SECTION D3: LIVE VIRUS WORKER PROGRAM

• Introduction
• Scope and Application
• Procedure
• Roles and Responsibilities
• For More Information

Introduction

Viruses have been identified as the cause of scores of recognized diseases. Some viruses have been implicated as the cause of cancerous tumors in animals and a few as contributing to cancer in humans. There may be as yet unidentified hazards from exposure to certain viruses. However, for those working with live viruses in the laboratory, there are established practices and procedures, personal protective equipment and containment devices that will protect against infection if properly followed and used. In order to ensure such practices are understood and followed, the University Biosafety Committee established a Live Virus Worker Program. Under the Live Virus Worker Program, individuals working with certain viruses are provided with appropriate training, instruction, and medical review.

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Scope and Application

Anyone working with live viruses in the laboratory, except for those working with non-human retroviruses and insect viruses (i.e. baculo virus), are required to participate in the Live Virus Worker Program.

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Program Description

The purpose of the Live Virus Worker Program is to establish safe handling procedures, including the use of engineering controls (e.g., biosafety cabinet) and personal protective equipment, as appropriate, and to ensure the virus worker understands and accepts any risks associated with the work. This is accomplished by completion of the web-based training, medical reviews with Employee Health, and instruction with supervisory personnel on established lab procedures.

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Procedure

Individuals who will be working with certain live viruses in the laboratory must successfully complete the web-based training, medical review, and informed concent prior to such work.

The following provide the steps necessary to complete this process.

1. Complete the Live Virus Worker Training Module.
2. Review any special health and safety procedures which have been established by your Principle Investigator.
3. Complete the Live Virus Worker Personnel Form, Section A and B.
4. Complete the Health History Form.
5. Meet with your Principle Investigator to discuss any questions about the proposed live virus work and the Notice and Acknowledgement: Exposure to Live Viruses in the Laboratory.
6. Review, sign, and date the Notice and Acknowledgement form.
7. Provide your Principle Investigator with the completed Personnel Information Form for signature and take this along with the completed Acknowledgement and Health History forms to Employee Health for your medical review.
8. Arrange an appointment with Employee Health at 258-5035 to review your medical history and complete any necessary serum draw and tittering.

Further information and directions for completing this process are found in the Live Virus Worker Program Instructions and Requirements.

Further medical surveillance or follow-up may be required under any of the following circumstances:

• Pregnancy
• Exposure to live virus by accident or injury
• Contraction of any medical condition or treatment which may affect the individual’s immune status
• As directed by the principal investigator

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Roles and Responsibilities

Principal Investigator

• Advise new laboratory personnel of Live Virus Worker Program.
• Ensure virus workers complete the Live Virus Worker web-based training and medical review.
• Ensure that completed forms are sent to the Employee Health at McCosh Health Center.
• Ensure that required medical surveillance is completed for virus worker.

Employee Health

• Provide for medical review, and necessary serum antibody tittering, or any other additional medical surveillance required by the Biosafety Committee.
• Review the completed Health History Form and Personnel Information Form, Acknowledgement Form, and complete the medical review with the virus worker.
• File in the individual’s medical chart, the Health History Form, and a photo copy of the Personnel Information Form.
• Forward to EHS the completed Personnel Information Form and the Acknowledgement Form for each individual in the Program.

EHS

• Maintain records of original Acknowledgement Forms and Personnel Information Forms for each individual in the Program.
• Maintain a data base of live virus workers.
• Review with the Principal Investigator the names and status of all live virus workers annually.

Individual

• Complete the LVW web-based training and medical review.
• Carefully follow procedures necessary for safe work with viruses in the laboratory.

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For More Information

Contact EHS/Biosafety Officer at 258-5294

A Laboratory Biosafety Self-Audit Checklist is available through EHS or may be downloaded either as a PDF or a customizable Word document. The Laboratory Biosafety Orientation Check list is also available as a PDF or Word document.

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