAPR (Powered Air Purifying
Respirator)
□ Special considerations: fit testing; facial hair;
comfort; care and maintenance

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TYPES OF
PPE protection
Respiratory

Removal of contaminants from the air by filtration of:

 particulates
 chemicals
 gases
Respirators divided into two classes:
 air-purifying – negative pressure vs. positive pressure
 atmosphere-supplying
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
Air-purifying respirators

 Draw contaminated air through a filter or

chemical cartridge
 Non-powered and powered respirators
 Negative pressure vs. positive pressure
 3 different filter efficiency levels
o 95%
o 99%
o 100% (99.97%)
 N vs. R vs. P
 N for Not resistant to oil
 R for Resistant to oil
 P for oil Proof
PPE
▪ Respiratory Protection
□ N95 respirators

□ N100 respirators

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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
Air-purifying respirators

 Respirators must fit well with proper seal to provide

adequate protection
 Fit tightly against the face and form a seal between edge of
respirator and face of wearer
 Fit testing must be done:
o Prior to use
o Whenever different make, model, or size of
respirator is used
o Changes in facial structure
o Annually
 Fit testing can be quantitative or qualitative
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION  Powered Air-Purifying
Respirators (PAPRs):
Air-purifying respirators o Comfortable for continuous wear
o No fit testing required
o Under positive pressure
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
Air-purifying respirators

 Atmosphere-supplying respirators use

clean, breathable air from gas cylinder or
air compressor
 Operate under positive pressure

 Examples:
o Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
(SCBA)
o Air-line (supplied air respirators)
o Supplied air suit (positive pressure suit)
  PPE should be carefully inspected for damages/breaches prior to donning PPE
 Change gloves as needed
PPE  Gloves become means of spreading infectious materials when contaminated
 Doffing PPE must be performed carefully to minimize contamination
Proper use/removal  Doffing PPE needs to be immediately followed by handwashing
 Proper disposal of PPE as biohazard waste
 Proper decontamination and laundering of reusable PPE
BIOSAFETY CABINETS (BSC)
▪ BSCs provide effective primary containment for
work with infectious material or toxins when they
are properly maintained and used in conjunction
with good laboratory techniques

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BIOSAFETY
CABINETS (BSC)
▪ Fume Hood
▪ Laminar Flow Cabinet (LFC)
▪ Biohazard Safety Cabinet (BSC)

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 Facility Design
▪ The design of a facility is important in providing a barrier to protect people working
inside and outside the laboratory, as well as to protect people in the community
from infectious agents that may be accidentally released from the laboratory.
▪ The recommended secondary barrier(s) will depend on the risk of transmission of
specific agents. For example, the exposure risks for most laboratory work in BSL-1
and BSL-2 facilities will be direct contact with the agents through contaminated
work environments.Secondary barriers in these laboratories may include
separation of the laboratory work area from public access; availability of
decontamination equipment (e.g., autoclave*); and handwashing facilities.
▪ In BSL-3 facilities, additional safeguards, such as directional airflow airlock-
controlled entry and exiting, a shower used for personnel to shower out may be
required.

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 Facility Design
▪ As the risk for aerosol transmission increases, higher levels of primary
containment and multiple secondary barriers may become necessary to
prevent infectious agents from escaping into the environment.
Such design features could include
*specialized ventilation systems to ensure directional airflow
*air treatment systems to decontaminate or remove agents from exhaust air
*controlled access zones
*an airlock at the laboratory entrance
* separate buildings or modules for physical isolation of the laboratory
building itself.

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Thank you
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