Department of Chemistry and Department of Biology and Biochemistry:
Risk Assessment of: Work in the GM Glasshouse
at the University of Bath.
Assessor(s):
Anyone working in the GM
Glasshouse.
Work Authorised by:
Date:
Updated May 2015
Overview of activity / location / equipment /
conditions being assessed:
Working in the GM Glasshouse at the University of Bath. Preventing the transfer of GM plants or
recombinant DNA from transgenic organisms (such as via pollen or seed) inside the glasshouse to
populations outside the glasshouse.
Hazard
Who could be
harmed?
How could they be
harmed?
Control measures needed to minimise risk
Loss of containment
Environment
Environment could be
harmed by the transfer
of GM plants or
recombinant DNA (via
seeds or pollen)
Negative Air Pressure: Containment of airborne pollen, spores and insects is a significant
challenge. One strategy to help achieve it is to create negative air pressure within a facility.
Negative pressure exists as a mechanical device (e.g. fan) is used to extract air from the
glasshouse. Thus if the physical integrity of the glasshouse is breached, air from the outside will
be sucked into the facility, minimising the chance of pollen, or seed, escape.
Insect and pollen screens: Air flowing in and out of the glasshouse passes through filters.
Screens keep pests and pollinators out of the glasshouse (demonstrating exclusion) or,
conversely, keep experimental organisms inside (demonstrating containment).
GM Limited access: The GM glasshouse is kept locked when no-one is working inside it. Access
to glasshouses housing transgenic research materials is restricted to named personnel. (A list of
authorised personnel is held by the GMSC).
The vestibule area and double doors: Access to the plant growing areas is restricted through a
vestibule area incorporating a double door system that prevents direct access to the outside.
This greatly reduces the likelihood of any material escaping from the growing areas during entry
and exit of personnel. Both doors are never opened at the same time to prevent a loss of
containment.
Sticky mats: A sticky mat (TakMat) inside the glasshouse at the outer doorway of the vestibule
is deigned to trap any material such as pollen, seeds, etc adhering to foot-ware. The topmost
layer of the mat is regularly removed and disposed as contaminated waste.
Protective clothing: Within the vestibule are designated lab coats. These must be worn at all
times by staff in the facility. These should be taken off and left in the vestibule before leaving
the facility. This will minimize the chance of spread of GM material.
Labelling: All GM plant material is labelled. Where known, end dates are recorded on plant
trays and also on the external doors of the temperature controlled rooms.
Cleanliness: All areas of the glasshouse should be cleaned regularly and maintained in a tidy
condition. Hygiene facilities such as a washbasin are available and must be made use of by users
of the facility. All re-usable materials such as pots, trays etc should be disinfected by a validated
method after each use. Deep cleaning should take place at the end of experimental work.
Collection and treatment of drainage water: All liquid effluent is collected into a trap and
disinfected by a validated method prior to discharge to the drains.
Secure transport of plants and materials between GM Glasshouse, temperature controlled
rooms and Laboratory: Plants and materials containing transgenes being transported between
the GM glasshouse, temperature controlled rooms or laboratory areas must be in double sealed
containers with lids that minimize the risk of escape.
Waste materials: All waste plant material, growth media, floor sweepings, TakMat layers and
disposable materials should be segregated into clearly marked bags and treated by a validated
means before disposal to kill any residual organisms and destroy any rDNA. Where possible
waste materials should be autoclaved.
The surrounding area and contingency plan for dealing with escapes: A programme of regular
ground maintenance in the area immediately surrounding the glasshouse is employed to ensure
that cross-fertile plants are not within the pollen dispersal range of the experimental plant.
On a two-weekly basis the area surrounding the glasshouse will be checked for weedy plants
that may include potential escapees. The area is grassed and any non-grass plants (except trees)
should be up-rooted and deposited in an autoclave bag for disposal.
Minimizing the amount of pollen and seed: Pollen and seed represent the most significant risk
to the environment from transgenic plants within the GM glasshouse. This risk is minimized by
preventing flowering or seed set where possible; otherwise, the number of flowers or seed
pods are kept to a minimum consistent with the demands of the experiment
Seed storage: Seeds are not to be stored in the GM glasshouse apart from in the designated
fridge in the vestibule area. Seeds should be sown in the vestibule area and any excess returned
to secure storage within the fridge, laboratories or temperature controlled rooms.
Transfer of transgenic plants between glasshouse and lab: Closed, double-sealed containers
are available for secure transport of plants. These should be used irrespective of the life-cycle
stage of the plants. Take care to avoid contaminating the exterior surface of the containers with
pollen or seeds.
Residual risk rating: (3) Moderate x (2) Unlikely = (6) LOW
Untrained staff in facility
Environment
Environment could be
harmed by the transfer
of GM plants or
recombinant DNA (via
seeds or pollen)
Providing information, training and supervision: Before entering the glasshouse, all staff
working around transgenic organisms should be fully informed by the project supervisor about
the containment measures applicable to a given research project. Prescribed procedures and
practices should be appropriate for the assigned Containment level; those that appear excessive
for the needed level of containment may discourage compliance.
Relevant GM project risk assessments (and the Local Rules): These must be read by all those
involved and signatures obtained from them.
Appropriate supervision of workers must be provided.
Induction material: No staff are allowed to start work until they have been given an induction.
The induction includes instruction to all staff to register all GMO work with the GM committee,
that they cannot use the glasshouse facilities without receiving training first and that all work
must be Risk Assessed. Recently all staff were sent out an induction summary to remind them
of the induction details and to send any new staff to the Technical Team.
Disposal: Re-usable pots must be disinfected by immersing in a solution of bleach (1,000ppm
available chlorine) for at least 8 hours (usually overnight). (1,000ppm Cl solution can be made
by diluting commercial bleach [nominal 5% Cl] by a factor of 1 in 50.)
All plant material, compost, floor sweepings, TakMat layers and disposable plastic ware, such as
pots, should be placed in the autoclave bags provided in the blue skips.
These bags (and skips) will be removed periodically for sterilization by autoclaving (minimum of
126oC for 30 minutes) in Building 4S. The floor (including under the floor drain covers) should
be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner every week. Material from the vacuum cleaner bag must be
disposed of in the autoclave bag.
Residual risk rating: (3) Moderate x (2) Unlikely = (6) LOW
Unauthorised access to
facility
Environment
Environment could be
harmed by the transfer
of GM plants or
recombinant DNA (via
seeds or pollen)
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Signs are on door inducting that access is restricted.
Access to glasshouses housing transgenic research materials is restricted. Only personnel
approved by the GMSC should enter the GM glasshouse. A list of approved personnel is
available from the UBSO and the secretary to the GMSC.
Visitors should be accompanied by an approved person who should explain the operation of
the facility.
The outer and inner doors should be locked when personnel are not present in the facility.
The keys to the glasshouse must be kept in a secure place.
The inner door should be closed when workers are in the growing area.
The vestibule area is an important part of the containment strategy. Before entering the
vestibule from outside it is therefore very important to ensure that the inner door is closed.
Check before entering and if the inner door is open communicate with the person(s)
working inside to close the door before you enter.
Make sure you close and lock all doors if you are last to leave the facility.
There is CCTV covering the pathway alongside 4S and the glasshouses, and the path up
towards the pond and Parade, and recordings are kept for 14 days before being overwritten. Security also regularly patrol the area during the evening and night.
Residual risk rating: (3) Moderate x (2) Unlikely = (6) LOW
GM plants/ plant material
on glasshouse users
Glasshouse
users
Consumption by
humans/ contact with
humans.
Slips and Trips
Glasshouse
users
Slipping on floors/
tripping on hazards
Chemicals
Glasshouse
users
Hazardous chemicals
affecting human health
All work must be risk assessed and the nature of the plant species being used will be detailed in
this. All users must read, understand and sign a Risk Assessment for their work before starting.
Any risks to human health will be noted in this Risk Assessment and the methods put in place to
reduce risk will be noted and followed.
 Floors are regularly cleaned with algal-biocide to prevent them becoming slippery.
 Good house-keeping means that clutter is removed.
 A glasshouse technician is employed to ensure best practice.
 All hazardous chemicals to be stored in a chemicals cabinet.
 Instructions on cleaning products containing chemicals should be followed.
Electrical
Glasshouse
users
Electrical shock
Biological
Glasshouse
users
Possible infection.
Manual Handling
Glasshouse
users
Glasshouse
users
Injury to glasshouse
users.
Temperature in hot
weather may cause
discomfort to users.
Environment
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All glasshouse electrical equipment should be PAT tested.
Care should be taken to keep electrical items away from any water sources.
Do a visual inspection before use – if any damage or defects are seen – do not use until
rectified.
Ensure good housekeeping and good hygiene to decrease the risk of microorganisms on the
skin. No eating or drinking is allowed in any of the glasshouses. Hand-washing facilities are
available.
The University Manual Handling guidelines should be followed.
Users should make sure to take regular breaks outside in the fresh air and keep hydrated.
Risk Assessment Guidance
The assessor can assign values for the hazard severity (a) and likelihood of occurrence (b)
(taking into account the frequency and duration of exposure) on a scale of 1 to 5,
then multiply them together to give the rating band:
Hazard Severity
(a)
Likelihood of Occurrence
(b)
Moderate
Serious
Fatal
(eg discomfort, slight bruising, self-help recovery)
(eg small cut, abrasion, basic first aid need)
(eg strain, sprain, incapacitation > 3 days)
(eg fracture, hospitalisation >24 hrs, incapacitation >4 weeks)
(single or multiple)
Minor
Trivial
1 – Trivial
2 – Minor
3 – Moderate
4 – Serious
5 – Fatal
2
3
4
5
1 – Remote
2 – Unlikely
3 – Possible
4 – Likely
5 – Very likely
(almost never)
(occurs rarely)
(could occur, but uncommon)
(recurrent but not frequent)
(occurs frequently)
The risk rating (high, medium or low) indicates the level of
response required to be taken when designing the action plan.
Rating Bands (a x b)
Remote
1
2
4
6
8
10
3
6
9
12
15
Likely
4
8
12
16
20
Very likely
5
10
15
20
25
Unlikely
Possible
LOW RISK
(1 – 8)
MEDIUM RISK
(9 - 12)
HIGH RISK
(15 - 25)
Continue, but
review periodically
to ensure controls
remain effective
Continue, but
implement
additional
reasonably
practicable controls
where possible and
monitor regularly
-STOP THE
ACTIVITYIdentify new
controls. Activity
must not proceed
until risks are
reduced to a low
or medium level