Biological Safety Equipment
Safety devices and equipment are beneficial and effective in protecting workers from exposure and the environment from accidental releases when they are properly used and maintained. This page offers guidance on how to properly use and maintain commonly used biological safety equipment.
Working Safely in a Biological Safety Cabinet
Safe Use of Centrifuge
In-line HEPA Filters
An in-line high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter is needed to prevent contamination of the vacuum system or filter the centrifuge exhaust. It is typically placed between the aspiration (collection) flask and the vacuum line and the centrifuge inner chamber and the vacuum pump. The suction flask (A) is used to collect the contaminated fluids into a suitable decontamination solution; the right flask (B) serves as a fluid overflow collection vessel. An in-line HEPA filter (C) is used to protect the vacuum system (D) from aerosolized microorganisms.
Safer Sharps Devices
Sharps are devices, such as needles, scalpels, and lancets that may be used to cut or pierce skin, blood vessels or tissue. Safer sharps devices are typically designed with safety features that can be activated using one hand to prevent accidental injury to the other hand from exposed blades and needles. Safer sharps devices are beneficial when they are effective and acceptable by the users.
The International Sharps Injury Prevention Society compiled a list of safety products to help clinicians reduce sharps injuries and bloodborne pathogen exposures. They offer a wide range of safety product categories with a description of the category and a list of safety products that fit under that category.