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Department of Biochemistry
School of Molecular Sciences Safe Work Procedure
BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS
Introduction and
University Policy
It is La Trobe University policy that all work conducted with
genetically modified organisms be carried out in accordance with the
guidelines published by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. The
Gene Technology Act 2000 prescribes conditions for conduct, management
and containment of work involving GMOs and delegates authority to
assess, review and approve certain kinds of GM work to Institutional
Biosafety Committees (IBCs).
The La Trobe University Institute Biosafety Committee (called the
Genetic Manipulation Supervisory Committee) meets regularly to review
applications and is chaired by Dr Marilyn Anderson, Department of
Biochemistry. IBCs are also responsible for conducting inspection of
OGTR-certified facilities (e.g. PC2 labs) to ensure that they meet with
guidelines.
Australian Government: Office of the Gene Technology Regulator
Safety and environmental issues in PC2
containment area
Recombinant DNA work and other biological experiments requiring PC2
confinement as defined by the NH&MRC (National Health and Medical
Research Council) must be performed in a PC2 area. As well as observing
all general conduct and housekeeping techniques the following guidelines
must be followed:
• The laboratory door must be closed while any work is in progress.
• Laboratory coats must be removed and hung up before leaving laboratory
and should be laundered at least once a fortnight.
• Hands must be washed before leaving laboratory with an antibacterial
agent (Hibiclens or equivalent, followed by extensive rinsing).
• Equipment used for handling cultures must be autoclaved or disinfected
after use (5% sodium hypochlorite for 30 minutes). Disinfectants must be
made up fresh daily.
• All waste must be autoclaved before final disposal.
• Any material taken from the PC2 laboratory (including waste) must be
carried in a closed unbreakable outer container.
• Procedures that give rise to aerosols (such as centrifugation,
sonication etc) must be performed in the Biological Safety Cabinet or in
aerosol tight containers.
• All work benches should be wiped down with a suitable disinfectant
before and after working in an area.
• Any spills should be cleaned up promptly with a disinfectant solution
(eg. sodium hypochlorite).
• No one should enter a PC2 laboratory for cleaning, servicing of
equipment or any other maintenance without the prior approval of the
senior investigator in charge of the facility. The work areas must be
disinfected before any such maintenance work is carried out.
• All Biological Safety Cabinets must be tested and certified annually.
Imported Biological Material:
The importation of all biological material into Australia requires
the approval of the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS).
Imported diagnostic reagents and other biological products manufactured
from human, animal, plant or microbial sources can be contaminated with
pathogens including viruses. Processing and treatment methods do not
always ensure freedom from contamination. Information concerning the
multi-country origin, processing and safety testing of biological
products is frequently difficult to obtain and so a quarantine policy
has been developed to ensure the safe use and disposal of these
products. It is important therefore that ALL biological material be
regarded as potentially infectious and handled safely and disposed of in
the correct manner.
"Infectious substances" means any substance containing micro-organisms,
helminths or viruses which pose a substantial threat to the health of
human beings or any other beneficial user of the environment due to
their volume or virulence. The School of Molecular Sciences has a legal
obligation to ensure that correct handling and disposal methods are in
place and observed.
Part of the AQIS requirements is that;
• Records are kept of all imported biological material coming into the
Department or being provided to other approved institutions. This
includes up-to-date records of acquisition, use and disposal.
• A procedure is developed and documented for all members of staff
outlining safety techniques and disposal methods.
• New staff and students are made aware of the potential risk to the
community and environment of imported biological material and handle and
treat it accordingly.
• That the handling and disposal of imported biological waste be a
standing agenda item for the Department Safety Committees.
• Permission is required from AQIS to transfer imported biological
material to a non-approved institution or organisation.
Strict compliance with these regulations will enable a continuing permit
for the Department to use imported biological material for in vitro and
in vivo research and teaching.
• Applications to import the following items will still be assessed
separately on a case by case basis.
• Live micro-organisms
• Cell lines
• Material requiring importation approval from the Biohazards Committee
eg. manipulated DNA
• Genetic material derived from pathogenic micro-organisms or from other
sources which cannot be guaranteed free of pathogenic micro-organisms.
• Body fluids, blood proteins, hormones and enzymes of human and animal
origin that are dispensed in quantities of more than 10 mL or 10 g.
• Biological products required for administration to humans, animals or
plants will be regarded as potentially high risk products and a separate
application must be accompanied by full details of origin, processing,
safety testing and use in Australia.
• All human tissue or blood products must be regarded as potentially
Hepatitis B and AIDS-infected and must be handled and disposed of
accordingly. It is therefore recommended that all people handling human
biological material be immunised against Hepatitis B. Any member of
staff can request to be tested for Hepatitis B or AIDS.
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