OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY MANUAL
14.
Section 14 – Biohazardous materials Policy
Version:
02
Page:
1 of 2
Issue Date:
12 July 2002
Authorised by: Marjorie Dickenson
BIOHAZARDOUS MATERIALS POLICY
Handling biological materials presents special risks which are not generally significant in other work
environments. As they are living, or contain living organisms, they are potentially more dangerous
than even hazardous chemicals. This is because micro-organisms:

may multiply very rapidly;

may be transferred from one person to another or even from animals to humans (are
transmissible);

may produce toxic waste products which can cause illness or death; and

are often extremely small and difficult to detect.
Even a very small amount of biologically hazardous material deposited on a surface may affect a
person, rapidly multiplying, given the right conditions, and cause a disease or illness which may be
passed on to many others in the workplace or even family and friends.
14.1.
Risk Assessment in Areas Using Biohazardous Materials
Risk assessments MUST be undertaken by any person/persons using biohazardous material
BEFORE use. The risk assessment procedure should be conducted as per that for
Hazardous Substances, except that the following additional items MUST be considered:

Is there any history of workplace infection from this material and if so how many were
affected?

Are all sources of infection identified and clearly marked with signage?

Are there any infectious agents in excretor or saliva handled in the area?

Is there a possibility of infection occurring between laboratory animals and humans?

Are individuals at a higher risk of infection due to age, sex, or medical conditions?

Are there vaccines available for any potential infectious agents used in the process,
and if so have staff been immunised?
14.2.
Sterilisation and Decontamination Procedures
Decontamination refers to rendering an item or area free from organisms by killing them.
Sterilisation is the total destruction of any living species by the use of physical or chemical
means.
Sanitation is the reduction in the number of living species in an area to an acceptable safe
level.
There are many procedures available for sterilisation and decontamination of biologically
hazardous materials. SimuLab policy dictates that heat sterilisation by autoclave is the
preferred technique wherever possible. If heat sterilisation is not possible or practical (for
example in the case of laboratory bench tops), chemical sterilisation using disinfecting
agents shall be used.
14.3.
Working with Micro-organisms
Micro-organisms are often highly contagious and therefore require specific containment
procedures for safe handling. All micro-organisms in SimuLab laboratories must be handled
according to procedures outlined in AS/NZS 2243.3:2002 Safety in Laboratories –
Microbiology.
Organisms in containment group 2 or higher MUST ALWAYS be handled in a
biological safety cabinet.
SimuLab’s Infection Control Checklist, form 5-105, MUST be completed before handling any
micro-organisms.
08-001
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY MANUAL
14.4.
Section 14 – Biohazardous materials Policy
Version:
02
Page:
2 of 2
Issue Date:
12 July 2002
Authorised by: Marjorie Dickenson
Forms


Risk assessment form
Infection control checklist form 05-105
08-001