This policy statement establishes responsibilities for the identification,
classification, and control of biological hazards (biohazards), and use of recombinant DNA
associated with the University's vivaria and research, clinical, and teaching laboratories.
Included are guidelines for students, staff, and faculty with information that is necessary
to comply with regulatory requirements and to protect them and the surrounding community from
possible hazards associated with the use of potentially hazardous biological agents and/or
by-products, and recombinant DNA molecules.
For a more detailed discussion of procedure
and requirements, refer to the University's Biosafety
Manual located
in laboratories conducting biological/recombinant DNA
research and on the Environmental
Health and Safety Web site.
Plants, animals or derived waste which contain or may
contain pathogenic hazards (including xenotransplantation
tissue).
Human and nonhuman primate tissue, body fluid, and cell culture (primary
or continuous).
Administration of hazardous materials to animals.
Other animal tissues and body fluids.
b. Recombinant DNA Molecules Definition
Recombinant DNA molecules include: recombinant
DNA molecules, and organisms and viruses containing recombinant
DNA molecules. Recombinant DNA molecules are defined as
either molecules which are constructed outside living cells
by joining natural or synthetic DNA segments to DNA molecules
that can replicate in a living cell, or DNA molecules that
result from replication of those molecules described above.
It is the University's policy that planning and implementation of control measures
will be a part of every laboratory activity in which hazardous materials are used. Responsibility
for the control of biohazards/recombinant DNA and the safety of employees and the public rests with
the following individuals and groups:
a. Principal Investigators
The primary responsibility for establishing, following, and enforcing rules,
procedures, and methods for the proper control of biohazardous agents, organisms, and recombinant
DNA rests with the principal investigator.
The principal investigator is responsible for seeing that employees are adequately
trained in safety practices. The principal investigator and/or laboratory supervisor is responsible
for correcting work errors, identifying defective work conditions which could result in personal
injury, and developing a positive attitude among employees toward accident prevention.
Each principal investigator is responsible for preparation of a safety plan for
any research under his or her direction, which should include a description of the emergency
procedures to be followed in the event of an accident.
b. Deans, Directors, Chairs, and Organizational Supervisors
Supervisors are responsible for all employees, students, faculty, and visitors in
their areas of control. They must be aware of the hazards of research and approve control methods
used by the principal investigator.
c. The Environmental Health and Safety Department
The Environmental Health and Safety Department
is responsible for evaluating existing and potentially
biohazardous conditions at the University, establishing
safety standards, and providing staff support to the Institutional
Biosafety Committee.
d. The University of Washington Institutional
Biosafety Committee
On January 11, 2002 the Biosafety Committee
and Recombinant DNA Committee merged to become the University
of Washington Institutional Biosafety Committee. This committee
is responsible for advising the Executive Director for
Health Sciences Administration and the Director of EH&S,
in establishing standards, providing consultant services,
reviewing research proposals for compliance with standards,
approving or disapproving these proposals, and recommending
training and education methods for laboratory personnel.
Seattle-King County Biomedical Waste Regulations (including
sharps).
b. Standards for the University's Physical Facilities
Organizational units engaged in biohazardous
activities must ensure that their physical facilities
meet or exceed the requirements described for the safe
handling, storage, and disposal of biohazardous substances
as described in the documents listed above, as well
as the physical standards for University facilities
noted in the current edition of the UW EH&S Laboratory
Safety Design Guide, particularly Chapter 7, "Biosafety
Laboratories,"
and the UW
Facility Design Information Manual,
current edition.
c. Disposal of Biological Wastes
For specific information, refer to the
University's Biosafety
Manual.
Employee Occupational Health requirements and considerations are dependent upon the
biohazards to which the employee may be exposed.
a. Employee Health Services
The Occupational Health Nurses at EH&S
screen written protocols and the Research
Protocol Hazard Assessment form for research
related risks, including those associated with
animals. Specific requirements for personal
and laboratory-based protections are determined
by the potential for exposures to chemical,
biological, or physical hazards. When necessary,
referrals for immunizations and/or other clinically-based
medical services are made to the appropriate
Campus Health Service's Employee Health Clinic,
located at Hall Health Center, the University
of Washington Medical Center, and/or Harborview
Medical Center.
b. Immunization Guidelines
Specific immunizations are required for persons
who have the potential to be exposed to certain biological
agents or to come in contact with certain animals. The
exact immunizations or other measures required are determined
on an individual basis. Consultation on immunization requirements
is arranged through the EH&S Occupational Health Nurse.
c. Serum Banking
Serum banking may be required when there
is potential for exposure to biological agents
or when there is contact with infectious animals.
The UW Institutional Biosafety Committee has
delegated specific serum banking requirements
and decisions to the EH&S Occupational Health
Nurse.
All grant and contract proposals that involve
any use of or exposure to potential biohazards and recombinant
DNA as defined above, must be reviewed by the Institutional
Biosafety Committee prior to submittal to the
granting agency. For prompt committee action, the procedure
for submissions should be reviewed, as outlined in the
University's Biosafety
Manual.
Principal investigators and/or organizational
units engaged in biohazard and/or recombinant
DNA activities must ensure that all laboratory
staff, faculty, students, and employees participate
in training programs appropriate to the potential
biohazard in their unit or laboratory. EH&S provides
training programs that emphasize safe work practices
and precautionary measures which minimize the possibility
of exposure. See the Training page
of the EH&S Web site for specific courses offered.
All investigators, laboratory personnel, and students
subject to potential exposure are expected to participate in the
training programs. In addition, principal investigators must provide
training which supplements the training provided by EH&S and
is specific to the lab and/or subject of study.
