A Biosafety Level 2+ (BSL-2+) laboratory is where work with microorganisms is conducted in a BSL- 2 laboratory with selected biosafety practices and procedures that are typically found at BSL-3. In these instances, laboratories are going above requirements by adopting BSL-3 practices as an added safety measure. Although this hybrid approach has been in use for many years, research institutions still find it challenging to decide when to use this approach and which BSL-3 practices to use for their experiments. This hybrid approach can facilitate safe science when a thorough risk assessment is performed.
The 3rd edition of EH&E’s guide addresses the three greatest challenges to implementation of a BSL-2+:
- Determining what work or projects require BSL-3 practices, and BSL-3 practices to adopt.
- Ensuring that the researchers are properly trained in the use of BSL-3 practices in a BSL-2 laboratory.
- Ensuring that the Laboratory Supervisor, Principal Investigator, or their designee, develops a project-specific SOP.