scope:

This guideline is intended to be a practical tool for the healthcare facility laboratory worker, and to promote the essence of good laboratory practice for the protection of laboratory workers from major infectious pathogens. M29-A3 has expanded its scope to include not only those agents that pose a risk that is both common and grave, such as HBV, HCV and HIV, but also other agents that may be associated with laboratory-acquired infections involving aerosols, droplets, or other potentially infectious materials.

This guideline deals not only with issues concerning clinical laboratories; it also includes detailed discussion of common functions and practices that may affect many other healthcare workplaces or research and animal facilities. Although this document does not specifically address these areas, information may be extracted from this guideline for use in other areas that handle potentially infectious material.