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- Biological Safety & Compliance
Biological Safety & Compliance
The Biological Safety Program is designed to minimize the risk of lab-acquired illness and ensure proper containment for activities utilizing biohazardous materials. A laboratory where biohazardous materials are used or stored must comply with the requirements listed below to ensure compliance with Federal and State regulations.
Personnel Access: WCU Health and Safety manuals and resources are updated annually. It is recommended that lab supervisors provide means for electronic access in the laboratory rather than printing the documents whenever possible.
Signature Acknowledgement: Documentation that personnel have read the required manuals must be retained by the PI or Supervisor and be available for inspection during a laboratory audit.
Documentation |
Purpose |
Update Required |
| Autoclave SOP | Documents safe use & emergency procedures for autoclave sterilization. | Updated as necessary to reflect changes in procedures and after unit relocation. |
| Biological Agent Inventory Excel Template |
An updated inventory of all biological organisms used or stored in the laboratory should be maintained by the laboratory PI. | Current inventory must be submitted to the Safety and Risk Management Office annually. |
| Biological Safety Manual | Guidelines for the safe storage and handling of biological materials. | Current Biological Safety Manual must be available to personnel working in a BSL 2 lab at all times. |
| Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Program | Policies and guidelines for the safe storage and handling of human blood, body fluids, cell lines, unfixed tissue, or other potentially infectious material (OPIM). | Current Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan must be available to personnel with exposure to human blood or OPIM. |
| BSL-2 SOP Standard Operating Procedure |
Documents safe handling & emergency procedures for high risk work involving BSL-2 organism(s). | Updated as necessary to reflect changes in materials or procedures and after a laboratory move. |
| Chemical Safety Compliance | Guidelines for the safe storage and handling of hazardous chemicals. | WCU's current CHP must be available to personnel at all times. |
| IBC Review | Research involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules (rDNA) or Select Agents must receive WCU Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) approval prior to initiation of the study. | Proposals for any rDNA research must be submitted to WCU's Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) prior to initiation of the study and when required for periodic review. |
| Laboratory Inspections | Document compliance with laboratory safety policies and recommended safe lab practices. | Self-inspections should be conducted by lab personnel annually using the Lab Inspection Checklist or BSL-2 Checklist. |
| Laboratory Registration | Documents emergency contact information and types of hazards in the workspace. Door signs are posted outside of the lab to indicate registration status. | Registered initially and updated when new hazards are introduced, the lab relocates, or an additional space is occupied by the same PI. |
| Laboratory Safety Signs | Posted on equipment and entry doors to the area to caution personnel on the hazards present. | Must be posted at all times to caution personnel on worplace hazards. |
| PPE Hazard Assessment | Evaluates the workspace and identifies the type of personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary to perform the job task(s). | Submit the assessment initially and at any time in the future when tasks and PPE requirements change. |
