Biosafety
The university through the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) reviews and authorizes research with recombinant DNA and hazardous biological materials. EHS also reviews and assists researchers by inspecting laboratories with compliance with federal and state requirements for biological research including the NIH rDNA Guidelines and the CDC/NIH Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL). EHS provides biosafety training and also manages the university’s biological waste disposal program.
Researchers conducting biological research are required to:
- Register their protocol with the IBC
- Prepare a biosafety manual
- Complete appropriate biosafety training
- Correct all deficiencies identified during their annual biosafety inspection
- Ensure their biosafety cabinets are certified annually
Questions or more information: Contact the Biosafety Officer at 471-3511
Documents/Policies
- Institutional Biosafety Manual (PDF)
- Biosafety Manual Templates for Researchers: BSL-1 Template (Word), BSL-2 Template (Word)
- Biosafety Inspection Checklist (PDF)
- Human Cell Line Policy
- Lentivirus Reference Sheet (PDF)
- Viral Vector Safety Guidance
- Viral Vector Downgrade Policy (PDF)
Bloodborne Pathogens
Researchers who work with human and non-human primate’s fluids, tissues or cells (including cell lines) are required to take Bloodborne Pathogen training (OH 218) and be offered Hepatitis B vaccination free of charge by the University. Contact OHP for information on the Hepatitis B vaccination.
Animals
- Animal Biosafety Levels (PDF), from CDC
- Cage Changing Guidance (PDF)
- Working with Human Xenografts (PDF)
- Working with Wild Rodents (PDF)
- Containment Policy
- Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
- Working at Animal BSL1 (Flash Video)
- Working at Animal BSL2 (Flash Video)
- Working at Animal BSL3 (Flash Video)
- Overview of Risk Assessment and Risk Management in Laboratory Animal Biosafety (Windows Media Player, 6.3MB)
- Zoonotic Fact Sheet (PDF, 480KB)
Select Agents and Toxins
Research involving select agents and toxins is regulated by the CDC and USDA. (LINK) A list of these agents can be found at (LINK) Researchers must notify EHS (Responsible Official) before working with Select Agent or Toxins. Work with exempt quantities of select toxins is overseen by the IBC. Researchers that work with exempt quantities of select toxins must complete an annual self-evaluation.
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Exempt Select Toxins Policy (PDF)
- Annual Self-Evaluation for Exempt Select Toxins (PDF)
- Select Agent Disease Fact Sheet (PDF, 368KB)
Equipment and Materials
- Centrifuges
- Disinfectants (CDC)
- Biosafety Cabinets
- Sharps Safety Poster (PDF)
- Vacuum Pumps/Lines
- Lab Coat Laundering
- Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs)
Training Modules for Biological Research
All training is online except for OH 102, which is taught by the Principal Investigator.
Researchers must complete OH 101, 102, 201, 202 and 207 at a minimum.
- OH 101: Hazard Communication
- OH 102: Site Specific Hazard Communication
- OH 201: Laboratory Safety
- OH 202: Hazardous Waste Management
- OH 207: Biological Safety
- OH 218: Bloodborne Pathogens
- OH 601: Dry Ice Shipping
- CW 512: NIH rDNA Guidelines
Additional Training/Presentations
- CDC Guidelines for Biosafety Laboratory Competency (PDF)
- Human Xenografts in Animals (PDF)
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute Biosafety Training Modules:
- Biosafety Cabinets (Video, EID required)
- Disinfection Practices for Tissue Culture
- General Microbiology Fact Sheet (PDF, 3.5MB)
- Principles of Good Microbiological Practice Fact Sheet (PDF, 135KB)
- Principles of Biosafety Fact Sheet (PDF, 56KB)
Biological Waste
Shipping
Researchers shipping infectious substances or shipping biological material with dry ice must be certified to ship by EHS. Certification requires training by EHS. If you are shipping an infectious substance and are not trained, contact EHS for training or assistance with shipping. If you are shipping biological materials with dry ice, you can take our online training class to become certified.
