Biological Laboratory Safety
Additional Information
Where to start
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Before looking at
this presentation,
ensure that you
have watched the
one on General
Laboratory Safety
What are the additional hazards from
using Biological Materials?
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Infectious agents
Toxins
Prions
Bacteria
Viruses
What legislation applies?
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The main pieces of
legislation are:
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Genetically Modified
Organisms (Contained
Use) Regulations 2000
Control of Substances
Hazardous to Health
Regs 2004
Each will be summarised
separately
Control of Substances Hazardous to
Health Regs 2004
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Four Hazard Groups
No hazard group 4 (highest
risk) work in Sheffield
Work on hazard group 3
requires special training and
Level 3 containment facilities
Risk assessments to be
submitted to local LGMSC for
scrutiny for all GM work and
work with dangerous
pathogens
Appropriate waste segregation
required
Genetically Modified Organisms
(Contained Use) Regulations 2000
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All work to be risk assessed
using the HSE risk assessment
form and be submitted to the
Local Genetic Modification Safety
Committee before work starts
Approval & notification
procedures
Workers to submit health
declarations to Occupational
Health
Appropriate waste segregation
Protective Clothing
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An appropriate laboratory coat
must always be worn, fastened
up and covering all normal
clothing
Lab coats must be
decontaminated before
laundering
Appropriate eye protection must
be worn
Gloves must be worn for work
and must be removed when
handling taps, note books etc and
before leaving the laboratory
Blood & bodily fluids
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Use screened animal blood,
rather than human blood if
possible
Failing this use only screened
human blood
All blood and bodily fluids should
be considered potentially
infectious and treated with due
care
Injuries involving body fluids
must be reported to your
supervisor IMMEDIATELY
Spillages
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Report
Wear protective clothing
Clean up
Decontaminate – ensure
that you always have
material available to do so
Ensure waste is disposed
of properly
You spill = you clean up!
Laminar Flow Cabinets
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Laminar flow
cabinets are
designed to provide a
clean-air
environment to
protect the work
They DO NOT provide
protection for the
operator
Biological Safety Cabinets
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Class 1
 Some protection to user &
environment
 No protection to work
Class 2
 Good protection to user, the
environment and the work
Class 3
 Total enclosure
You must choose the correct
safety cabinet for the job you
are doing. Seek advice from
your Biological Safety Officer
Autoclaves
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Potentially dangerous
equipment
Require regular
maintenance and an
annual statutory
examination
Discard autoclaves
must be calibrated
every 6 months
You must be trained to
use them
Disposal of Waste
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Make sure you follow
the University policy
carefully
Ask your supervisor or
a senior member of
technical staff if you
do not know the
correct disposal
method for the
materials with which
you are working
When in doubt – ASK!!!
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Do not carry out a
new or unfamiliar
procedure until
you have been
fully trained &
understand the
precautions
necessary for safe
working
DO NOT GUESS!!!!