New Biosafety Manual
The updated, revised, and highly-anticipated Biosafety Manual is now available! The manual contains helpful information on basic biosafety principles, emergency response, and GT procedures. All labs will need to have a copy of the manual available in their laboratory. This can be on a computer desktop or a printed copy if that is valuable to the lab. Pages 5 & 6 of the manual must be printed out, completed, and placed in the lab binder with other training materials in the laboratory. These pages will be reviewed during your lab inspection.
Biological Hygiene Plan is Retiring
The Biological Hygiene Plan is being replaced by the Biological Risk Assessment. You may start including your Biological Risk Assessment in place of the hygiene plan on your IBC, BMSC, and IACUC submissions today. Starting June 7 you will be required to use the Risk Assessment and Hygiene Plans will no longer be accepted. If you have any questions about this process please email the Biosafety Officer.
Updated Biosafety Signage
The Biosafety team has updated the Biohazardous Spill Poster with slightly different guidance on how to address a spill and with an updated look. We have also developed a No Food/Drink or Flammables sticker for your lab refrigerators and freezers. These new stickers and posters will be available at the ES&T loading dock during shipment pick-ups for the month of March and will also be available to request on EHSA where you request barcodes. Please make sure to take a look at the updated spill guidance!!
Lab Inspections
We will be gearing up for Biological laboratory inspections soon. There are a few things you can do to make sure the process goes as smoothly as possible for your labs.
- Please make sure your laboratory location information is up to date in EHSA (instructions here). Most issues with incorrect locations arise with information associated with old Chem permits.
- Please make sure to schedule a slot on the poll when it gets sent out for your building
- Please conduct the laboratory self-inspection prior to our visit
- Ensure you have completed or reviewed your laboratory Risk Assessment/s
- Consult with your building manager to get rid of any large/bulky items that you no longer need