Certified Safety Professional Practice Exam

The main purpose of primary containment is to protect personnel from infectious agents. This concept is critical in laboratories, particularly those that handle biohazardous materials. Primary containment involves using barriers such as biosafety cabinets, personal protective equipment (PPE), and other safety devices to contain hazardous substances at their source and minimize the risk of exposure to laboratory staff.

By ensuring that infectious agents are adequately contained, the risk of accidental exposure or release into the laboratory environment is significantly reduced. This is essential for maintaining a safe working environment and preventing potential health risks to personnel.

While protecting the environment outside the lab, preventing contamination of laboratory materials, and enhancing communication in the lab are all important aspects of laboratory safety, they do not directly address the core goal of primary containment, which is specifically designed to safeguard worker health against potentially infectious agents.