Biological safety levels (BSLs) represent a tiered system (BSL-1 to BSL-4) that outlines laboratory designs, precautions, and practices to provide safe work environments for those working with biohazardous materials. The CDC has stated that routine COVID-19 specimens for diagnostic testing can be safely worked with in a BSL-2 laboratory when following standard precautions.
Wherever there is a risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens or OPIMs in the laboratory, at a minimum these restrictions apply:
- No smoking
- No eating or drinking
- No applying cosmetics or lip balm
- No handling contact lenses
- Food and beverages cannot be kept in refrigerators, freezers, shelves, cabinets, or countertops where blood or OPIM are present
- No mouth pipetting
When working with COVID-19 specimens, additional BSL-2 laboratory precautions can include:
- Restrict access to the laboratory when work is being conducted.
- Notify others in the lab when work is being conducted and if there is an incident.
- Work within a biological safety cabinet (BSC) if available.
- All procedures in which infectious aerosols or splashes may be created are conducted in BSCs or other physical containment equipment.
- Work behind a plexiglass screen (splash guard) in an isolated designed area if BSC is not available.
- Work with samples on top of a plastic-backed absorbent pad.
- Routinely decontaminate surfaces using an EPA List N disinfectant.
- Place potentially infectious material in a durable, leak proof container during collection, storage or transport.
- Strictly follow standard and special microbiological practices.
- Use sealable centrifuge safety cups whenever possible to avoid exposure to aerosols.
- Ensure that employees have access to personal protective equipment (PPE), EPA-approved disinfectants against SARS-CoV-2, soap, clean running water, and drying materials for handwashing, or alcohol-based hand sanitizers that contain at least 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol.
