Lab Biosafety

Research with a variety of biological materials presents potential hazards of exposure that need to be carefully considered. Guidelines for safe use of rDNA, viruses, bacteria, select agents and toxins, blood and human tissue, and other biological materials require that safe practices and procedures be in place to reduce or eliminate these exposure risks. All research with biological materials also requires review and approval through the University’s Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).

Biosafety Manual

The Biosafety Manual provides information and references regarding all laboratory activities that may involve exposure to biohazardous agents or materials and that come under the purview of the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).

Activities which are specifically addressed are those involving:

• various bacterial, fungal, and parasitic agents
• Live viruses
• Recombinant DNA
• Exposure to research animals
• Human blood and tissues
• Receipt, handling, and disposal of biological materials

Sections III & IV of the Biosafety Manual provide guidelines for working safely with these materials. Section II provides information on the review and approval process for planned work with biological materials.

Training

In addition to the Laboratory Safety Training mandatory for all laboratory workers, the following training is required for individuals working with certain biological materials:

• Animal Worker Occupational Health and Safety Program is mandatory for all faculty, staff, and students who plan to have contact with research animals.
  • Begin Animal Worker Web-Based Training Program
    
• Bloodborne Pathogens Training is mandatory for all individuals working with or exposed to blood, blood components, or any unfixed human tissue in the laboratory.
  
• Live Virus Worker Training is mandatory for all faculty, staff, and students who plan to work with live pathogenic viruses.
  • Begin Live Virus Worker Web-Based Training Program

References & Links

• Biological Safety Cabinets (Primary Containment for Biohazards: Selection, Installation, and Use)
• Guidelines for Research Involving rDNA Molecules
• Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories
• Interstate Shipment of Etiologic Agents - 42 CFR Part 22
• Importation Permits for Etiologic Agents
• Laboratory Disinfectants
  • Table 1 Disinfectant Activity
  • Table 2 Disinfectant Characteristics
  • Table 3 Disinfectant Applications
• Material Safety Data Sheets for Microorganisms
• Select Biological Agents and Toxins