Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) 2002
Risk Assessment – Biological Risks (RA2)
Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences
1.0 Document Reference Nr: ………………..
Legislation requires that risks associated with the handling of biological agents are assessed and significant findings
recorded in writing.
Postdoctoral, postgraduates or senior technical staff may complete the form but the responsibility for ensuring that
the risk assessment is completed and checked lies with the academic supervisor.
Assessed by: _______________________________
Checked by: ___________________________
E-mail address: _____________________________
E-mail address: ________________________
Signature: _________________________________
Signature: _____________________________
Date: _____________________________________
Date __________________________________
3.0 Brief description of work: It is only necessary to give broad outlines of the components of the activity
covered by the risk assessment. (eg, size of group, location, level of supervision, nature of work)
4.0
Name of Biological Agent(s)/Microorganism(s): _________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Synonym if any: ___________________________________________________________________
5.0 HAZARD. When categorizing individual pathogens, the ACDP uses the definition of hazard as the inherent
danger associated with a particular organism. However, a wider definition has now been published. This is the
disposition of a thing, a condition or a situation to produce injury; or an event, sequence of events or
combination of circumstances which could potentially have adverse consequences.
Define the hazard and its potential harm explicitly stating any essential assumptions made, in terms of the
pathogenic organism and the circumstances in which harm may be expected.
Such a definition will possibly require consideration of several questions including:
Where does the hazard occur? (air/water/food/blood).
If relevant what is the life cycle of the organism? (vectors/alternative hosts/ etc)
What is the route of transmission?
Does secondary transmission occur?
How frequently does infection give rise to clinical disease?
What are the short-term and long-term consequences? (sero-conversion/ illness /death)
What are the prevention strategies?
5.1
5.2
Name the Biological agent(s) to be used in this activity.
Categorize each of the biological agent(s) in the Table below ie 1, 2, 3 or 4
HAZARD RATINGS
5.1 Name of biological agent
RISK AND COSHH ASSESSMENT FORM FOR BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS
IBLS SAFETY COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 2004
5.2 ACDP Category
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) 2002
Risk Assessment – Biological Risks (RA2)
6.0 RISK. This is the probability that a specified hazard will be realised. The expression of risk should take into
account not only the probability of harm occurring but also its potential seriousness.
What is the probability of the hazard being expressed? Decide whether or not the biological agent(s) as
used in the procedure presents a Low, Medium or High Risk to the user:
What are the biological risks and any special circumstances which may exclude a person from carrying
out the activity? Tick the appropriate boxes.
Risk to user
The biological
agent/microorganism could
cause an infection
in an individual
The biological
agent/microorganism produces
a soluble toxin
The biological
agent/microorganism may
induce cancer
Worker may be
undergoing
treatment/therapy
Worker may be
allergic to materials
used in the
procedure
Worker may be
atopic
The biological
agent/microorganism may
endanger the foetus
in pregnant women
Low
Medium
High
Other special
provisions which
may increase risk
Low
Medium
High
7.0
Routes by which exposure to the biological agent / microorganism present a risk to health, if
control measures are not adopted. Tick the relevant boxes.
Contact
with or bite
from
infected
animal
8.0
Penetration or
absorption through
skin or cut in skin
Direct
splash
contact with
eyes
Inhalationof
aerosol containing
biological agent /
micro-organism
Oral selfinoculation
What could be the effect of exposure to the above biological agent/microorganism, if control
measures are not adopted? Tick the relevant boxes.
Single acute
exposure
Serious - requires
immediate medical
attention
Serious - may
require treatment
Unknown
Repeated low
exposure
Serious - may
require treatment
Not serious
Unknown
Short-term
Unknown
Duration of adverse Long-term
effect
9.0
Accidental
parenteral
inoculation via
needle stab.
GENERAL CONTROL MEASURES: What control measures are appropriate to contain the
substances where the risks are either medium or high? Describe the precautions to be taken to
reduce this level of risk.
RISK AND COSHH ASSESSMENT FORM FOR BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS
IBLS SAFETY COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 2004
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) 2002
Risk Assessment – Biological Risks (RA2)
9.1
9.11
Where is the work to be done? If parts of the work cannot be done on the open bench with good
aseptic technique please specify whether these stages will be carried out in a microbiological safety
cabinet [ ] or in specialised containment rooms [ ].
Location [room number and building] ______________________________________________
9.2
What protective equipment is required? Specify what is required and when this needs to be worn:
Note - Laboratory overalls or coats must be worn in all IBLS Laboratories. Gloves [ ], Mask [ ],
Safety glasses [ ] Visor [ ], Respirator [ ], Other [ ] - please specify: ................................................
9.3
What arrangements are needed to provide workers with the information to carry out the
procedure safely?
Routine procedure described by trained staff [ ]
Simple verbal instructions [ ]
Written scheme of work [ ] either summarise below in 10.0 or give reference to an attached document
9.4
How are training and supervision of personnel to be provided?.
Supervisor will arrange for initial training [ ]
Specify whether there is a need for direct supervision during one or more stages of the work [ ]
Specific training courses are required [ ]
9.5
What are the implications for other people?
The following people may need to have a copy of this RISK/ COSHH assessment and sign the
declaration:
Academic staff [ ]
Postgraduates [ ]
Undergraduates [ ]
Technical staff [ ]
Secretaries
[ ]
Cleaners [ ]
Visiting staff [ ]
Maintenance staff [ ]
Contractors [ ]
9.6
Is a vaccine available?
YES [ ]
Specify ...........................................
NO [ ]
If YES, are workers encouraged to be vaccinated?
YES [ ] NO [ ]
9.7
9.71
Emergency procedures
Are written emergency instructions provided at the place of work
YES [ ]
Specify ...........................................
Not required [ ]
9.72
Are disinfectants provided for neutralising accidental spills of the biological agent?
YES [ ]
Specify ...........................................
NO [ ]
9.73
Is the location of the following known: safety shower [ ], shower room [ ], eye-wash bottles [ ],
antiseptic hand-washing fluid [ ] First-Aid box [ ]. Tick as appropriate.
9.74
Is biological monitoring of workers required?
YES [ ] NO [ ]
9.75
Is monitoring for air-borne contaminant required?
YES [ ] NO [ ]
10
Do the precautions above adequately control the risks of handling the micro-organism/ biological
agent specified? YES [ ] NO [ ]
If no, please specify below the additional precautions required.
11
Inactivation of biological agents/microorganisms will be done by one of the following methods
(consult the Divisional Safety Adviser if in doubt).
Exposure of liquids containing the microorganism / biological agent to an appropriate
disinfectant at a known cidal concentration. For Category 2 work all liquids containing the
agent need to be autoclaved.
Collection of inoculated petri-dishes, closed with clear tape to prevent lid from falling off,
and culture flasks for autoclaving
Collection of all contaminated plastics for autoclaving
Collection of contaminated sharps in a CinBin for incineration.*
RISK AND COSHH ASSESSMENT FORM FOR BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS
IBLS SAFETY COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 2004
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) 2002
Risk Assessment – Biological Risks (RA2)
Collection of clinical waste in a yellow bag for onward transmission via the university to a
registered company*
To normal laboratory waste collection, after rendering safe by autoclaving
Tick appropriate boxes.
* Note there is a cost involved for this service.
Specify any other disposal method required ............................................................................................................
ACGM approval for genetic manipulation (list and attach a copy of the forms)
YES [ ] NO [ ]
Radioisotope permission
YES [ ] NO [ ]
RISK AND COSHH ASSESSMENT FORM FOR BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS
IBLS SAFETY COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 2004
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) 2002
Risk Assessment – Biological Risks (RA2)
ACCREDITATION OF RISK & COSHH ASSESSMENT
Document Ref nr: ………………………………………….
Title of activity: __________________________________________________________________________
A
B
Name of Assessor: ___________________
Checked by: ___________________________
Signature of Assessor: ________________
Signature: _____________________________
Date: ______________________________
Date: _________________________________
I have received a copy of this Risk and COSHH Assessment for Biological agents and understand
the risks and the measures which must be taken to control such risks.
NAME (please print)
SIGNATURE
DATE
Review dates: When this assessment is reviewed, add below the signature of the reviewer, the date, and
whether the assessment was changed. Any signatories still covered by a modified assessment must then sign
again to show that they are aware of the change.
RISK AND COSHH ASSESSMENT FORM FOR BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS
IBLS SAFETY COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 2004