Safety in laboratories - Code of practice - Part 3: Biosafety and biocontainment in microbiology laboratories (First revision)
This Malaysian Standard specifies requirements, responsibilities and general guidelines
relating to safety in laboratories where microorganisms and prions are handled. It is intended
for laboratories, including animal, plant and arthropod containment facilities, whether integral
or separate to the laboratory, where microbiological work such as research, teaching,
diagnosis, quality control and regulatory analysis, e.g. of foodstuffs, water and effluents,
pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, is undertaken. It may also provide assistance to other
laboratories where specimens which may contain microorganisms and prions are handled.
This Standard should be read in conjunction with MS 1042: Part 1.
This standard provides:
a) The term microorganism covers fungi, bacteria, rickettsia, mycoplasma and viruses.
b) The term containment facility is used when referring to ancillary sections of laboratories.
Historical terms such as plant houses, glass houses, green houses, insectaries and
animal houses are no longer used. For example, an animal house is referred to as animal
containment facility.
This standard does not provide detailed guidance for genetic manipulation or modern
biotechnology activities. Reference should be made to Biosafety guidelines: Contained use
activities of living modified organisms (LMO), Department of Biosafety, Ministry of Natural
Resources and Environment for such activities (see 4.5).
