Biological
Scope: Queen Mary researchers and students who work in life sciences laboratories and related areas can be at risk from exposure to hazardous biological agents (also termed ‘hazardous micro-organisms’, ‘pathogens’, ‘infectious agents’). These can be viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, or novel infectious agents such as abnormal prions. Some work with hazardous biological agents will be intentional (e.g. by culturing a pathogen) and other work non-intentional, e.g. working with human, animal or environmental material (e.g. blood, cells, tissue samples, clinical samples, soil or water samples), which is likely to contain hazardous micro-organisms although the micro-organisms are not intentionally being grown (termed in these cases as ‘adventitious agents’).
In addition to the general duties under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations, there are provisions which apply to laboratory and related work with hazardous biological agents. The choice of biosafety control measures in laboratories (termed ‘Containment Level’ measures) is largely based on the ‘Hazard Group’ of the biological agent that is being used (or that may be present). These measures also translate to ‘infection control requirements’ applicable in clinical areas.
Biological agents are classified into one of four Hazard Groups from 1 (the lowest, e.g. an attenuated E.coli strains such as K12 derivatives) to 4 (highest, e.g. Ebola, pandemic influenza) based on their ability to infect healthy adults. The classification is set out in the Approved List of Biological Agents with a few hundred known ‘wild type’ pathogens listed. Absence of a listing for an agent does not imply the lowest hazard group, and a risk assessment based on the key principles of classification will need to be completed to identify the classification.
Hazardous biological agents which are genetically modified are covered under specific legislation, and a specific QMUL policy and procedures apply. Please see the GMO topic page for information.
Other considerations: Transport, import, export of hazardous biological agents, GMOs, biological / environmental samples and also certain animal products / by products have specified regulations and permits. Please see Dangerous Goods Transport and Animal By Products (ABP) topic pages for further information.
Key duties of Research Investigators / Head of School or Institute for work with biological agents and materials at QMUL:
1: Carrying out an assessment (using Bio-Safety template in ‘QMUL documents’ below) of the risks to human health (and where applicable, the environment) before any work with biological agents and materials begins. This will include the identification of the hazard group and containment level.
2: Notifying the Biological and GM Safety Committee (BGMSC) of ‘higher risk’ work and gaining approval. See the 'Bio-Safety risk assessment template’ document below for criteria of higher risk work, and arrangements for notification. The Biological Safety Adviser will facilitate regulatory notifications at this point for biosafety and biosecurity.
3: Ensuring effective application of the required containment measures, including those for decontamination and waste disposal. Inspections using these checklists should be conducted.
- Containment Level 1 GMO and wild type organisms Inspection Checklist [DOC 39KB]
- Containment Level 2 Inspection Checklist [DOC 46KB]
- Containment Level 3 Inspection Checklist [DOC 46KB]
4: Ensuring health surveillance is in place for workers, as assessed.
5: Notifying significant changes in higher risk work to the BGMSC.
6: Report accidents and incidents relating to work with biological agents via the accident and incident reporting system
7: Ensuring staff, students and others involved in the work receive the appropriate training.
Policy
Working with Biological Agents Policy
Procedures and Guidance
Procedures for working with biological agents and materials.
COVID-19 Human Samples Procedures and Guidance
COVID-19 Phlebotomy Procedures and Guidance
Working Safely with Vaccinia Virus
Laboratory Chemical Solvent Biological Spill_Emergency Protocol
CL3 Lone Working Check and Assist Procedure_Redacted Version
Sterilisation and Disinfection Part 2 - Disinfection
Biological agent health surveillance and exposure procedures
Mpox Health Surveillance and Exposure Incidents - Laboratory Workers
Blood Borne Viruses Health Surveillance Emergency Procedures
Tuberculosis Health Surveillance and Emergency Procedures
Vaccinia Virus Health Surveillance and Emergency Procedures
Forms and checklists
Bio Safety Risk Assessment - Notifiable
Bio Safety Risk Assessment - Notifiable - Guidance
Safe Handling of Coronaviruses Risk Assessment Guidance
Biosafety Risk Assessment_Non-notifiable
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 (as amended)
- Specified Animal Pathogen Order (SAPO) 2008
- Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2014
- The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009
- Animal By Products (Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2013
- Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act (ATCSA) 2001
- HSE Biosafety Website
Further information
- Decontamination and Sterilisation
- Laboratory Hazardous Waste
- Biological & Genetic Modification Safety Committee
- Training Courses provided by HSD
For Advice and Assistance at QMUL, contact the H&S Manager / Advisor for your Faculty / PS or the subject lead at http://www.hsd.qmul.ac.uk/contact-us/
All H&S staff can be contacted via the help desk at hs-helpdesk@qmul.ac.uk
