HOW TO OPERATE BIOSAFETY CABINET

1. HOW TO OPERATE BIOSAFETY CABINET A biosafety cabinet is a primary containment device used with bacterial material. As with work on open bench tops work performed within a BSC be performed carefully and safely. When a BSC is serviced or relocated including replacement of HEPA filters it must be gas decontaminated which involves filling the BSC with a poisonous gas. When this BSC is serviced including replacement of HEPA filters it must be gas decontaminated which involves filling the BSC with a poisonous gas, most commonly formaldehyde gas. Biological safety cabinets or BCS are used to provide both the clean work environment and protection for employees who can create aerosols when working with biological hazards. The biosafety cabinet and the fume hood’s working procedures are totally different and that is why it is not possible to use a biosafety cabinet as a fume hood. Most of the foreign countries use these materials in their best way. They try their level best for using these materials in a proper way that is why these are not misusing at all. Now the question is that there have some procedures for operating this biosafety cabinet. In this page we will discuss about what are the operating procedures of this biosafety cabinet? First of all lift the sash to the recommended height. Turn on the BSC fan 10 minutes before beginning the work. After that check the air intake and exhaust grilles for obstructions and check the pressure gauge reading indicating HEPA filter load. Then if the cabinet is equipped with an alarm, test the alarm and switch it to the ON position. Later on confirm inward airflow by holding a piece of tissue at the middle of the edge of the viewing panel and ensuring it is drawn in. Waste containers and suction collection flasks should be placed to one side of the interior of the cabinet. Keep the work area of this BSC very free of unnecessary equipment Always wear the eye protection, closed toe shoes, a lab coat and gloves that is why you will be safe while working in the lab. Active work should flow from clean to contaminated areas across the work surface. Try to use the mechanical pipetting aids, make sure that mouth pipetting is not allowed. Another one thing is that does not work in a BSC while a warning light or alarm is signaling. Locate the liquid waste traps inside the cabinet and use an in line HEPA filter to protect the vacuum ovens line and if traps must be located on the floor place them in a secondary container such as in a box or in a durable plastic tray to prevent breakage.

2. Just to sterilize the bacteriological loops, micro burners are used.  Last but not the least that works as far to the back as possible but within the comfortable reach. These are the standard operating procedures for using or operating this biosafety cabinet.