CDC/NIH Vertebrate Animal Biosafety Level Criteria

1. CDC/NIH Vertebrate Animal Biosafety Level Criteria • For all Animal Biosafety Levels (1 - 4) • IACUC Approval • Authorized access to facilities • Animal handling training • Medical surveillance program • Written safety manual(s) • Pest control program

2. CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level Criteria • For all Animal Biosafety Levels (1 - 4) • no eating, drinking, smoking, touching face • no food or drink storage within facilities • minimize aerosols • decontaminate work surfaces, equipment • transport wastes in leak-proof covered containers • handle sharps safely

3. CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level Criteria • For all Animal Biosafety Levels (1 - 4) • Protective clothing recommended, not worn outside facility • Facilities separate from general building traffic • External doors self-closing/self-locking • Animal room doors open inward, self-closing • Water resistant, easily cleaned surfaces (horizontal surfaces kept to a minimum)

4. CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level Criteria • For all Animal Biosafety Levels (1 - 4) • Sealed, break resistant windows • Floor drain traps filled with water or disinfectant • No recirculation of exhaust air • Rooms have negative pressure gradient to adjacent hallway • Hand washing sink available in facility • 180 F cage wash rinse temperature • Adequate illumination

5. CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level Criteria • Animal Biosafety Level 2 (ABSL2) • Restrict access to few as possible (advise support staff of potential hazards) • Biohazard sign posted on animal room entrance (hazard ID, contact info., & entry requirements) • Immunizations, serum surveillance • Labeled leakproof carriers, exterior disinfected before transport (wastes, tissues, etc.) • Safe sharps policies (plasticware, safe sharps devices, limited use of needles/syringes)

6. CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level Criteria • Animal Biosafety Level 2 (ABSL2) • Limited to animals dedicated to work • Exposures, spills reported immediately • Gloves, gowns, uniforms or lab coats worn in rooms (removed prior to exit) • Face protection (goggles, safety glasses, full face shields, masks) selected on basis of risk • Biosafety cabinets used to confine aerosol procedures

7. CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level Criteria • Animal Biosafety Level 2 (ABSL2) • Filter top cages, cage dumping containment stations used where appropriate • Autoclave available • hand washing sink in animal room

8. CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level Criteria • Animal Biosafety Level 3 (ABSL3) • Individuals at increased risk of infection not allowed in facility • All wastes treated before disposal as regulated biomedical waste (incineration recommended) • Specialized training provided and updated • Cages autoclaved/decontaminated before bedding is removed • Spill procedures posted

9. CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level Criteria • Animal Biosafety Level 3 (ABSL3) • Uniforms or scrub suits covered by solid-front gown • Face/eye, and where necessary, respiratory protection worn by all who enter animal rooms • Boots, shoe covers, etc. worn when needed • Consider use of containment ventilated cage units, housing in biosafety cabinets, of filter bonnets.

10. CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level Criteria • Animal Biosafety Level 3 (ABSL3) • All procedures performed in biosafety cabinet (wear respiratory protection if working outside cabinet) • Consider clothes change room and shower • Penetrations in rooms are sealed or capable of being sealed • Hands-free sink near exit door • Sink-trap filled with disinfectant after each use

11. CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level Criteria • Animal Biosafety Level 3 (ABSL3) • Ducted exhaust ventilation system • Exhaust discharge away from air intakes, • Consider HEPA filtration of exhaust air • Room airflow monitoring device (personnel verify airflow direction upon entry) • Consider alarms for ventilation system failure • Consider interlock of exhaust/supply systems to avoid pressurization

12. CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level Criteria • Animal Biosafety Level 3 (ABSL3) • Biosafety cabinets tested/certified annually • Autoclave located near BL3 suite • Vacuum system protected with HEPA filter if used • Initial and annual verification of BL3 facility design parameters • Consider additional facility enhancements as needed (effluent decontamination, showers, etc)

13. CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level Criteria • Animal Biosafety Level 4 (ABSL4) • Program includes post-exposure counseling and prophylaxis • Site-specific biosafety manual prepared • Double-door pass through autoclave • Procedures performed in pairs • Materials unrelated to work not allowed in facility • Additional access control measures (security guard)

14. CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level Criteria • Animal Biosafety Level 4 (ABSL4) • Complete clothes change, personal shower upon exit • All material in/out of facility through pass through autoclave or disinfectant chamber • Autoclave door interlocked to prevent both open simultaneously • Chart exposures, accidents/incidents, employee absenteeism, appearance of related signs/symptoms of infection

15. CDC/NIH Verterbrate Animal Biosafety Level Criteria • Animal Biosafety Level 4 (ABSL4) • Serum samples analyzed at defined intervals • Positive pressure suits or Class III biosafety cabinet line • Very unique engineering requirements for BL4 laboratories (dedicated building within building concept)