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Lab Inspections


Laboratory inspections are a requirement for all experiments and teaching activities involving BSL-2 or higher containment. These experiments and teaching activities may include work with recombinant DNA, infectious organisms, and/or biologically-derived toxins. Please refer What Needs Approval. In order to receive initial approval for research and teaching activities in a BSL-2 or BSL-3 laboratory or facility, a current inspection report must be on file with all identified deficiencies corrected. An inspection of a BSL-2 laboratory is valid for a period of three years. Activities requiring BSL-3 containment and/or using select agents require inspections at least annually. The investigator is responsible for ensuring that the appropriate inspections are obtained. To schedule an inspection, contact the Biological Safety Officer (BSO) at 744-3203. A pre-inspection will be conducted prior to the official inspection in an effort to answer questions and address any obvious issues.



The following steps will help investigators prepare for the inspections:


  • Take time to sort through your biological materials, including biological samples, cultures, biologically-derived toxins, plasmid, vectors, etc.
  • Verify that all samples are properly identified and stored correctly.
  • Ensure the proper disposal of unwanted materials, including any unidentified or unclaimed material. Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) has a helpful website.

    If at any point select agents are completely removed from an inventory for the purpose of destruction, the PI must contact the BSO prior to destruction. A time will be arranged for the BSO to witness the destruction. Additionally, the Destruction of Inventory form will need to be filled out by the BSO and signed by all involved parties.


  • Written inventories, training records, a chemical hygiene plan, a medical surveillance plan, and safety and security procedures/manuals must be available for inspection.

Information on biosafety containment levels and other guidance is available in the NIH Guidelines and the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 5th Edition. Investigators are encouraged to consult these sources to ensure that their laboratories meet the required standards for sound biosafety.

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