Woking with biological agents

Biological agents

a micro-organism, cell culture, or human endoparasite, whether or not genetically modified, which may cause infection, allergy, toxicity or otherwise create a hazard to human health

Working in the lab

You are at risk of infection You can also infect other workers in the lab Understanding good laboratory practices can save you and others from potential infections

What type of risks

Intentionally working with the agents and increasing the risk of exposure experiments with the infectious viruses

Working with materials that may contain biological agents

Diagnostic work

 whether the agent is pathogenic for humans whether the agent is a hazard to lab workers whether the agent is transmissible to the community whether there is effective treatment or prophylaxis available

Classification of microorganisms into Hazardous agents

Risk Group Description (RG) RG1 Agents that are not associated with disease in healthy adult humans RG2 Agents that are associated with human disease which is rarely serious and for which preventive or therapeutic interventions are often available Agents that are associated with serious or lethal human disease for which preventive or therapeutic interventions may be available (high individual risk but low community risk) Agents that are likely to cause serious or lethal human disease for which preventive or therapeutic interventions are not usually available (high individual risk and high community risk)

RG3

RG4

Biological Safety Cabinets (BScs)

To prevent the worker and the experimental material from potentially infectious material Types I-III

BSC-I
BSC-1 can be used for the general microbiological work and with low or moderate risk agents The material vulnerable to airborne infections C a n sa ve th e w o rke r b u t n o t th e cannot be used exp e riBSC-I lm a te ri l m e n ta a in

BSC-II
A. Front Opening B. Sash C. Exhaust HEPA Filter D. Supply HEPA Filter E. Negative Pressure Exhaust Plenum F. Supply Blower G. Additional HEPA Filter

BSC-II
BSC-II can protect both worker and material from the potential infectious agents They are further divided in to
Type A Type B

Type A Can work in the absence of volatile or toxic chemicals and radionuclides

Type B Can work in the presence of volatile or toxic chemicals and radionuclides

BSC-III
A .Glove Ports with O-ring for attaching armlength gloves to cabinet B. Sash C. Exhaust HEPA Filter D. Supply HEPA Filter E. Double-ended Autoclave or Pass through box

Precautions to control the spread of biological materials

Displaying suitable and sufficient warning signs, including the biohazard sign Putting in place appropriate decontamination and disinfection procedures Putting in place the means for the safe collection, storage and disposal of contaminated waste. Setting out the procedures for working with (and on-site transport of) biological agents or material

Precautions to control the spread of biological materials

Use of personnel protective equipment (PPE) gloves, lab coat, safety glasses, shoes covers, respirators, Not storing any food items in the premises of the lab Eating and drinking should be prohibited in the lab area Remember to wash hands before leaving the lab Properly label each item and if there