Biological Safety Manual - University of Florida

The amended regulations addressing the above revisions became effective December 4, 2012 andinclude 7 CFR part 331, 9 CFR part 121 and 42 CFR part 73.Control of BiohazardsContainment or Biosafety Level (BSL) needed for safe work with a particular agent is based oncombinations of: Laboratory practices (SOPs) Engineering Controls Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Administrative policiesFour biosafety levels, BSL-1, 2, 3, 4, are described for activities involving biohazards (BSL-4 projects arenot permitted at UF). The levels are designated in ascending order by degree of protection provided topersonnel, the environment and the community. These four levels describe the combinations of practices,safety equipment, administrative controls, and laboratory facility design/features required. See Table 2 fora summary of these Biosafety Levels and the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories,5 th edition Section IV- Laboratory Safety Level Criteria for a more detailed description.Multiple controls provide sufficient redundancy to maximize safety. The factors considered whendetermining the BSL in which the work with that specific agent should be conducted include: Risk group of an agent Mode of transmission Procedural protocols Experience of staff Other factors1. Classification of human etiologic agents on the basis of hazard can be found in appendix B ofthe NIH Guidelines, and work with an agent is generally conducted at the BSL recommendedfor that agent in Section VIII of the BMBL, 5 th Edition, December 20092. More (or less) stringent practices may be specified by the Biosafety Office and/or theInstitutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) risk assessment review depending on informationsuggesting significant alteration in virulence, pathogenicity, antibiotic resistance patterns,vaccine/treatment availability or other factors,3. Large volumes, high concentrations, or higher risk procedures will dictate an increase in BSL.4. The Biosafety Office or IBC requirements must be adhered to unless new information tojustify a change is provided to the IBC and/or Biosafety Office for review and approval.Laboratory PracticesStrict adherence to standard microbiological practices and techniques is emphasized.Persons working with infectious agents, potentially infectious material, or other biohazards mustnot only be aware of the potential hazards, but also must be trained and proficient in the practicesand techniques required for handling such material safely.The director, principal investigator or supervisor of the laboratory is responsible for the safeconduct of work with any biohazardous agents or materials and providing, or arranging for, theappropriate training of personnel.Each laboratory should develop or adopt a laboratory-specific safety manual that coordinates withthe institution-wide UF Biosafety Manual which identifies the hazards that exist or may beencountered, and specifies the practices and procedures that will be used to minimize oreliminate exposures or releases of these hazards. Consideration should be given not only tonormal operations, but also to practices and procedures to follow in emergency situations.The laboratory director is responsible for implementing additional safety practices commensuratewith the hazards associated with the agent or procedure. Examples include supplemental facilitydesign and engineering features, safety equipment, or administrative controls.32