Laboratory Personnel - Biological
Resources and trainings are separated into the type of lab or hazards associated with each type of lab. Find the category that best matches your lab and associated hazards.
Laboratory Safety (initial)
OSHA required training for anyone working in a chemical laboratory: including principle investigators, lab employees, research technicians, teaching assistants and graduate students. Chemical hygiene principles, spill prevention, hazardous waste management, and fire safety are discussed.
Laboratory Safety (refresher)
Required annually for all laboratory personnel. Department or group specific training is encouraged and can be arranged.
Trainings
Animal Biosafety Level II/III
Required training for employees prior to work in a BSL II/III laboratory. BSL laboratory design, primary and secondary barriers, biological agents, and safe laboratory practices will be discussed.
Biosafety Level I
Recommended for individuals working in labs with defined and characterized strains of viable microorganisms not know to consistently cause disease in healthy adult humans. Standard microbiological practices, safety equipment, and facilities requirements are reviewed.
Biosafety Level II/III
Required training for employees prior to work in a BSL II/III laboratories. Includes Blood Borne Pathogens Training, BSL laboratory design, primary and secondary barriers, biological agents, and safe laboratory practices.
Blood Borne Pathogen (BBP) Training
OSHA required training for all employees (part and full-time) when occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials may occur. Spill clean-up, exposure control plans, common blood borne pathogens, and personal protective equipment (PPE) are discussed.
Hantavirus Awareness
Required training for individuals that may be exposed to rodents or rodent excreta. This course provides information on the virus and recommendations for exposure prevention.
Resources
Anthrax
Anthrax is a disease caused by exposure to bacterial spores. There are three types of anthrax: pulmonary (or inhalational), dermal, and gastrointestinal. Anthrax has typically been a disease of concern for agricultural workers; another name for it is Woolsorters disease. It is presently a concern as a biological weapons agent.
EH&S provides awareness training and can provide guidance regarding suspicious packages. The university police can also provide guidance and coordinate responses to such packages or letters.
Biological Spill Guidelines & Procedures
Planning for Spills
The consequences of any spill of biological material can be minimized by performing all work on plastic-backed absorbent liner to absorb spills. A simple spill kit should be readily available and should include the following items:
- Chlorine bleach or some other concentrated disinfectant
- Package or roll of paper towels
- Autoclavable bag
- Latex or Nitrile gloves
- Forceps for picking up broken glass
- Biohazard Bag(s)
Biological Waste Guidelines & Procedures
In the development of cures and therapies to diseases, research must involve the disease-causing pathogen. Specimens may come from human, animal or in-situ hosts. Throughout the research process, biological specimens containing pathogenic material must not be released to the environment.
Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan
Exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials can pose a risk of infection with bloodborne pathogens such as the Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B and HIV viruses. The bloodborne pathogens program provides oversight and compliance assistance to ensure employees safely work with blood and other pathogenic materials.
For employees who can reasonably be expected to have such exposure as part of their job responsibilities, it is required that they be given the appropriate training and offered the Hepatitis B vaccination. EH&S can provide assistance in selecting safer syringes and other medical devices to minimize the chance of a needlestick injury and evaluate any accidents involving sharps.
Additional Resources
Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure Plan Template
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a common chemical used in many laboratories as a preservative and disinfectant. It is also a strong irritant, skin sensitizer and potential carcinogen.
Anyone working in a laboratory where formaldehyde is used must complete the formaldehyde awareness training sponsored by the EHS Office. The EHS Office also provides a written template that can be easily modified to each particular laboratory to assist with the requirement for each formaldehyde user to implement a written control plan. Where formaldehyde is used, air monitoring must be done to determine employee exposure levels. Labs that have not been tested should contact EHS for free sampling.