An Introduction to Biological Safety

1. An Introduction to Biological Safety Dr. A. Mantalaris Biological Safety Officer (ACE 515, Email: a.mantalaris@ic.ac.uk, Tel: x45601)

2. Biosafety • Definition “any micro-organism, cell culture or human endoparasite, including GM ones, which may cause any infection, allergy, toxicity or otherwise create a hazard to human health • Obligation • Moral • Legal “Imperial College London” Policy • general heath and safety policy • specific policy on GMOs • specific policy on dangerous parasites”

3. Hazard Groups Characterisation based on: a) is it pathogenic; b) is it a hazard to employees; c) is it transmissible; d) is prophylaxis or treatment available? • Group 1 “A biological agent unlikely to cause human disease” • Group 2 “A biological agentthat can cause human disease and may be a hazard to employees; it is unlikely to spread to the community and there is usually effective prophylaxis or effective treatment available” • listeria • streptococcus • Influenza

4. Group 3 “A biological agent that can cause severe human disease and presents a serious hazard to employees; it may present a risk of spreading to the community, but there is usually effective prophylaxis or treatment available” • hepatitis • HIV • Group 4 “A biological agentthat causes severe human disease and is a serious hazard to employees; it is likely to spread to the community and there is usually no effective prophylaxis or effective treatment available” • ebola • Congo haemorrhagic fever

5. Safety Rules • Precautions • consider what you work with • consider what you do with these agents • consider what these can do to you • Approach • COSHH form (biological, GM) • Workspace (suitability, design, labels) • Biological agent (storage, handling, spillage, MDS) • Waste (liquid  disinfection, solid  autoclaving) • Personal protection • Documentation • Training

6. Good Laboratory Practice • Containment Level 1 • Lab should be clean • Effective disinfectants • Lab is mechanically ventilated • Minimisation of aerosol production • Lab door should be closed when working (NOT locked) • Lab coats • Personal Protective Equipment • readily available • clean • not defective

7. No eating, chewing, drinking, smoking, etc • Separate hand washing basin • Waste material should be treated properly • Accidents should be reported • Containment Level 2 • Access to Lab is restricted (signs) • Specified disinfection procedures • Lab is mechanically ventilated (air pressure negative to atmosphere) • Benches must be impervious to water, easy to clean, resistant to acids, solvents, disinfectants • Safe storage for biological agents

8. Microbiological safety cabinet • Access to incinerator for waste disposal • Personal protective equipment • stored in well-defined place • checked and cleaned • repaired or replaced • Adequate working space • Lab doors closed but NOT locked • Lab coats should worn and removed when leaving the Lab • Eating, chewing, drinking, storing food, cosmetics NOT allowed • Mouth pipetting is NOT allowed • Regular decontamination of work space • Lab should contain a wash basin (near the exit door)

9. Decontamination of liquid waste • Autoclaving of solid waste • Safe collection, storage, and disposal of waste • Suitable labelling • All accidents and incidents should be reported ASK FOR ADVICE AND HELP

10. Don'ts • Put gloves in general waste bin • Walk around the department with lab coat and gloves on • Leave spills • Eat or drink in the lab

11. DO!!! • Ask for advice • Do risk assessment • THINK!!!