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  • Bio-Safety Training

    • Containment Levels

    Classification of organisms according to risk group may not be entirely appropriate for the handling of biological hazards in the laboratory setting. Health Canada is moving towards using containment levels which accounts for the procedures employed during the manipulation of a particular organism. Containment levels are more appropriate and give the end-user an indication of the containment required for handling the organism safely in a laboratory setting.

    Containment Level 1 (CL1)

    This level applies to the basic laboratory handling agents requiring containment level 1. CL1 requires no special design features beyond those suitable for a well-designed and functional laboratory. Work may be done on an open bench top, and containment is achieved through the use of practices normally employed in a basic microbiology laboratory.

    Containment Level 2 (CL2)

    This level applies to the laboratory handling agents requiring containment level 2.

    Including human blood, tissue and body fluids from healthy individuals

    The primary exposure hazards associated with organisms requiring CL2 are through the ingestion, inoculation, and mucous membrane route. Agents requiring CL2 facilities are not generally transmitted by the airborne route, but care must be taken to avoid the generation of aerosols or splashes. Primary containment devices such as biological safety cabinets and centrifuges with sealed rotors or safety cups are to be used, as well as personal protective equipment (gloves, laboratory coats, protective eyewear).

    Containment Level 3 (CL3)

    Not at University of Waterloo

    This level applies to diagnostic, research, and clinical laboratories, production facilities, or teaching laboratories handling agents requiring containment level 3. These agents may be transmitted by the airborne route, often have a low infectious dose to produce effects, and can cause serious or life-threatening disease. CL3 emphasizes additional primary and secondary barriers to minimize the release of infectious organisms into the immediate laboratory and the environment.

    Containment Level 4 (CL4)

    Not at University of Waterloo

    This is the maximum containment available and is suitable for facilities manipulating agents requiring containment level 4. These agents have the potential for aerosol transmission, often have a low infectious dose, and produce very serious and often fatal disease; there is generally no treatment or vaccine available. This level of containment represents an isolated unit, functionally and, when necessary, structurally independent of other areas.