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 virus Fasciola Hepatica Ebola virus Staphylococcus aureus E. coli 0103

Class 2 Fasciola Hepatica Staphylococcus aureus Class 3 Hepatitis B virus (* V D) E. coli 0103 (* T) Class 4 Ebola 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 possible apply schedule 2 good safety & hygiene principles even where low risk not 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.

+Your work /Alter ?? SAFE ?? YES NO Reg.. 4 - Risk Assessment Review Biological Agent Stop +Your work /Alter ?? SAFE ?? YES NO

Reg.. 4 - Risk Assessment Assess risk: nature, degree & duration of exposure, safety measures written several groups: all hazardous agents renew regularly relevant information: classification,disease info., potential allergic or toxigenic effects knowledge of the disease recommendations from H.S.A.

RA - Also consider Means of infection If not classified - what likely classification (err on the higher risk level) Persons at risk ..Particularly “Special Risk Gps” e.g. pregnant employees The dose Nature of the work

Reg.. 5 - Information/Notification RA 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/incident notification to H.S.A. of 1st time work with class 2-3 biol. Agents, etc. notification details.

Reg.. 6 - Protective Measures No eating/drinking provide suitable PPE suitable hygiene facilities PPE arrangements sample procedures

Reg.. 6 - Protective Measures ctd. work clothes separate from PPE decont./cleaning procedures - PPE/clothes apply special protective measures from RA vaccination procedure recommendations of Schedule 5

Reg.. 7 - Information, Training… Provide sufficient training health risks, precautions, hygiene, PPE., accident procedures other employers/employee induction training and updating written instructions, display notices communication 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. 3/4 for 10 years for at least 40 years where potential disease indications needed access to personal information access to relevant collective information access to relevant agencies, personnel

Reg.. 10. Health Surveillance Provide relevant health surveillance

Reg. 10. Healthcare/Veterinary Work Pay particular attention to the risks of this work Pay particular attention to the uncertainties of such work UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS Decontamination/dis-infection procedures Waste procedures Isolation 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 Activities 2 - Risk Reduction Measures 3 - Biohazard Sign 4 - Classification of Biological Agents (amended by 1998 Regs).

Schedules 5 - Vaccination Practice 6 - Health Surveillance 7 - Containment measures/levels 8 - Industrial Processes

Hierarchy of Controls - Sch. 2 Eliminate - substitute - limit use of agent; limit number of employees exposed; use engineering controls; minimise release use collective (then individual) protective measures;

Hierarchy of Controls - Sch. 2 use hygiene measures; use signs; emergency plans testing for agent waste handling handling procedures

Biohazard sign BLACK ON A YELLOW BACKGROUND

Biological Safety Cabinet PRACTICAL POINTS Biological Safety Cabinet Vrs Laminar Flow Cabinet

(Including decontamination procedures) PRACTICAL POINTS EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE (Including decontamination procedures)

(autoclaving, secure storage) PRACTICAL POINTS WASTE DISPOSAL (autoclaving, secure storage)

Resources Health & Safety Exective (UK) Material BS 5726 (1992) - Biological Safety Cabinets Parts 1-4 Codes of Practice SOPs