Biosafety Cabinet Use SOP Template

1.Purpose

To protect the operator, the sample and the environment when working with biological material by using the biosafety cabinet correctly and keeping it certified and decontaminated.

2.Scope

Applies to all work performed inside a certified biosafety cabinet. General bench cleaning and chemical spill response are covered by separate SOPs.

Definitions

Certification

An annual or post-move inspection confirming the cabinet's airflow and HEPA filter meet performance standards.

Front intake grille

The opening along the front edge of the work surface that draws in air to protect the operator; it must never be blocked.

Purge time

The period the cabinet blower runs after work is finished to clear airborne particles before shutdown.

3.Responsibilities

Lab Technician

Uses the cabinet correctly for daily work and reports airflow alarms or certification issues.

Biosafety Officer

Tracks certification schedules, reviews incidents and approves the cabinet's return to service after an alarm.

Laboratory Manager

Approves the annual certification budget and resolves recurring equipment issues.

Maintenance Technician

Coordinates the certified vendor for annual certification and filter service.

RACI matrix

R = Responsible, A = Accountable, C = Consulted, I = Informed

4.Materials and PPE

Materials, tools and systems

• →Approved surface disinfectant compatible with cabinet materials
• →Cabinet certification sticker and log
• →Biohazard waste bags and sharps container
• →Lint-free wipes
• →UV lamp, if fitted, with usage log

Personal protective equipment

• →Disposable nitrile gloves
• →Lab coat with cuffed sleeves
• →Safety glasses or face shield if splash risk is present

5.Procedure

1. 5.1

   Check the certification sticker

   Lab Technician

   Before use, check the cabinet's certification sticker to confirm it is within its annual certification date.

   Warning: Do not use a cabinet with an expired certification sticker; report it and use an alternative cabinet.

2. 5.2

   Start airflow and let it stabilize

   Lab Technician

   Turn on the cabinet blower and lower the sash to the marked operating height, then wait the time stated in the cabinet's manual for airflow to stabilize.

3. 5.3

   Disinfect the interior surfaces

   Lab Technician

   Wipe the work surface, side walls and interior of the sash with the approved disinfectant before placing any materials inside.

4. 5.4

   Gather and arrange materials

   Lab Technician

   Collect all items needed for the task before starting, and arrange them from clean to dirty across the work surface without blocking the front or rear grilles.

   Checkpoint: No item, arm or paperwork blocks the front intake grille or rear exhaust grille.

5. 5.5

   Don PPE and load slowly

   Lab Technician

   Put on gloves over cuffed sleeves, and move arms in and out of the cabinet slowly and perpendicular to the sash opening to avoid disrupting airflow.

6. 5.6

   Work toward the center of the cabinet

   Lab Technician

   Perform manipulations at least 4 inches inside the sash opening and toward the center of the work surface, away from the edges.

7. 5.7

   Manage waste inside the cabinet

   Lab Technician

   Place used tips, tubes and other waste directly into a biohazard bag or sharps container positioned inside the cabinet, not outside it.

8. 5.8

   Decontaminate items before removal

   Lab Technician

   Surface-decontaminate any container or item with disinfectant before passing it out of the cabinet.

9. 5.9

   Clean up at the end of the task

   Lab Technician

   Remove all materials and waste, then wipe down the work surface, walls and any spills with the approved disinfectant.

10. 5.10

    Run the purge time before shutdown

    Lab Technician

    Leave the blower running for the manufacturer's stated purge time after the last item is removed before raising the sash or switching off.

11. 5.11

    Report airflow alarms

    Lab Technician

    If the cabinet's airflow alarm sounds during use, stop work, close the sash if safe, and report it to the biosafety officer before further use.

12. 5.12

    Schedule certification and filter service

    Maintenance Technician

    Track the annual certification due date and coordinate with the certified vendor to inspect airflow and replace HEPA filters as needed.

6.Quality checks

• →The certification sticker is current before any session begins.
• →Front and rear grilles remain unblocked throughout the work session.
• →The interior is disinfected before and after every use.
• →Airflow alarms are reported and resolved before the cabinet returns to use.

7.Records

• →Cabinet certification log
• →Cabinet usage log
• →Airflow alarm incident reports
• →UV lamp usage log, if applicable

8.KPIs

• →Percentage of cabinets certified on schedule
• →Number of airflow alarms per quarter
• →Average time to resolve an airflow alarm
• →Number of blocked-grille observations during audits

9.Common mistakes

• →Blocking the front intake grille with papers or elbows.
• →Moving arms in and out of the cabinet quickly during work.
• →Skipping the purge time before shutting the cabinet down.
• →Continuing to use a cabinet with an expired certification sticker.

10.Revision history