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ACDP CL1 Laboratories

Containment Level 1 is suitable for work with agents in Hazard Group 1. Although defined as unlikely to cause disease by infection, some agents in this group are nevertheless hazardous in other ways (i.e. are allergenic or may be toxigenic) and due precautions must be taken. Laboratory personnel must receive suitable and sufficient information, instruction and training in the procedures to be conducted in the laboratory.

1. The laboratory should be easy to clean. Bench surfaces should be impervious to water and resistant to acids, alkalis, solvents and disinfectants.
2. Effective disinfectants should be available for immediate use in the event of spillage.
3. If the laboratory is mechanically ventilated, it is preferable to maintain an inward airflow while work is in progress by extracting room air to atmosphere.
4. All procedures should be performed so as to minimise the production of aerosols.
5. The laboratory door should be closed when work is in progress.
6. Laboratory coats or gowns should be worn in the laboratory and removed when leaving the laboratory suite.
7. Personal protective equipment, including protective clothing, must be:
   (a) stored in a well-defined place;
   (b) checked and cleaned at suitable intervals;
   (c) when discovered to be defective, repaired or replaced before further use.
8. Personal protective equipment which may be contaminated by biological agents must be:
   (a) removed on leaving the working area;
   (b) kept apart from uncontaminated clothing;
   (c) decontaminated and cleaned or, if necessary, destroyed.
9. Eating, chewing, drinking, taking medication, smoking, storing food and applying cosmetics should be forbidden.
10. Mouth pipetting should be forbidden.
11. The laboratory should contain a basin or sink that can be used for hand washing.
12. Hands should be decontaminated immediately when contamination is suspected and before leaving the laboratory.
13. Bench tops should be cleaned after use.
14. Used glassware and other materials awaiting disinfection should be stored in a safe manner. Pipettes, for example, if placed in disinfectant, should be totally immersed.
15. Contaminated materials whether for recycling (wash-up) or disposal, should be stored and transported in robust and leak proof containers without spillage.
16. All waste material, if not to be incinerated, should be disposed of safely by other appropriate means.
17. Accidents and incidents should be immediately reported to and recorded by the person responsible for the work or other delegated person.

[Source: abstracted from Categorisation of biological agents according to hazard and categories of containment, ACDP. 4th ed, 1995. (Note- this document has been superseded by the management, design and operation of microbiological containment laboratories. ACDP. 2001.)]