Biological Laboratory Survey Criteria
Laboratory safety surveys are conducted on a routine basis
in all of the biomedical research and clinical laboratories
using biological agents. The focus of the surveys is to ensure
compliance with a number of general safety, biological safety,
and chemical safety compliance issues. The Environmental Health
and Safety (EH&S) department takes a proactive approach to
compliance problems found in the laboratories and in most cases
facilitates the corrective action process. Follow-ups are conducted
periodically to ensure that corrective actions have taken place.
The following outlines the biological safety laboratory survey
criteria and references the specific guidelines.
Biological Agents
Biohazards are a concern in laboratories in which microorganisms or material
contaminated with them is handled. These hazards are usually present in clinical
and infectious disease research laboratories, but may also be present in
any laboratory in which bodily fluids or tissues of humans or animal origin
are handled. Identify what biological agents are being used, agent infectiousness,
and does the research include the use of recombinant DNA (rDNA). Identify
any animals being used in the research.
Current Institutional Biosafety Committee Approval
Each
laboratory PI using potentially infectious biological materials
must be approved by EH&S to ensure proper facilities,
containment, and procedures are in place to prevent laboratory
acquired illness or infection. In addition, the use
of all biosafety safety level 2 or higher organisms as defined
by the CDC/NIH BMBL must be reviewed and approved by the Institutional
Biosafety Committee (IBC) prior to the initiation of work. Approvals
are reviewed on an annual basis, and renewal with the committee
is required every five years. Changes to biosafety approvals
must be submitted in writing to EH&S and IBC (if necessary).
[UTHSC-H Biological Safety Manual (pdf)]
Biohazard Warning Signs Posted
Areas where
human blood or other potentially infectious materials are stored
or used must bear the universal biohazard symbol. Researchers
working with or storing biosafety level 2 or higher organisms
should also utilize the universal biohazard warning. Appropriate
locations for biohazard signs include laboratory entrance,
incubator, refrigerator, waste containers, and any other equipment.
[Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories p.
14, 20]. Additionally, all biohazard
warning signs must state what biological agent is being used
on the posting at the laboratory entrance.
All applicable binders/manuals available
Safety manuals available (Biological Safety manual, Disposal Guide, Laboratory
Specific Written Procedures). Every laboratory using hazardous chemicals,
radioactive, or biological hazards must have a copy of the respective Laboratory
Safety binder/manual in the lab or otherwise readily available. Thoroughly
review all applicable safety manuals with laboratory staff. [OSHA 29CFR 1910.1450
(e) (2)]
Personal Protective Equipment Available
Protective
clothing available (lab coat, scrubs, latex gloves, eye glasses,
mask or respirator, etc) and worn when appropriate during procedures
that require protection. Lab coats
not only protect street clothing from being soiled, they also
provide an additional layer of splash and burn protection and
help protect family members by reducing take-home toxins. [OSHA
29CFR 1910.132 (a); Prudent Practices in the Laboratory p.
131-132]
Hand Washing Facilities Available
When working
in areas where infectious organisms are routinely handled,
it is good laboratory practice to wash your hands on a regular
basis, specifically after every change of gloves. All
laboratories should have a hand washing facility available
and in working condition, with soap present.
Aerosol Minimization Techniques in Place
Care
should be taken at all times when working with procedures that
could potentially create aerosols containing infectious organisms.
Always use caution when spraying disinfectants in the laboratory
as not to create aerosols when applied on infectious organisms,
especially large spills. Safety
centrifuge cups should be used when centrifuging, and should
be opened in a biological safety cabinet. Aerosol producing
procedures such as pipetting and mixing of materials should
be performed in a biological safety cabinet or behind a protective
shield to minimize splash risk.
Biosafety cabinets certified within past year
Biosafety cabinet certification by a National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) certified
company when installed or moved, and annually thereafter. The biosafety cabinet's
(BSC) ability to filter out microscopic particles relies on the seals being
intact and the HEPA filter free of micro tears or breaks that can easily
occur during moving, installation or careless handling. To ensure continued
proper operation, each BSC should be tested and certified at least annually.
[CDC/NIH Primary Containment for Biohazards: Selection, Installation and
Use of Biological Safety Cabinets p. 29; NRC Biosafety in the Laboratory
p. 26]
Biological Waste
Common methods for biological waste include chemical disinfection and autoclaving.
Most biological liquid waste may be disinfected for a minimum of fifteen
and then poured down the drain. Be sure to use an EPA approved disinfectant
such as 10% bleach or 70% ethanol. Solid waste may be stored in a solid rigid
container, but be sure that the container is properly labeled and it is decontaminated
before disposal or autoclaving. Observe that all biological waste is stored
in secondary containment. Be sure that a suitable receptacle is available
for disposing used pipettes. Be sure to properly maintain an autoclave
log for your waste. [Prudent Practices in the Laboratory p. 151]
Appropriate sharps container in use
Contaminated sharps include needles, scalpels, broken capillary tubes, exposed
dental wires, and broken glass if contaminated with human blood or other
potentially infectious material. These items must be collected in a sharps
box or other puncture resistant container that is color coded or labeled
with the universal biohazard symbol. [OSHA 29CFR 1910.1030 (b), (d) (2) (viii)]
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