You will only be visiting labs that work with non-human pathogens. However, it is possible that while visiting a BSL-1 lab you will observe equipment or items that suggest the use of human materials or pathogens. There are some items that may indicate work with human pathogens or human materials, listed below and illustrated in the images provided. If found, this would be a BIOSAFETY CONCERN.
- Vacutainers with blood
- Tissue culture flasks
- Tissue culture plates; the 96 well variety are used in high-throughput equipment and are not necessarily indicative of tissue culture, but the 6 well plates are more commonly used for tissue culture and if you spot those, ask what they are used for.
- Any equipment with a biohazard symbol on it should make you ask what is stored in the equipment or used in the equipment that necessitates the biohazard symbol.
Almost all work with biological materials that are potentially pathogenic is required to be registered with the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). Your ability to accurately observe and notify the BSO about labs conducting biological research without IBC approval is an important part of our compliance monitoring network.