Abstract: Apparatus for effecting safe handling of biological and/or chemical materials, the apparatus comprising: a housing enclosing a workspace, wherein the housing comprises an opening for accessing the workspace; a sash mounted to the housing, the sash being configured to move between a closed position in which the sash covers the opening of the workspace and an open position in which the sash does not cover the opening of the workspace; a ventilation system disposed in the housing for drawing air out of the workspace; a motor for moving the sash between the open position and the closed position; an external power source for operating at least one of the ventilation system and the motor; and a secondary power source for operating at least one of the ventilation system and the motor when the external power source cannot deliver power to operate at least one of the ventilation system and the motor.