Working in Biosafety Level 3 and 4 Laboratories: A Practical Introduction

Citation

Weidmann M, Silman N, Butaye P & Elschner M (eds.) (2013) Working in Biosafety Level 3 and 4 Laboratories: A Practical Introduction. Weinheim, Germany: Wiley-Blackwell. http://eu.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-352733467X.html

Abstract
This guide is based on a course developed in 2007 by the EU COST action group 28b which serves as a standard for many courses BSL3/4 training courses worldwide. The four-day course consists of lectures and practical training with the lecturers covering all the different possibilities of organising a BSL-3/4 lab including the adaptation to the local requirements of biosafety, safety at work, and social regulations. This book covers bio-containment, hazard criteria and categorisation of microbes, technical specifications of BSL-3 laboratories and ABSL-3 laboratories, personal protective gear, shipping BSL-3 and BSL-4 organisms according to UN and IATA regulations, efficacy of inactivation procedures, fumigation, learning from a history of lab accidents, handling samples that arrive for diagnostic testing and bridging the gap between the requirements of bio-containment and diagnostics. Course participants can not only use the book for their actual training event but it will remain a useful reference throughout their career in BSL3/4 labs.