VA HANDBOOK 7610 (240)
August 20, 1986
______Amb. Care_____ ______Main Lab._____
1. Levels M and S ........... 1 @ 4.7 NSM ( 50 NSF) 1 @ 4.7 NSM ( 50 NSF)
2. Levels Vl and L ........... 2 @ 4.7 NSM ( 50 NSF) 2 @ 4.7 NSM ( 50 NSF)
(2) LLTS
(a) Employee Biosafety Room (Lounge): The laboratory must be designed with
adequate protection for employees from substances commonly used in clinical
laboratories such as volatile, inflammable liquids,corrosive acids and other
dangerous substances. Hepatitis -associated antigen and other viruses (AIDS)
area commonly found in laboratories of all sizes, and employees must be
protected from these highly contagious viruses.
An area should be provided where personnel may eat, drink and smoke away
from the work stations, where hepatitis -associated antigen and noxious fumes
and aerosols may be encountered. This area is needed to prevent exposure of
employees to substances in their work environment which are toxic, carcinogen,
radioactive, or biological hazards, (hepatitis, AIDS) since they are not allowed to
eat, smoke, or drink in the laboratory work area. Accreditation of each laboratory
is also dependent on compliance with safety regulations set forth on the College
of American Pathologists, that includes t his provision.
1. Levels M and S ..........................................................................................................................11.2 NSM (120 NSF)
2. Level L .........................................................................................................................................16.7 NSM (180 NSF)
3. Level VL ......................................................................................................................................18.6 NSM (200 NSF)
(b) Lockers and Toilets ...................................................................................................................See chapter 410, LLTS
Employee locker and toilet facilities should be provided near the employee
biosafety room.
(3) Sterilization And Solution Preparation Room
The environmental safety regulations in many states require sterilization
(autoclaving) of items which are contaminated with blood or body fluids.
Sterilization is now required in many states for all biological wastes in laboratories.
This room also serves a dual function for large volume solution preparation,
distilled water preparation and for washing large contaminated items. In Levels S,
M, and L laboratories, the bench and sink area can be used to prepare special media
for microbiology.
(a) Levels M and S ..........................................................................................................................23.2 NSM (250 NSF)
(b) Level L .........................................................................................................................................46.5 NSM (500 NSF)
(c) Level VL ......................................................................................................................................55.7 NSM (600 NSF)
(4) Storage
(a) Bulk Storage: To provide increased storage for plastic, paper and other dry,
nonbiological supplies and reagents used to perform tests. Advances in
laboratory technology have created a change from glass to disposable plasticware
for nearly all laboratory functions.
This area provides space to store and lock valuable items which could easily be
stolen (microscopes, small analyzers, typewriters, dictating machines, calculators,
etc).
240-14
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