National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology Safelab II Basic Biological Safety Robert O’Connor...

National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology

Safelab IIBasic Biological Safety

Robert O’Connor Ph.D

DCU Biological Safety Advisor

[email protected]


What is biosafety?

Biosafety - safety measures taken with respect to the effects of biological research on humans, animals, plants and the environment

Keeping you and others safe from biological hazards and meeting statutory requirements


Causes of biological diseases

All organisms (esp animals and humans) are incubators for disease-causing organisms

Viruses HIV, Hepatitis

Bacteria Tetanus, TB Toxins of bacteria – Tetanus toxin

Fungi Aspergillus, Candida Toxins of fungi (mycotoxins –aflatoxin)

Parasites Malaria (plasmodium)

Prions – CJD Infectious proteins Allergies – allergies to animal products


Classification of biohazards

Biosafety level 1 Environmentally common, low individual and community

risk and are highly unlikely to cause disease in healthy workers or animals – E.Coli

BSL2 Hazardous only through unusual exposure, self limiting

disease, non-contagious and treatable – Anthrax, Candida, Hepatitis, HIV

BSL3 Known to cause serious human or animal disease, or which

can result in serious economic consequences but limited contagion- Avian Influenza, TB

BSL4 Fatal human or animal disease, untreatable, and very

contagious (Marburg, Ebola)


Additional considerations

Certain practices –e.g. cultivation, may increase biosafety requirements

Aside from safety, some organisms require extra security precautions – bioterrorism

Ethical requirements for human material Transport Legislative/regulatory restrictions Disposal

Each BS level has mandated laboratory requirements Laboratory design Training PPE Security


How are we exposed to biohazards?

Contact with human products – inc blood, saliva, urine, tissue

Contact with Humans!! Contact with animals and their products – zoonoses &

allergies Contact with human/animal cells/microbes


How can these things cause disease

Organism must get onto/into body in sufficient amount and begin to grow

Mechanisms Ingestion Inhalation - aerosol Puncture wounds –needles/glass ware Direct contact Mucous membranes –esp eyes and nose


Protective measures

Training and knowledge Facilities appropriate to hazard

Biosafety cabinets Sealed centrifuge rotors Containment

Appropriate labelled storage Good practice Never eating near samples/lab environment Appropriate vaccination (e.g. tetanus, hepatitis, TB) Avoid sharps Appropriate waste handling (labelling, autoclaving, incineration)


Some standard lab points

Lab coat Wash hands before leaving Wear safety glasses –ALWAYS Cover cuts/abrasions Wear gloves where appropriate Have an appropriate spill containment/treatment

procedure Appropriate local and national/international transport

procedures

Don’t forget other hazards – chemical, physical etc.


Legislation I

Biological safety is covered in general and specific terms in the Health and Safety at Work acts

These ascribe individual and “corporate” responsibilities.

Transport of samples covered by certain regulations University has general HSA authorisation for BSL1

Activities University has BSL2 approvals but additional

notification required Faculty - Biosafety overseen by Faculty Biological

Safety Committee


GMOs

GMOs- genetically modified organisms Animals, cells, bacteria and viruses which are

modified by some direct genetic means

Cell lines transfected or transduced Transgenic animals Genetically Modified Microbes (GMM)


Legislation II

Any generation, use or storage of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) is additionally covered by separate National and EU legislation

Overseen by EPA

BSL I Activities - general notification BSL II Require specific license BSL III Require special license. All GMOs must be stored in specific lab conditions,

inventory and stringent reporting conditions exist EPA frequently inspect


Summary

Remember Always wear PPE Take active measures appropriate to the hazard – e.g.

vaccination Report any problems/exposure Inactivate hazardous material Bear in mind security, cleaners, couriers, colleagues

Caution if work with animals/animal products, humans, testing on animal/human products, cancer cells or microbes


Some Relevant links

Vaccination policyhttp://www.dcu.ie/safety/policies.shtml

Faculty H&S informationhttp://www.dcu.ie/science_and_health/safety_info.shtml

EPA GMO info & legislationhttp://www.epa.ie/downloads/legislation/geneticallymodifiedorganismsgmo/

HSA guidance on biological agentshttp://www.hsa.ie/eng/FAQs/Biological_Agents/

National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology Safelab II Basic Biological Safety Robert O’Connor...

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