ohsrm PART B
School of Molecular Bioscience
Hazardous procedure: Handling quarantine (AQIS) materials
Step 3. Assess the risk
Ref. #
Description of the hazard or hazardous job
Priority
Identification Date
1.
Infection of lab worker with microorganisms
4
11/5/2010
2.
Release of microorganisms from lab,
and infection of people in the wider community
Release of microorganisms from lab,
and infection of livestock, pets or other animals
Release of microorganisms from lab,
and infection of crops or other plants
Release of other pest organisms (eg. insects) from lab, with
negative ecological / economic consequences
5
11/5/2010
5
11/5/2010
5
11/5/2010
5
11/5/2010
3.
4.
5.
What makes it hazardous? Consult with the workers to find out which factors are relevant:
X The nature of
the hazard itself
X The individual(s)
X
involved
The work
environment
AQIS materials include biological agents (typically microorganisms or insects) that
have the potential to cause damage to human, ecological, or economic health.
Safe handling of AQIS-approved materials requires specific training and awareness
of the risks involved.
Work with AQIS materials must take place in either a QAP1 or QAP2 facility unless
the AQIS permit indicates otherwise. Work with these agents in other non-approved
premises increases the risk of the agents escaping from the lab.
Record the names of those consulted when assessing the risk
Peter Kerr, Joe Dimauro, Jenny Phuyal, Zia Ahmad, Angela Nikolic, Robert Czolij, Craig Jackson
Date
11/5/2010
Step 4. Control the risk(s)
Describe the risk control(s)
Who is responsible
for implementation
Due by
date
Import of biological agents into Australia from overseas typically requires
a quarantine permit. This includes DNA samples, human tissues, cell
cultures, plasmids, viruses, bacteria, food samples, soil samples (and
more). Enquire with AQIS if in doubt. The School has existing permits for
some things (eg. DNA samples, E.coli strains, and other common items)
Individual researcher
and their supervisor
21/6/2010
Copies of any quarantine permits obtained by SMB members must be
submitted to the building manager (Zia Ahmad) for central storage.
Similarly, details of any biological agents imported into the School that
require an AQIS permit must be forwarded to the building manager, such
that appropriate records of our holdings can be kept up-to-date.
Individual researcher
and their supervisor
21/6/2010
Work on AQIS-approved materials must be done according to the permit
requirements. This may require work in a QAP1 or QAP2 premises. At
present, the School of Molecular Bioscience has two rooms approved as
QAP1 premises: 245 and 549. We do not have a QAP2 room.
Individual researcher
and their supervisor
21/6/2010
Entry into QAP1/QAP2 labs is restricted. Entry of casual visitors is NOT
permitted. A QAP-accredited person must conduct all the work in the
room, or directly supervise others performing this work
Individual researcher
and their supervisor
21/62010
Working with quarantine materials requires specific training to deal with
the hazards; specifically, the worker must prevent contamination of
themselves or their environment, and have a good understanding of the
risks associated with the specific agents they are working with
Individual researcher
and their supervisor
21/6/2010
Personal protective equipment must be worn when working with
quarantine-approved agents (lab coat, gloves, proper footwear, hair tied
back, safety glasses if splash/squirt/spray risk present). If working in
QAP1 or QAP2 premises, protective gear must not leave the premises.
Individual researcher
and their supervisor
21/6/2010
QAP rooms must be physically separate from other rooms and have
sufficient physical barriers protecting them from the rest of the building
and from the environment eg. screens on all vents such that even insects
cannot enter or leave the room. No quarantine materials must leave the
room unless killed by bleach or autoclaving.
Individual researcher
and their supervisor
21/6/2010
Any wastes generated from quarantine materials must be autoclaved to
completely inactivate any biological agents in them. Do not discard
wastes into regular bins or down the sink!
Individual researcher
and their supervisor
21/6/2010
QAP rooms must be effectively identified with signs noting that they are
quarantine approved premises, and detailing the room custodian. A
current and valid QAP permit must be displayed on the QAP room.
Individual researcher
and their supervisor
21/6/2010
Spills of quarantine-approved materials must be decontaminated
immediately using bleach, with any cleanup materials disposed of as
biohazards ie. by autoclaving.
Individual researcher
and their supervisor
21/6/2010
Development of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
Safety Committee
21/6/2010
Reading and following the SOP
Individual user and
their supervisor
21/6/2010
Record the names of those consulted when deciding on risk control measures
Peter Kerr, Joe Dimauro, Jenny Phuyal, Zia Ahmad, Angela Nikolic, Robert Czolij, Craig Jackson
PART B completed by: Nick Coleman
Date:
11/5/2010