The purpose of containment is to reduce or eliminate exposure of laboratory workers, other people and the outside environment to potentially hazardous agents. The three elements of containment include laboratory practice and technique, safety equipment, and facility design. Containment includes primary containment, the protection of personnel and the laboratory environment from exposure to biohazardous agents and secondary containment, the protection of the environment outside of the laboratory from exposure to biohazardous agents. Primary containment is possible through good microbiological technique and the proper use of appropriate safety equipment.
Secondary containment is provided by a combination of facility design and operational practices.
Laboratory Practice and Technique. The most important element of containment is strict adherence to standard microbiological practices and techniques. The PI or laboratory supervisor is responsible for providing or arranging for appropriate training of personnel. Each laboratory should develop an operational manual which identifies specific hazards that will or may be encountered, and which specifies practices and procedures designed to minimize or eliminate risks. Personnel should be advised of special hazards and should be required to read and to follow the required practices and procedures.