Checklist for Safe Use of Biological Safety Cabinets

his checklist is a template you can edit and modify as necessary to incorporate your laboratory-specific

standard operating procedures (SOPs). Use this checklist as a daily reminder of the activities/tasks needed for

safely working in a Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC), as a training tool, or for annual audit of operational protocols.

Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC) Checklist

Preparing for Work in a BSC:

1. Put on PPE according to your laboratory SOP.
2. Turn UV light OFF (if used).
3. Turn fluorescent light ON.
4. Turn the cabinet ON, allow it to run for 4 minutes (or Manufacturer’s recommended time) to purge the BSC of particulates. Some cabinets may alarm until purge is complete.
5. 5.Verify proper sash height and that sash alarm is ON.
6. Verify drain valve underneath the cabinet is closed (valve handle is perpendicular to valve body).
7. Check cabinet’s certification sticker expiration date is within 1 year.
8. Record the pressure differential gauge reading (if present), compare it against the calibration set point.
9. Verify inward airflow according to your laboratory SOP (e.g., tissue test, smoke test).
10. Schedule uninterrupted work time, if possible.
11. Decontaminate all surfaces of the cabinet, according to your laboratory SOP.
12. Collect all materials needed for the work.

Safe Use of a BSC:

• Place absorbent plastic-backed material to protect the work surface, if required by your lab SOP.
• Wipe the external surfaces of any equipment or supplies that you will need to place in the BSC.
• Place materials as far back in the cabinet as practical without blocking front and rear grilles.
• Separate clean/sterile items from dirty/potential contaminated items inside the BSC.
• Work from clean to dirty to minimize cross-contamination.
• One person at a time should work in a cabinet. If two people need to work in a BSC, use a 6’ cabinet and document the protocol-driven need in a risk assessment completed by the Lab Supervisor prior to starting work.
• Move your arms slowly in and out of the BSC. Do not move arms in sweeping, sideways movements.
• If using the vacuum system, protect the vacuum line with a filter.
• Do not use open flame without approval from the Safety Office.
• Adjust the stool/bench height so your face is above the bottom of the sash and your arms enter the cabinet with elbows at 90° angles, armpits level with the bottom of the sash. Use a footrest if your feet do not touch the floor. Discard all waste in a biohazard bag inside of the BSC.

After Completing Work in a BSC:

• Do NOT turn cabinet OFF while removing items and decontaminating the cabinet.
• Close and surface decontaminate ALL containers and lab materials before removal.
• Surface decontaminate the exterior of the biohazard waste bag/container before removal and disposal.
• Decontaminate cabinet interior, including sidewalls, back wall, inside of sash and work surface.
• Remove the gloves you were using in the BSC and dispose of them according to your laboratory SOP.
• Turn fluorescent light and blower motor switches OFF.
• If required by your lab SOP, turn UV light ON. Keep the sash closed while the UV light is on.
• Wash your hands.
• This job aid is a component of the free, on-demand CDC training course “Fundamentals of Working Safely in a Biological Safety Cabinet.” Find the course at https://www.cdc.gov/labtraining