Biological materials are used and cultured in many laboratory procedures. The presence of bacteria, viruses and fungi present potential health hazards to individuals using the material and requires specific disposal methods to render the materials noninfectious.

The Biological Safety office addresses employee safety, training, policies and other concerns regarding occupational exposure to biological agents and materials.

The EVMS Biosafety Manual is the primary source of information on biosafety at the school. It contains guidance on containment, disposal procedures and laboratory handling procedures for organisms in Biosafety Levels (BSL) I through IV. EVMS currently has facilities for BSL 1 and 2. The Biosafety Manual combines the guidelines from the CDC's Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL), 5th ed., and the NIH's Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules.

Institutional Biosafety Committee

Investigators proposing to use the following materials or procedures may require authorization from the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

• Recombinant DNA & RNA
• Human or animal pathogens
• Laboratory-induced infections of a human or animal pathogen
• Human tissues and/or cells
• All other tissues and/or cells
• Studies referred by IACUC or IRB

Registrations are done on a per lab/Principal Investigator basis, not by project, on the BioRAFT System (https://evms.bioraft.com).The Biological Safety Officer (BSO) is available to help Principal Investigators register their laboratories, as well as help with any other aspect of the system (such as forms, equipment registration, etc.). Additional information about the IBC and its procedures are published by the Office of Research.

Protocols that include evaluation of blood and blood components in clinical laboratories are also subject to procedures described in the EVMS Exposure Control Plan. This plan incorporates OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, 29 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1030, regarding transmission of HIV and HBV by blood and other potentially infectious materials.

IBC: PI Satisfaction Survey

Training

Trainings required of research laboratory personnel are contained in the BioRAFT System. These trainings are:

• Biological Safety in the Laboratory
• Autoclave Safety
• Shipping Biological Materials

For clinical and temporary laboratory personnel, there are several courses available on Blackboard (http://evms.blackboard.com/) including

• Autoclave: Use & Safety
• Biosafety in the Clinical Laboratory
• Biological and Infectious Materials Shipping
• Laboratory Safety for Temporary Personnel

For classroom training sessions, contact Bruce Finlay, BSO, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 446-8465.

EVMS Policies

• EVMS Biological Safety Manual
  
• Autoclave Safety Memo
• Biological Laboratory Inspection Memo & Checklist
• Biological Safety Cabinet Certification
• Centrifuge Inspection & Certification
• Use of Open Flames in BSC Policy

Biosafety Links & Information

• Biological Materials Shipping
  • Quick Reference Guide
    
  • Shipping Materials
    • Fisher Scientific
    • All-Pak
    • Therapak
  • Labels
    • IATA
    • Fisher Scientific
    • The Compliance Center, Inc
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Biosafety in the Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratory, 5^th edition (BMBL)
    • BMBL, 5^th edition Changes
• National Institutes of Health 
  • Office of Biotechnology Activities (OBA)
    • Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules
• Biosafety Levels

For biosafety questions or for more information, contact the Biological Safety Officer, Bruce Finlay, at 446-8465 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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