Biological Safety Manual - University of Florida

Other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) are defined as: The following human body fluids: semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid,pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures, any bodyfluid that is visibly contaminated with blood, and all body fluids in situations where it is difficult orimpossible to differentiate between body fluids. Any unfixed tissue or organ (other than intact skin) from a human (living or dead). HIV or HBV-containing cell or tissue cultures, organ cultures, culture medium or other solutions.Blood, organs or other tissues from experimental animals infected with HIV or HBV.ContainmentAs with other biological hazards, combinations of safe work practices, safety equipment, administrativecontrols, and laboratory facility design/features are applied to minimize risks. Biosafety Level 2 isappropriate for work with human blood and OPIM. Should an exposure occur, thorough cleansing of theexposed area followed by immediate medical attention is required. UF has the Needle Stick Hotline (1-866-477-6824) in place for all BBP exposures and evaluates affected employees for treatment and postexposureprophylaxis at the Occupational Medicine Clinic located in room D2-49.UF Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) ProgramTo curb the spread of these diseases in occupational settings, the Occupational Safety and HealthAdministration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) was implemented in 1992.The University of Florida follows this standard to protect staff, students, volunteers, and affiliates withpotential exposure to human blood or OPIM as part of their work or participation in a University program;these individuals are required to participate in the UF Bloodborne Pathogen Program. The University ofFlorida has a university-wide Exposure Control Plan and individual departments have site-specificexposure control plans in place. Laboratory or clinic-specific Standard Operating Procedures are requiredfor work with human blood or OPIM. To facilitate compliance a template is available (see link above).Compliance with the UF Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) program requires initial and annual BBP training,documented hepatitis B vaccination (or documented declination of the vaccine) as well as annual trainingon the proper segregation, handling, and disposal of biomedical waste. The training must be site-specific.To facilitate this, departments have a designated BBP trainer. Contact the Biosafety Office to identify yourdepartmental trainer. For more information on the UF BBP Program, see the Occupational MedicinePrograms section of this manualClinical LaboratoriesClinical laboratories typically receive clinical specimens with requests for a variety of diagnostic andclinical support services. Generally, the infectious nature of clinical material is unknown, and specimensare often submitted with a broad request for microbiological examination for multiple agents (e.g., sputasubmitted for "routine," acid-fast, and fungal cultures). It is the responsibility of the laboratory director toestablish standard procedures in the laboratory that realistically address the issue of the infective hazardof clinical specimens.ContainmentExcept in extraordinary circumstances (e.g., suspected hemorrhagic fever), the initial processing ofclinical specimens and serological identification of isolates can be performed safely at BSL-2, therecommended level for work with bloodborne pathogens such as HBV and HIV. The containmentelements described in BSL-2 are consistent with the OSHA BBP standard. This requires the use ofspecific precautions with all clinical specimens of blood or other potentially infectious material (UniversalPrecautions). Additionally, other recommendations specific for clinical laboratories may be obtained fromthe Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute http://www.clsi.org/. The CDC has also published Guidelinesfor Safe Work Practices in Human and Animal Medical Diagnostic Laboratories; Recommendations of aCDC-convened, Biosafety Blue Ribbon Panel.BSL-2 recommendations and OSHA requirements focus on the prevention of percutaneous and mucousmembrane exposures to clinical material. Primary barriers such as biological safety cabinets should beused when performing procedures that might cause splashing, spraying, or splattering of droplets.Biological safety cabinets also should be used for the initial processing of clinical specimens when the20