N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 10 §§ 61-1.12

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 45, November 2, 2024

Section 61-1.12 - Physical containment levels; p2 level

(a) Laboratory practices.

(1) Laboratory doors shall be kept closed while experiments are in progress.

(2) Work surfaces shall be decontaminated daily, and immediately following spills of organisms containing recombinant DNA molecules.

(3) All laboratory wastes shall be steam-sterilized (autoclaved) before disposal. Other contaminated materials, such as glassware, animal cages, laboratory equipment and radioactive wastes, shall be decontaminated by a means demonstrated to be effective before washing, reuse or disposal.

(4) Mechanical pipetting devices shall be used; pipetting by mouth is prohibited.

(5) Eating, drinking, smoking, and storage of food are not permitted in the laboratory area in which recombinant DNA materials are handled.

(6) Persons shall wash their hands after handling organisms containing recombinant DNA molecules, and when they leave the laboratory.

(7) Care shall be exercised to minimize the creation of aerosols. For example, manipulations such as inserting a hot inoculating loop or needle into a culture, flaming an inoculation loop or needle so that it splatters, and forceful ejection of fluids from pipettes or syringes shall be avoided.

(8) Contaminated materials that are to be steam-sterilized (autoclaved) or decontaminated at a site away from the laboratory shall be placed in a durable leak-proof container, which is closed before removal from the laboratory.

(9) Only persons who have been advised of the nature of the research being conducted shall enter the laboratory.

(10) The universal biohazard sign shall be posted on all laboratory access doors when experiments requiring P2 containment are in progress. Freezers and refrigerators or other units used to store organisms containing recombinant DNA molecules shall also be posted with the universal biohazard sign.

(11) An insect and rodent control program shall be instituted.

(12) The use of laboratory gowns, coats, or uniforms is required. Laboratory clothing shall not be worn to the lunch room or outside of the building in which the laboratory is located.

(13) Animals not related to the experiment shall not be permitted in the laboratory.

(14) Use of the hypodermic needle and syringe shall be avoided when alternative methods are available.

(15) The laboratory shall be kept neat and clean.

(16) Experiments of lesser biohazard potential can be carried out concurrently in carefully demarcated areas of the same laboratory.

(b) Containment equipment. Biological safety cabinets shall be used to contain aerosol-producing equipment, such as blenders, lyophilizers, sonicators, and centrifuges, when used to process organisms containing recombinant DNA molecules, except where equipment design provides for containment of the potential aerosol. For example, a centrifuge may be operated in the open if a sealed head or safety centrifuge cups are used.

(c) Special laboratory design. An autoclave for sterilization of wastes and contaminated materials shall be available in the same building in which organisms containing recombinant DNA molecules are used.

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 10 §§ 61-1.12