Biological Safety Classification:

BioSafety Classification

Biological laboratories are categorized by their level of hazard as Biosafety Level (BSL) 1-4. As the degree of protection and risk for personnel and the environment of the lab increases, the levels of BSL are designated in ascending order.   Currently, our campus is composed of only of BSL-1 & 2 laboratories. The BSL chart shows how a particular laboratory will be rated depending on the nature of the laboratory.  Most laboratories at CSUSM are BSL-1.

Summary of recommended BioSafety levels for infectious agents.

• Biosafety Level 1
   

  Bio Safety Level 1 Details

  Agents	Practices	Safety Equipment (Primary Barriers)	Facilities (Secondary Barriers)
  Not known to cause disease in healthy adults.	Standard Microbiological Practices	None required	Open bench top Sink required

• Biosafety Level 2

  Bio Safety Level 2 Details

  Agents	Practices	Safety Equipment (Primary Barriers)	Facilities (Secondary Barriers)
  Associated with human disease,hazard = auto‑ inoculation, ingestion, mucous membrane exposure	BSL‑1 practice plus: Limited access Biohazard warning signs "Sharps" precautions Biosafety manual defining any needed waste decontamination or medical surveillance policies	Primary barriers = Class I or 11 BSCs or other physical containment devices used for all manipulations of agents that cause infectious materials PPEs: laboratory coats; gloves; face protection as needed	BSL‑1 plus: Autoclave available

• Biosafety Level 3

  Bio Safety Level 3 Details

  Agents	Practices	Safety Equipment (Primary Barriers)	Facilities (Secondary Barriers)
  Indigenous or exotic agents with potential for aerosol transmission; disease may have serious or lethal consequences	BSL‑2 practice plus: Controlled access Decontamination of all waste Decontamination of lab clothing before laundering Baseline serum	Primary barriers = Class I or II BSCs or other physical containment devices used for all manipulations of agents; PPEs: protective lab clothing; gloves respiratory protection as needed	BSL‑1 plus: Autoclave available

• Biosafety Level 4

  Bio Safety Level 4 Details

  Agents	Practices	Safety Equipment (Primary Barriers)	Facilities (Secondary Barriers)
  Dangerous/exotic agents which pose high risk of life threatening disease, aerosol‑ transmitted lab injections; or related agents with unknown risk of transmission	BSL‑3 practices plus: Clothing change before entering on exit from facility	Primary barriers = All procedures conducted in Class III BSCs or Class I or II BSCs in combination with full-body, air-supplied, positive pressure personnel suit	BSL‑3 plus: Separate building or isolated zone Dedicated supply/exhaust, vacuum, and decon systems