Biohazard codes

Sometimes in the design of a BSL-4 facility, the full letter of health and safety codes/requirements for the protection of workers can not be met. This is where health and safety specialists must compromise and use their ingenuity to meet the intent of the requirements. For example, it is not always possible to provide a secondary means of egress from each area. Two change facilities are not cost effective or practical. A viable alternative is the use of airlocks with built-in liquid disinfection systems which are not hazardous to humans, but destroy the biohazard. These airlocks must be clearly identified as others are often used for transportation of equipment and other materials and contain hazardous disinfection systems. 

Many modern analyzers u.se a closed-tube technology to minimize exposure to biohazards and to reduce manual manipulations. Samples and reagents arc dispensed automatically, the measurements made by photometry or ion-selective electrodes, and the results computed. Most have bar-coding capabilities to reduce errors from incorrect patient identification, A typical chemistry-immunochemisiry automated analyzer is shown in Figure 3.3-18. 

A consensus code of practice for controlling biohazards. Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, was first produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health in 1984 the third and most recent edition was published in 1993 (U.S. DHHS, 1993). 

The implementation of sanitary sewer systems and treated water supplies has protected the public from many kinds of biohazards. State and local governments have plumbing codes, codes for sanitary sewer systems, and codes for water supply systems. In many locations, plumbing and sanitary lines require inspection when initially installed or modified. Strict code enforcement prevents potential disease transfer. Careful separation of potable water from untreated water supplies and sewer lines prevents cross-contamination or back flow to the potable water. 

Immediately, or as soon as possible after use, contaminated reusable sharps must be placed in puncture-resistant, leak-proof containers, labeled as a biohazard, or color-coded red until properly reprocessed. Specimens of blood or other potentially infectious materials must be placed in leak-proof containers. 

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