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Ergonomic Practices & Safety
When working in a Biological Safety Cabinet, there are many things a user must keep in mind in order to avoid injury and help the cabinet operate to its full potential. These tips below are a few things for lab personnel to keep in mind when Working In A BioSafety Cabinet.
1) Be Mindful of Your Movements Within the Cabinet.
When working in a BioSafety Cabinet, rapid movements can create air currents within the cabinet. This could lead to contaminated air entering the cabinet or create cross contamination from within the cabinet itself. Slow and deliberate arm movements are best method to avoiding this.
2) Be Careful of Where You Are Walking
Walking too quickly and too close to a biological safety cabinet can disrupt the protective air current within cabinet as well. Disturbing the air in front of the cabinet could cause contaminated ambient air to enter the cabinet and possibly cause air from the cabinet to enter the sterile work environment. Creating a “no walking zone” with tape or paint on the floor in front of the cabinet can help to alleviate these risks.
3) Ergonomics Are Important When Working In A BioSafety Cabinet
How you are sitting at your work station could have an impact on your health and your work. Having a comfortable and supportive chair helps but proper posture is also key. Sitting up straight with your knees at a 90 degree angle could save you from shoulder and lower back pain or stress. Utilizing both of your hands when operating your pipette can save on wrist stress.
4) Checking the Control Panel
Keeping your biological safety cabinet running at peak performance is vital. This is easy as listening for alarms and checking for any warning lights that might pop up. Replacing your HEPA filters on time and having routine maintenance done will help keep your cabinet running smoothly and therefore keeping your work from potentially being ruined. Most bio safety cabinets have pressure or airflow monitors or gauges that have alarms when the airflow level is not optimal, but others do not. Regardless you should check everything daily so that you know for sure that your cabinet is running as it should be.
5) Don’t Block the Front Grill Working In A BioSafety Cabinet
The front grill is there to provide a barrier between the laboratory environment and the work zone. Blocking the air current from the grill will cause cross contamination either in the cabinet or in the sterile work zone so it is very important to keep the front grill clear of any obstacles.
For more information on BioSafety Cabinet ergonomic, safety, best practices and product information, contact your local area rep today or click here to view available NuAire Biological Safety Cabinets.
