Biological Agents. Biological Agents - definition: A micro-organism (including those which have been genetically modified), a cell culture, and a human.

Biological Agents

Biological Agents - definition: A micro-organism (including those which have been genetically modified), a cell culture, and a human endoparasite which may be able to provoke any infection, allergy or toxicity...

Biological Agents - definition ctd.:…classified into 4 risk groups according to

their level of risk of infection Group 1: Unlikely to cause human

disease.

Group 2: Can cause human disease and might be a hazard to employees but unlikely to spread to the community.

Group 3: Can cause severe human disease and presents a serious hazard to employees and may present a risk of spreading to the community (usually effective prophylaxis or treatment).

Group 4 : Which causes severe human disease and is a serious hazard to employees and may present a high risk of spreading to the community - usually NO effective prophylaxis or treatment).

Put them in order of danger…

Hepatitis B virusFasciola HepaticaEbola virusStaphylococcus aureusE. coli 0103

Class 2Fasciola HepaticaStaphylococcus aureusClass 3Hepatitis B virus (* V D)E. coli 0103 (* T)Class 4Ebola virus

Legislation

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989.

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Biological Agents) Regulations 1994.

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Biological Agents) Amendment Regulations 1998.

Reg. 3 - Employer’s Duties avoid use prevent exposure where risk shown (R.A.)reduce exposure to as low as possibleapply schedule 2good safety & hygiene principles even

where low risknot deliberate work (schedule 1) - comply

with key regs.

Reg.. 4 - Risk Assessment

The process of evaluating and ranking the risks to health and safety at work arising from hazards at the workplace.

Reg.. 4 - Risk Assessment

Review Biological Agent Stop

+Your work /Alter ?? SAFE ??

YES NO

Reg.. 4 - Risk AssessmentAssess risk: nature, degree & duration of

exposure, safety measureswrittenseveral groups: all hazardous agentsrenew regularlyrelevant information: classification,disease

info., potential allergic or toxigenic effectsknowledge of the diseaserecommendations from H.S.A.

RA - Also considerMeans of infectionIf not classified - what likely classification

(err on the higher risk level) Persons at risk..Particularly “Special Risk Gps” e.g.

pregnant employeesThe doseNature of the work

Reg.. 5 - Information/NotificationRA and relevant information to H. S. A.where RA reveals risk to health to provide

appropriate information (RA results, # of employees exposed, emergency plan)

inform H.S.A. of accident/incidentnotification to H.S.A. of 1st time work with

class 2-3 biol. Agents, etc.notification details.

Reg.. 6 - Protective MeasuresNo eating/drinkingprovide suitable PPEsuitable hygiene facilitiesPPE arrangementssample procedures

Reg.. 6 - Protective Measures ctd.work clothes separate from PPEdecont./cleaning procedures -

PPE/clothesapply special protective measures from

RAvaccination procedurerecommendations of Schedule 5

Reg.. 7 - Information, Training…

Provide sufficient training health risks, precautions, hygiene, PPE., accident procedures

other employers/employeeinduction training and updatingwritten instructions, display noticescommunication in the event of an emerg.

Reg.. 8 - Reporting Accidents

Employee’s duty to report any accident/incident.

Reg.. 9 - Records

Record of employee exposed to Gp. 3/4for 10 yearsfor at least 40 years where potential disease

indications neededaccess to personal informationaccess to relevant collective informationaccess to relevant agencies, personnel

Reg.. 10. Health Surveillance

Provide relevant health surveillance

Reg. 10. Healthcare/Veterinary WorkPay particular attention to the risks of this

workPay particular attention to the uncertainties

of such work UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS

Decontamination/dis-infection proceduresWaste proceduresIsolation facilities - Gp 3 or 4

Reg.. 11 - Labs, Animal Rooms

Determine containment measures Gp. 2, 3 or 4 for research, development, teaching or diagnostic purposes.

Carryout work in accordance with relevant containment level

Uncertainty - level 2 may cause disease but not cultivating/concentrating BA

Containment level 3 or 4 when appropriate

Schedules

1 - Indicative list of Activities2 - Risk Reduction Measures3 - Biohazard Sign4 - Classification of Biological

Agents (amended by 1998 Regs).

Schedules

5 - Vaccination Practice6 - Health Surveillance7 - Containment measures/levels8 - Industrial Processes

Hierarchy of Controls - Sch. 2Eliminate - substitute - limit use of

agent;limit number of employees exposed;use engineering controls;minimise releaseuse collective (then individual)

protective measures;

Hierarchy of Controls - Sch. 2

use hygiene measures;use signs;emergency planstesting for agentwaste handlinghandling procedures

Biohazard sign

BLACK ON A YELLOW BACKGROUND

PRACTICAL POINTS

Biological Safety Cabinet

Vrs

Laminar Flow Cabinet

PRACTICAL POINTS

EQUIPMENT

MAINTENANCE

(Including decontamination procedures)

PRACTICAL POINTS

WASTE DISPOSAL

(autoclaving, secure storage)

Resources

Health & Safety Exective (UK) MaterialBS 5726 (1992) - Biological Safety Cabinets

Parts 1-4Codes of PracticeSOPs