You are members of a certified audit firm tasked to evaluate the safety aspects of a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL3) lab in your area. There are regulations to which such facilities need to comply, but no detailed guidance regarding equipment in such labs. This lab houses a high-end electron microscope, a massive 3m tall tool accompanied with multiple accessory cabinets and full of sophisticated high-end tech. Which product design aspects would you inspect in order to judge if the system is safe enough for use in BSL3?

Additional Info

• Pathogens studied in BSL3 can be airborne (disease developed by inhalation), and potentially lethal to humans

• Two key concerns of BSL3 labs are safety of lab workers and avoiding the escape of pathogens to the outside.

In this challenge, it is OK to focus on human safety, most importantly for people using or servicing the system

General BSL3 safety precautions include:

• Personal Protective Equipment (gloves, lab coat, respirator...)

• Aggressive cleaning and decontamination regime using liquid and gaseous disinfectants

• Assuring containment of pathogens

Guiding questions

• How do you prevent contamination from happening (or escaping)?

• How would you decontaminate the tool after usage?

• How do you ensure the safety of users and on-site service teams?

An evaluation of the safety aspects of a Biosafety Level 3 .