AS NZS 2243.3-2022 PDF

Full title and description

AS/NZS 2243.3:2022 — Safety in laboratories — Part 3: Microbiological safety and containment. This joint Australian/New Zealand Standard specifies requirements and recommended practices for the safe handling, containment and control of microorganisms (including bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and prions) in laboratory and containment facilities, and describes risk-group classifications and facility/containment-level requirements.

Abstract

This Standard sets out organizational responsibilities, facility and equipment requirements, operational practices and emergency procedures to minimise risk to laboratory workers, the public, animals, plants and the environment when working with microbiological agents. It provides criteria for classifying microorganisms by risk group, describes corresponding containment levels and gives guidance on biosafety cabinets, personal protective equipment, waste management, decontamination, health surveillance, incident reporting and considerations for genetically modified organisms and prions.

General information

• Status: Current (in force)
• Publication date: 25 November 2022
• Publisher: Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand (joint publication)
• ICS / categories: 07.100.01 (Microbiology in general); 71.040.01 (Analytical chemistry in general)
• Edition / version: 7th edition (AS/NZS 2243.3:2022)
• Number of pages: 199 (publisher edition count)

Scope

The Standard applies to laboratories and containment facilities in which microbiological work is undertaken — including research, teaching, diagnosis, quality control and regulatory analysis — and to associated animal, plant and invertebrate containment facilities whether integral to or separate from the laboratory. It addresses safe handling of potentially infectious material, facility and equipment design and commissioning, personnel responsibilities, health management, incident and emergency response, and requirements where work involves genetically modified organisms or prions. It complements other parts of the AS/NZS 2243 series and relevant laboratory design standards.

Key topics and requirements

• Classification of microorganisms into risk groups and examples for human, animal, plant and aquatic agents.
• Containment level descriptions and corresponding facility, engineering and procedural controls (BSL/PC-type containment guidance).
• Organizational responsibilities: biosafety committees, biological safety officers and defined roles for laboratory managers and personnel.
• Risk assessment principles and task-specific controls, including selection and use of biological safety cabinets and other primary containment devices.
• Requirements for health management, immunization, medical surveillance and management of exposures or infections.
• Decontamination, disinfection, sterilization and validated waste-treatment/disposal procedures.
• Biosecurity considerations, access control, specimen handling, storage and transport within facilities.
• Procedures for commissioning, verification, routine maintenance and certification of containment systems and critical equipment.
• Emergency planning, spill management, incident reporting and record keeping.
• Special considerations for genetically modified organisms (GMO) work and for prion-containing materials.

Typical use and users

Used by laboratory managers, biosafety officers, institutional safety committees, designers and constructors of containment facilities, regulatory bodies, university and industry researchers, clinical and diagnostic laboratories, public-health and environmental testing facilities, and architects/engineers involved in laboratory design and commissioning. The Standard is applied to develop workplace procedures, risk assessments, training programs and to inform facility design and certification for microbiological containment.

Related standards

Other parts of the AS/NZS 2243 series (e.g., AS/NZS 2243.1, AS/NZS 2243.2, AS/NZS 2243.4–.10), AS/NZS 2982 (Laboratory design and construction), standards for biological safety cabinets (AS/NZS 2252 series), and relevant occupational health & safety, waste management and electrical/building standards. International guidance such as the WHO Laboratory Biosafety Manual and regional guidance (e.g., national biosafety codes) are commonly used alongside AS/NZS 2243.3 for best practice.

Keywords

microbiological safety, biosafety, containment levels, risk groups, laboratory safety, biological safety cabinet, decontamination, biosecurity, genetically modified organisms, prions, PPE, emergency response, laboratory design

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: AS/NZS 2243.3:2022 is the Australian/New Zealand Standard that specifies safety and containment requirements and recommended practices for laboratories handling microorganisms.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers risk-group classification of organisms, containment level requirements for facilities, organizational responsibilities, engineering and procedural controls (including biosafety cabinets), health management, waste and decontamination practices, incident response and special topics such as GMOs and prions.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Laboratory managers, biosafety officers, institutional safety committees, facility designers and constructors, researchers, clinical and diagnostic labs, and regulatory or certifying bodies use the Standard to set laboratory practices and to design, commission and operate containment facilities.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: It is current. AS/NZS 2243.3:2022 (published 25 November 2022) supersedes earlier editions (for example the 2010 edition).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 3 of the AS/NZS 2243 "Safety in laboratories" series; the series contains multiple parts addressing chemical, radiological, mechanical, electrical, fume cupboards, storage and other laboratory safety aspects.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Microbiological safety, biosafety, containment, risk group, laboratory design, biological safety cabinet, decontamination, biosecurity, PPE, GMO, prion safety.