BIOSAFETY

BIOSAFETY

Biosafety Awareness

BIOSAFETY

What is Biosafety

Where we do Biosafety

Why we do Biosafety Who/what is it protecting

BIOSECURITY

What is Biosecurity

Where we do Biosecurity

Why we do Biosecurity Who/what it is protecting

BIOSAFETY IS: Biosafety are safety measures taken with

respect to the effects of biological research on humans, animals, plants & the environment.

Any thing or environment referred to as Biohazard means it is a biological agent or condition that constitutes a hazard to humans, animal, plants or the environment.

A FOCUS ON THE LABORATORY Laboratory Biosafety

A set of preventive measures designed to reduce the risk of accidental exposure to or release of a biological agent

Laboratory Biosecurity A set of preventive measures to reduce the risk

of intentional removal(theft) and misuse of a biological agent– intent to cause harm

Fundamentally there are risks to working with pathogens and toxins

CLASSIFICATION OF BIOLOGICAL AGENTS

Infectious substances

Diagnostic specimens

WHY BIOSAFETY PRACTICES?

Protection: workers “products” co-workers lab support personnel environment

Biosafety

biological materials Collection Transport Manipulation

Collection, transport & manipulation

Any biological sample may be infectiousand therefore presents a hazard to anyperson handling

during collection during transport during opening and proceeding

Sample Collection

by patients» faeces urine sputum

by medical staff» blood sternal punctureaspiration liquids pus

Precautions during sample collection

Protect collector, colleague, staff... wear gloves, coat, (mask, glasses)

VHF: double gloves, filter-masks, boots dispose needles in special containers,

without re-capping, disinfection (sodium hypochlorite 2.5%), incineration

clean working surfaces (hypochlorite) decontaminate material (hypochlorite 10%)

HIV OR AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME)

35,000 people are infected annually An infected person may carry the virus for

years before symptoms appear No cure and no vaccine at present

HBV OR HEPATITIS Inflammation of the liver - most common

blood borne disease Symptoms range from flu-like to none at

all No symptoms - person is infectious and

can spread the disease Hepatitis infects about Millions of people

around the globe annually

BLOODBORNE DISEASES

HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus causes AIDS - no cure or vaccination

HBV: Hepatitis B virus causes liver disease - vaccination available

Non-A or Non-B Hepatitis Syphilis Malaria

MEANS OF TRANSMISSION - MUST ENTER BODY

HBV, HIV virus present in blood, body fluids

Sexual contact with an infected partner

Sharing infected needles

Accidentally cutting yourself with a sharp object that is contaminated with infected blood, body fluids

Infected blood or body fluid on skin especially with open cuts, sores

Getting contaminated blood or body fluid in eyes, mouth.

GENERAL LAB REQUIREMENTS: SAFETY

Knowledgeable supervisor

Knowledgeable personnel Aware of potential hazardsProficient in practices &

techniques

Lab specific biosafety manual

SPECIAL PRACTICES

Strictly follow guidelines: Demonstrate proficiency Receive appropriate training Report incidents Participate in medical surveillance

BIOSAFETY LEVELS Biosafety Level is a level of laboratory

Biosafety also called biocontainment precautions required to isolate dangerous biological agents in an enclosed facility.

The levels of containment range from the lowest Biosafety level 1 to the highest at level 4. The greater the level the more precautions & care if required for biocontainment.

Biosafety Level 1 ( BSL 1 ) : Dealing with those biological agents which are unlikely to cause disease in healthy humans & are off minimal hazard to the laboratory environment & personnel

Biosafety Levels : Level 1

BSL - 1Agents not known to cause disease:

Bacillus anthracis Naegleria gurberi Infectious canine hepatitis virus Escherichia coli

No Special air handling requirements. Biological Safety Cabinet not required. Separated from public areas. Hand washing sinks. Eyewash Separate hanging areas for outside & lab clothes. Windows that can be opened protected from fly screens. Floors, walls & lab furniture must be washable. No eating or drinking in the laboratory Decontamination of waste by effective disinfectants

Biosafety Level 1 Requirement

Biosafety Level 1 Laboratory

No Eating / Drinking

Hand Wash

LABORATORY SAFETY

Biosafety Level 2 ( BSL 2 ) : Dealing with those pathogens that can cause disease in humans or animals but not a serious hazard; effective treatment is available; limited risk of spread.

Biosafety Levels : Level 2

BSL – 2Agents associated with human

disease*:

Measles Salmonellae Toxoplasma Spp Hepatitis B virus

* Immunization or antibiotic treatment available

BIOSAFETY LEVEL 2 REQUIREMENT

Proper Signs. Doors should be self-closing. Coat hooks for lab coats near exit. Lab located away from public areas, general areas,

patient care areas. Floors, walls & furniture must be impervious for

disinfection. An autoclave must be in or near the lab. Inward directional airflow & negative pressure in

the lab area is recommended. Centrifugation procedures must be contained.

-Class II Biological Safety Cabinet is required for procedures generating aerosols for e.g. for liquid handling, the cabinet should be certified annually & equipped certified HEPA filter which can re-circulate the air.

- All cleaning staff must be aware hazards & precaution.- Decontamination of waste by effective disinfectants- No Eating or Drinking in the laboratory.

Biosafety Level 2 Laboratory

Eye Wash

Proper Signs

Autoclave

Needles & SharpsDon’t touch broken glasses

Biosafety Level 2 Laboratory

BSL - 3Indigenous / exotic agents associated with

human disease and with potential for aerosol transmission:

Mycobacterium tuberculosis St. Louis encephalitis virus Coxiella burnetii

BSL - 4Dangerous / exotic agents of life

threatening nature:

Ebola virus Sin Nombre virus Rift valley fever

SPECIAL PROCEDURES

Decontaminate work surfaces

Report spills and accidents No animals in laboratories

DECONTAMINATION AGENT SELECTION:

Degree of microbial killing required Nature of item/ surface to be treated Ease of use Safety Cost

Sample preparation

Prefer vials such as vacutainers coagulation at room temp. centrifuge carefully avoid aerosols store

– serology: -20 C - 4 C– virology: freeze rapidly– bacteriology: store at room temperature

CENTRIFUGE HAZARD:

Mechanical failure of machine Lab equipment failure (tubes etc.) Aerosol generation Operator error

CONT….

Use safety cups whenever possible Disinfect weekly and after all spills or

breakages Lubricate O- rings and rotor threads weekly Do not use rotors that have been dropped

Check tubes for cracks/ chips. Use matched sets of tubes, buckets

etc. Tightly seal all tubes and safety cups. Ensure that rotor is locked to spindle

and bucket seated. Close lid during operation. Allow to come to complete stop before

opening.

SOLUTIONSEDUCATION

•SENDERS•CARRIERS•RECEIVERS•“EXPERTS”

MONEY•PACKAGING

FLEXIBILITY

PROTECT YOURSELF

Universal Precautions TREAT ALL BLOOD AND BODY FLUIDS AS

POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS. Skin protects from pathogens - cuts, dermatitis,

chapping, small cracks allow germs to enter the body

First aid - use gloves, have as little contact as possible with blood or body fluids

Wash hands with antibacterial soap after contact After contact, flush eyes and face with fresh water

for several minutes

CLEAN-UP AND SAFE HOUSEKEEPING

After an accident, the entire area must be cleaned with disinfectant

Cleaning equipment must be disinfected Wear gloves while cleaning, apron or

goggles if appropriate Restrict access to the area Use disposable towels - dispose of

properly

OTHER EXPOSURE HAZARDS

Cleaning surfaces contaminated with blood,body fluids

ALWAYS wear gloves and protective apron or clothing Be alert for sharp objects, broken glassware, used

syringes in trash Do not pick up broken glass - use brush or broom &

dustpan Dispose of glass, sharp objects safely Laundry - bloody or contaminated linens or sharp

objects

COMMON SENSE RULES

Wash hands & remove protective clothing before eating, drinking, smoking, handling contact lenses, applying lip balm or cosmetics

Keep hands away from eyes, nose, mouth while cleaning

Frequent hand washing is best defense against spreading infection

SUMMARY Protect yourself on and off the

Laboratory- know the facts Practice good personal hygiene Follow work rules, use gloves and

protective clothing Wash your hands often, after work or

exposure Keep areas clean - report problems

immediately to supervisors