ohsrm PART B
School of Molecular Bioscience
Hazardous procedure: Use of Biosafety Class II cabinets
Step 3. Assess the risk
Assess the risk for the top priority hazards identified in PART A ie., begin with those rated 1, then 2 etc.
Ref. #
List & describe the hazards and hazardous jobs
Priority
Identification Date
1
Infection with microbial pathogens
4
17/3/2010
2
Fire in the biosafety cabinet due to inappropriate use
4
17/3/2010
3
Burns to eyes or skin from UV light in cabinet
4
17/3/2010
4
Sterilizing the Biosafety Cabinet with ethanol
5
17/3/2010
What makes it hazardous? Consult with the workers to find out which factors are relevant:
 The physical activity required
Swabbing the entire chamber (but not the HEPA Filter) with 80%
ethanol, repetitive action, awkward posture
 The work environment
Congested lab, possible obstruction of laminar air-flow to the cabinet.
 The nature of the hazard itself
Infection due to pathogenic microbes used in hood. Possible
unshielded uv hazard, ethanol intoxication or poisoning,
Bleach spills and vapour. Possible ignition of ethanol vapour.
Fire caused by use of Bunsen burner in hood
 The individual(s) involved
 Other risk factors or comments
OHS training in the use of a PC2 Certified Facility
Incomplete sterilization by aged UV lamps.
Inadequate sterilization by other users
Record the names of those consulted when assessing the risk
Peter Kerr, Joe Dimauro, Jenny Phuyal, Zia Ahmad, Angela Nikolic, Craig Jackson, Nick
Coleman,
Date
17/3/2010
Step 4. Control the risk(s)
Control the risks(s) by addressing the risk factors found in Step 3.
Consider the hierarchy of hazard control and record what controls will be used in the short term and longer
term. Record also who is responsible for implementing the control(s) and the due by date(s).
Describe the risk control(s)
Be qualified to use a PC2 facility.
Be qualified to use the PC2 Biosafety Cabinet.
Users should have completed the “Biosafety
Training Course” offered by the University.
Read the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) of
sterilizing agents and disinfectants.
Discuss the various biohazards, their associated
risks, and appropriate methods of decontamination
with other personnel using the Biosafety Cabinet.
Wear proper personal protective equipment:
laboratory gown (buttoned up, with sleeves tucked
into gloves), gloves (latex or nitrile), enclosed
footwear, hair tied back, safety glasses or goggles
if splash hazard exists.
Who is responsible for implementation
Supervisor of PC2 facility
Due by date
21/4/2010
Individual researcher and supervisor
21/4/2010
Individual researcher and supervisor
21/4/2010
Individual researcher and supervisor
21/4/2010
Turn UV light off and hood fan off before using
80% w/w ethanol or similar disinfectant to wipe the
surfaces within the cabinet ‘work area’ (NOT the
HEPA filter). Don’t use bleach – this will corrode
the stainless steel. Wait until all ethanol vapours
have dispersed (approx 5 min) before turning the
Biosafety Cabinet on (ethanol is flammable).
Have conc. bleach (eg. 10% sodium hypochlorite)
at hand to sterilize any decanted waste media
before removing such wastes from the Biosafety
cabinet. Become familiar with the Spills Kit supplied
by SMB and appropriate procedures in case of
large biologicals spill.
Ensure that the cabinet is routinely inspected
(annually) by appropriately trained personnel, and
ensure that UV lights are replaced regularly
(annually or sooner if necessary)
Do not use Bunsen burners or other naked
flames in the biosafety cabinet. This can cause
overheating and fire because the cabinet air is
recirculated and the HEPA filter is quite flammable.
If you need to do eg. streak plates or inoculations,
use an electric loop-burner, or use disposable
loops / spreaders.
Disinfect cabinet with ethanol (as above) after
finishing work, remove all your work items,
irradiate the cabinet with UV for approx 30 min.
Excessive UV irradiation (eg. overnight) does NOT
help – this shortens the lifespan of the UV bulb
Develop and display (in the laboratory) a Standard
Operating Procedure (SOP) for correct use (incl.
sterilization) of the Biosafety Cabinet.
Read and follow the SOP
Individual researcher and supervisor
21/4/2010
Individual researcher and supervisor
21/4/2010
Individual researcher and supervisor
21/4/2010
Individual researcher and supervisor
21/4/2010
Individual researcher and supervisor
21/4/2010
SMB Safety Committee, researcher
and supervisor
21/4/2010
Individual researcher and supervisor
21/4/2010
If serious incidents occur, isolate the area, warn
immediate personnel to keep away and call:
Robert Czolij xt 16941, Zia Ahmad xt 12224 or
Security Services xt 13333 (or 0000)
Individual researcher and supervisor
21/4/2010
Record the names of those consulted when deciding on risk control measures
Peter Kerr, Joe Dimauro, Jenny Phuyal, Zia Ahmad, Angela Nikolic, Craig Jackson, Nick Coleman,
PART B completed by: R. Czolij
Date:
17/3/2010