Computer Equipment and Note Taking

A Wistar Institute-networked common-use Power Macintosh 8500 that is equipped with a scanner and video-linkage to a Nikon inverted microscope is set up inside the BSL-3 facility in order to allow users external access to any data collected and/or experiments performed inside the BSL-3 facility. Users should contact the BSL-3 Laboratory Manager in order to obtain authorized access to the BSL-3 facility's computer equipment.

Although permanent notebooks are permitted inside the BSL-3 facility, users are encouraged to use the computer to record experiments and data. Data and notes should be kept inside the individual personal folders for each authorized BSL-3 user and NOT on the desktop of the computer. Unknown-author documents will be periodically removed from the system if not inside a clearly labeled personal folder. All BSL-3 users are responsible for back-up of their own files.

Users must change their outer layer of gloves before moving into the computer area from any other work area inside the BSL-3 facility. Also, users may NOT place any infectious or other experimental material within the computer area. No transit of paper will be permitted back and forth from the biosafety cabinets to the writing benches, as these two areas should be addressed as separate working environments. NO paper may be left in work areas (outside of the writing bench) after a user has left the facility. It is recommended that rough notes on paper scraps be transcribed into the computer or into permanent lab notebooks and that the scrap paper be discarded into the general waste autoclave buckets before the user leaves the BSL-3 facility.


The Wistar Institute
Biosaftey Level 3 Laboratory Code of Practice